If you grew up in the 80s (like I did) and were even remotely interested in magic (like I was), then David Copperfield was the man. During fifth and sixth grade I was really into magic. My dad gave me a couple of books on magic and my parents took me down to Hecklers more than one to buy color-changing scarfs and other gimmicked props. In sixth grade, I (along with my friends Jeremy and Jason) even performed a magic show for our class, and some of the younger kids in our school library.
Earlier today, Susan bought four “half price show tickets” to go see David Copperfield here in the MGM Grand. Even at half price, four tickets will set you back more than three hundred bucks. I wasn’t even sure if Morgan would understand the show. Mason I knew would dig it; then again, he dug the show at Freemont Street last night, and that was free. With the tickets already purchased, there was little I could do but hope that the kids enjoyed the show.
At the beginning of David Copperfield’s show, the magician encourages everyone to pull out their cell phones and send him a message on Twitter. I did. Later in the show he reminded the audience about Twitter, so I sent him a second one. This was right after he had launched a dozen giant, silver beach balls out into the audience. My message to him was, “We just had our hands on your (silver) balls!”
At the end of the show, I received a response from D_Copperfield: “Hi! Wait under the TV at the front right side if you are facing the stage.I will have someone meet you after the show.”
The four of us did as we were told, and were soon met by a member of his staff. After asking to see my phone and visually confirm the tweet, the four of us were pulled backstage into a secure area; then, after talking into her walkie talkie, our escort pulled us into a second area. Moments later, a pair of doors swung open and out popped Mr. Copperfield himself!
We got to shake hands, congratulate him on the show, take a picture and get an autograph, and that was that. There was a flash of light, a puff of smoke, and David Copperfield disappeared before our eyes! (I just made that last part up. In reality, he went back through the doors and we were escorted back out into the theater.) I’d say we were backstage for no more than two minutes.
Even though it was brief, it made me feel like a kid again. I remember all those specials — escaping from Alcatraz, making the Statue of Liberty disappear, walking through the Great Wall of China — and for two minutes, I felt like that little kid in awe again.
Go see Penn and Teller if you want to meet cool magicians. They both stand outside the theater after their show and mingle with the entire audience. I hear Copperfield is a stuck up.
Sounds like you had a great time.
I still have his autograph when he performed at the Brady Theater back in the early 90’s.
Once again your quick wit paid off! Now aren’t you glad Susan got the tickets. You can’t put a price on this kind of memory, for you OR the kids!
Does David Copperfield insist on Vaseline on the camera lens when photographed ?
This is awesome. Though I’d be cautious of anyone who wants to meet you after sending them a text filled with innuendo. Even if he can make elephants disappear and whatnot.
Yeah, I had some kid-crud on my iPhone camera lens, which we discovered too late. It was a one-shot deal.
Rob and I saw Penn & Teller a couple of years ago at the RIO during an anniversary trip to Vegas. Not only did P&T stand out in the lobby and visit with everyone, sign autographs, etc., they sort of ‘in disguise’ were with us as we filled in the theatre to get our seats.
They were playing in a pre-show band. Penn plays bass and was sitting literally feet away from us for a very long time. He had his hair down and a hat on, but Rob and I noticed his painted pinkie nail immediately and just kind of enjoyed the secret while the rest of the audience was oblivious. We had second-row tickets to that one so we were ‘really’ close.