Kirby VanBurch

I start every review this way. Let me start off by saying that I am a 70 year old trapped in a 29-year-old body. I say that because I am in love with Branson and always have been. I have vacationed in Branson almost every year since birth, and seen too many shows to remember. I consider myself a real Branson critic.

4-10-06 Heath Hawkins: There are some things in the world that are almost unbelievable, things that absolutely blow my mind. I had the opportunity to witness a show that fits into that unbelievable and mind blowing category. The new Kirby VanBurch show is, without a doubt, the best magic show in Branson.

Kirby VanBurch is both a Branson and magic icon. After all, he has the title “The Prince of Magic.” I saw his show during, what had to be, one of his first seasons in Branson. He appeared with a comedian in a show called VanBurch and Wellford. I was a teenager then, but I sill remember those amazing animals and inspiring illusions.

Well, the comedian is long since gone and many changes have been made, but for me the same magic is still in the air.

Don't get me wrong. I am in no way suggesting that Kirby is still performing the same tricks. Over the years, I have seen him many times. Every show is different. In this show - so much is new, it was almost like my first time all over again.

Kirby makes no claims that he has a variety show with music and comedy. People know what to expect when they purchase a ticket. They are there to see a magic show, and boy, does Kirby deliver! There is plenty of music, dancing, a ton of costumes and even comedy but the center of everything is still MAGIC.

The first 15 minutes of his show is worth the full admission price. I have seen most of the magic shows in town. I would not be surprised if there weren’t more illusions in the first few minutes than in the entirety of most magic shows in Branson.

He does most of his older illusions in the first half. Assistants are cut apart, twisted, speared, turned into tigers, panthers and even snakes. With the help of a kid from the audience, he even walks through a solid mirror panel. He and Bambi, his wife and assistant, also do their signature mentalist illusion. Bambi is blindfolded and faces the back of the stage. She is able to identify random objects supplied by members of the audience. You will leave in disbelief of this one.

I mentioned before that Kirby does one illusion with the help of a volunteer from the audience. This is a tradition with him. He will choose a child in the audience to help inspect the trick. Before the volunteer leaves the stage, they have their picture taken with Kirby. The pictures serves as a FREE pass to the show anytime they want. Kirby shares how many of the kids do return and they do keep in touch. One of them even came to work for Kirby in the show. This is a very special time where you get a glimpse into Kirby’s heart.

I was running a little late getting to the show, so during intermission I decided to look around the theatre. The production company that Kirby works with made major renovations to the theatre. Other than a name change to the Kirby VanBurch Theatre, the outside is pretty much the same. The inside, however, received major reconstructive surgery.

There is an amazing lost treasure exotic fish tank that almost reaches the ceiling. For the kids, there is a perfect photo opportunity with a replica of King Arthur’s famous 'sword and the stone'. Antique posters of master magicians of the past also adorn the walls. There is even an area were a unicorn is on display. Yes, you heard me correctly; a unicorn plays an important role in the second half of the show.

The gift shop is a magician's dream. There is fun to be had for all ages here. Of course, there are the usual t-shirts and videos, but Kirby’s gift shop also has magic tricks and stage illusions that even professional magicians will appreciate.

When the second part of the show got underway I was so excited to see more new illusions. Kirby performs one illusion that is designed to give the audience a backstage look at magic. You get to see what only the magician and his assistants see. I watched from the back, and I still have no idea how the trick worked.

Bambi also has the opportunity to prove that Kirby is not the only magician in the family. She performs two illusions in this half of the show. I am still cringing about one of them. She had two birds. One is a solid white duck and the other is a red chicken. The audience actually sees her remove their heads and swap them. My mind told me that this was impossible, but my eyes seemed to have problems believing my mind. I did not know if I should be sick or stunned—maybe both. Either way, WOW!

We also learn of Bambi’s childhood dream about unicorns. Her dream comes true as she rides out on stage on a beautiful white unicorn. Then Kirby is able to make the unicorn with Bambi on it vanish right before your eyes.

The last huge illusion of the show was the one that made Kirby famous in the world of magic. He actually makes a full-size helicopter appear on stage in just seconds. It appears out of nowhere. An assistant even comes out of the cockpit and the propellers are spinning.

I am an amateur magician myself. My wife and I travel to churches and camps performing as Christian Illusionists. We do small illusions, not the major stage illusions that Kirby and Bambi do. One draw back to being a magician is that we often find that we are knowledgeable enough about the principles of magic to understand how the tricks are done. I have to say that Kirby’s show is an exception. Though I have a few of them figured out, most of the tricks stump me, too.

As I just mentioned, Candi and I do a Christian Illusion show called 'Magic With A Message'. We use illusion to show the power of God. Kirby is one of our inspirations. I am always touched by the way he closes every show. He performs an illusion that allows him to share his testimony and his faith in Jesus Christ. He explains that he does only tricks, but God is a real miracle worker.

Kirby is not perfect. We all make mistakes. He is still willing to share his convictions from his heart. This is a genuine aspect of his show that lets his audience know that he has a real love for them. He could choose to remove any illusion from his show and I would never miss it, unless it was this simple illusion with a rope and his heart. I hope it stays in always.

With at least five big magic shows in Branson, it can seem a daunting task to make a decision about which one to see. Before I saw Kirby’s new show I had my favorites. Now I have a new favorite. Kirby is amazing and his show is a MUST!

I would be remiss to close without my normal theatre seat review. Though I am not positive, I think that new seats must have been part of the theatre remodel. You do have to walk down stairs to get to the front seats, but they are very comfortable, dare I say 'magically comfortable'.

Kirby performs at the Kirby VanBurch Theatre. The theatre is located at 2353 Hwy 248 near the Tri-Lakes Center. Show times vary from afternoon to evening slots throughout the season, so check their schedule for times while you are in town. For more information or to reserve tickets call the theatre at (417) 337-7140. Tell them that Heath from the Branson Critic Online sent you.

What do you think? Your opinion is your opinion. Let me know at hhawkins@waynesville.k12.mo.us.
 

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