MAGIC

Aug 23-29, 2002

Prices include taxes and fees and may change without notice. Shows are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

CAESARS MAGICAL EMPIRE
A new twist on the disappearing dinner show, this ambitious project is something of a scripted Disney ride in which customers are transported to underground chambers for quality dining and tableside magic. Then it's off to a central rotunda for fiery special effects, the chance to hang out at quirky watering holes or play around on the rocking and rolling "Forbidden Crypt of Ramses." A pair of beautifully designed and intimate rooms offer some of the best magicians in the business. The Majestix, Daryl and Alain Nu will perform through Aug. 31. Shows are Tuesdays through Saturdays. Dinner service begins at 4:30 p.m. Show and dinner, $75.50. Tickets are two-for-$99 for Las Vegas residents; $19.50 for children 5-12. Show only, $26.50; $10 for children 5-12. 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 731-7333.

DIXIE DOOLEY
Dixie Dooley performs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Magic Star Casino. Admission is free. Dooley also performs his close-up magic show will occasional guest performers at 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturday. Admission is free. 2000 S. Boulder Highway. 558-6454.

'THE HOUDINI EXPERIENCE'
"The Houdini Experience," starring Dixie Dooley, will be presented at 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at the Greek Isles. $51.50, includes one drink. Children are half-price. 305 Convention Center Drive. 737-5540.

'THE ILLUSIONARY MAGIC OF RICK THOMAS'
Thomas is an affable, charming, and very tall (6-foot-4) star of a well-paced magic show that makes for a pleasant hour in the afternoon, even if it relies too much on generic cabinet tricks and lovely assistant/white tiger switches. But the host has worked hard to make the show his own, and this rating would be higher if Thomas were graded only against his afternoon competition or by the relative value of his tickets. (7/21/00 M.W.) "The Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas" will be presented at 2 and 4 p.m. daily, except Fridays, in the Tiffany Theatre at the Tropicana. $19.65-$25.15. 3801 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 739-2222.

'JOHNNY O: MASTER OF MAGIC'
"Johnny O: Master of Magic" will be presented at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the Greek Isles. $21.95. 305 Convention Center Drive. 737-5540.

'LANCE BURTON: MASTER MAGICIAN'
This nice-guy Kentucky magician is a homegrown success story, having built an amazing 15-minute "dove act" (which still opens the show) into a consistently colorful and fun revue in a Victorian-styled theater that's unique in its own right. Burton's knack for incorporating small fry makes this arguably the best show on the Strip for families. (4/12/02 M.W.) "Lance Burton: Master Magician" will be presented at 7 and 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays in the Lance Burton Theatre at the Monte Carlo. $54.95-$59.95, includes souvenir book. 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 730-7160.

'THE MAC KING COMEDY MAGIC SHOW'
The best of the afternoon shows is a carefully constructed one-man affair. King is a childlike comedy-magician in a ragtime-era plaid suit, laughing at his own jokes and reacting to his illusions with wide-eyed surprise. He displays a quick wit with his audience volunteers -- five per show -- but the magic still manages to be puzzling enough to assert itself amid the laughs. (8/24/01 M.W.) "The Mac King Comedy Magic Show," will be presented at 1 and 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays in the Comedy Cabaret at Harrah's Las Vegas. $16.45. 3475 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 369-5111.

'MAGIC ALL-STARS'
"Magic All-Stars" will be presented at 2 p.m. Fridays in the Roundtable Showroom at the New Frontier. $16.95 or the purchase of two drinks. 3120 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 794-8200.

'MELINDA -- FIRST LADY OF MAGIC'
The Strip's homegrown female magician has matured into a stylish, contemporary revue headliner while retaining a Gidget-like sweetness (think Chrissy on "Three's Company") that works well in audience participation bits. The show moves along with a brassy, pop-video look, energetic dancers and current music. But the actual magic is fairly routine, constricted by a stage designed for bands, not big productions. (2/2/01 M.W.) "Melinda -- First Lady of Magic" will be presented at 6 p.m. Thursdays through Tuesdays in the Showroom at The Venetian. $22-$77. 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 948-3007.

