A contemporary feel-good spin on magic from "America's Got Talent" Season 9 winner -- and the only magician to claim that title to date.
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**Show schedules vary.
(This show was reviewed in the September 2015 LVA; some of the information contained in the review may no longer be accurate.)
The word “reinvent” can mean many things, but at its core, it means doing something that’s been done before, only in a different way. It’s an apt word for this new show at The LINQ, which incorporates plentiful moves and tricks that have been around magic, and Las Vegas showrooms, for years. “He didn’t do anything that I couldn’t do,” commented a hobbyist magician who viewed the show with us on opening night. He then went on to compliment Franco’s personality and staging. His point was, while the act is fresh, the magic isn’t exceptional in the eyes of experts. But so what? Hardly anyone will see it with those kind of trained eyes. The audience at The LINQ was enthralled and that’s what matters.
Mat Franco, the Season 9 winner of “America’s Got Talent,” puts on a fast-paced and lively show, supported by impressive multi-media staging that enhances several of his presentations. There’s no big-box magic; it’s almost all close-up, and Franco’s formidable sleight-of-hand skills produce plenty of how-did-he-do-that? moments for 99% of the audience.
Also reinvented is The LINQ Theater. The previously weathered home of Legends in Concert is now a sparkly venue with art-deco tables and chairs that sit on a carpeted floor. Viewing can be challenging in close-up shows, but it’s well-covered here by big screens that allow you to follow the action. If you’re a fan of magic, this is an entertaining 75 minutes that will also give you an opportunity to check out the new LINQ. The show is a good option for kids, too.