'THE NEW ART OF MAGIC'
"The New Art of Magic," starring Dirk Arthur, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays in the showroom at the Silverton. Tickets are $22.45, including a two-for-one drink and a buffet coupon. 3333 Blue Diamond Road. 914-8556.

'PAULA PAUL'S SEXY SECRETS REVEALED'
"Paula Paul's Sexy Secrets Revealed" will be presented at 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the Greek Isles. $43.95. 305 Convention Center Drive. 737-5540.

'SHOWGIRLS OF MAGIC'
There's room on the Strip for little shows, too, and this San Remo venue that looks crowded with 120 people offers close-up scrutiny of illusions you find in most of the big magic shows -- plus the fact that the magicians are topless (in the second show, anyway). Like his bigger show for sister Melinda, producer David Saxe keeps things moving fast and funny, and the bits short and energetic. (4/6/01 M.W.) "Showgirls of Magic" will be presented at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays in the Parisian Cabaret at the San Remo. $29.75 for the 8 p.m. covered show and $35 for the 10:30 topless show, no one under 21 will be admitted. Prices include two drinks. 115 E. Tropicana Ave. 597-6028.

'SIEGFRIED & ROY'
This lavish and groundbreaking production starring the German-born magicians and longtime Las Vegans remains unequaled via its theatrical scope, and world-class staging and lighting design. The duo's signature white lions and tigers are an added lure to an illusion-packed extravaganza that pits the heroes against fire-breathing dragons and other evil forces. However, the good guys prevail with remarkable escapes and supplement their shining knight heroism with well-executed magical feats that continue to enrapture audiences. "Siegfried & Roy" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Sundays through Tuesdays and 7:30 and 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in the Siegfried & Roy Theatre at The Mirage. $105.50, includes two drinks and a souvenir program. The show will be closed through Thursday. 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 792-7777.

'SIEGFRIED & ROY PRESENT DARREN ROMEO, THE VOICE OF MAGIC'
Without the "Siegfried & Roy" name in the cumbersome title, this showcase for their 26-year-old protégé would stand as a well-crafted show with a novel twist: the magician sings, almost continually. But the show's imagination doesn't match its resources. Romeo offers mostly stock illusions, and the real possibilities for a singing magician remain unexplored. (6/14/02 M.W.) "Siegfried & Roy Present Darren Romeo, The Voice of Magic" will be presented at 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays in the Siegfried & Roy Theatre at The Mirage. $30, includes one drink. 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 792-7777.

'THE SOUL OF MAGIC'
Victor & Diamond (Cephas) are a husband-and-wife team of magicians who more typically work as a 15-minute variety act, but here stretch their impressive opening bird segment into a pleasant hour. Comedic specialty act Roy Shank adds needed variety, making the show a good family bargain for those who look around for discount coupons. "The Soul of Magic" will be presented at 2 p.m. Saturdays through Thursdays in the Roundtable Showroom at the New Frontier. $16.45, includes one drink. Two-for-one admission is available to all locals. Call for information on special Hero's promotion. 3120 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 794-8200.

'THAT'S MAGIC'
"That's Magic," starring Christian Augustine, will be presented at 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and 4 p.m. Sundays at the Greek Isles. $30, includes one drink. 305 Convention Center Drive. 737-5540.

STEVE WYRICK
How does a magician with little name recognition compete on the Strip? Congenial Texan Steve Wyrick packs an aeronautically themed show with impressive stagecraft. Elaborate scenery dresses up illusions such as the "Blades of Death" and a walk through a jet turbine. The theme-park approach makes this a good choice for families, even if the production almost overwhelms Wyrick's low-key persona. (2/2/01 M.W.) Steve Wyrick will perform at 7 and 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays and Mondays at the Sahara. Admission is $45.95-$56.95. 2535 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 737-2111.