2001 MAGICIAN OF THE YEAR CRISS ANGEL
UNLEASHES A NEW BREED OF LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
IN AN INTIMATE SPACE IN THE HEART OF TIMES SQUARE
* * *
CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK
EXTENDS PERFORMANCES TO JANUARY 2003
AT THE WORLD UNDERGROUND THEATRE
Criss Angel, a post-modern illusionist recently named
2001 Magician of the Year, brings his mind blowing new
form of entertainment to New York’s Times Square
in his latest production, Criss Angel MINDFREAK, at The
World Underground Theatre (Broadway and 43rd St.). The
groundbreaking Criss Angel MINDFREAK began performances
on November 23rd and continues to bring the seemingly
impossible ‘up close and in your face’ in a
150-seat intimate space with the audience surrounding
the action on all sides. Presented by Tableau Entertainment
and featuring an internationally renowned creative team,
Criss Angel MINDFREAK has just extended to January 2003.
The critics raved about this revolutionary new show
at the World Underground Theatre: “Utterly captivating!
A devilishly clever, magical show”(The New York
Post); “Remarkable and entertaining” (The
New York Times); “A splashy spectacle, engaging
and eye-popping” (The Daily News); “Angel
would eat David Copperfield’s liver with a nice
Chianti and spit a bat’s head in David Blaine’s
face…” (Time Out New York) And, on a recent
appearance, Howard Stern called Criss Angel “an
amazing illusionist—the best I’ve ever seen!”
Several years in development, Criss Angel MINDFREAK
is a provocative journey through the mind, body and
spirit that stands in supernatural defiance of all logical
reason. Otherworldly creatures assist Criss Angel as
he discards the conventional tools of his trade and
redefines centuries of tradition. The audience is in
such close proximity to the spectacular mind-altering
illusions in Criss Angel MINDFREAK that they are left
to wonder if they will ever be able to trust their senses
again.
Criss Angel MINDFREAK has been created, directed and
produced by Criss Angel. The show features an original
music score by Criss Angel and Klayton. The Criss Angel
MINDFREAK soundtrack will be released this spring by
APITRAG Records, making it Criss’ fifth CD available
to the public.
“We’re thrilled to have Criss Angel MINDFREAK
launching our new cabaret-style theater,” said
Kenton Jenkins, Vice President/General Manager of The
World Underground Theatre. “When I first met Criss
and learned his vision for MINDFREAK, I knew it would
be something special and unique appearing in the heart
of Times Square. His style helps us set a tone as to
the type of entertainment we will be showcasing at The
World Underground Theater.”
Criss Angel MINDFREAK boasts an elite creative team
from the worlds of film and live performance. Production
design is by John Farrell (countless theatre productions
and Radio City’s Spring and Christmas Spectaculars),
movement consultation by renowned choreographer Debra
Brown (Cirque Du Soleil’s O, Mystere and Quidam,
and the Madonna Drowned World Tour 2001), creature design
and construction by the award-winning Steve Johnson
(Species, The Abyss, Men in Black, Blade) and lighting
design by seven-time Tony Award winners Jules Fisher
and Peggy Eisenhauer.
Criss Angel began studying both music and the art of
illusion at an early age. As a teenager, he also studied
martial arts, dance and pyrotechnics (he became a holder
of state and federal pyrotechnic licenses at the earliest
legal age). His love of performing flourished when he
combined his many talents into a unique brand of entertainment.
Twelve years later, he has received praise from some
of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
Acclaimed film director Clive Barker has said, “Criss
Angel is extraordinary – a spectacular mix of visionary
magic and post-apocalyptic chic. This is the future
and it can’t come quickly enough.” Matt Pinfield
of MTV calls Criss Angel “brilliant, the post-modern
Houdini and the man in whose hands the future of magic
lies.” He also calls Angel’s music “excellent,
awesome – great songs that get stuck in your head.”
Of his own work, Criss Angel says, “One of the
major challenges was to create the kind of illusions,
music and other creative elements that would seamlessly
meld and yet maintain the integrity of each art form.
I want the audience to connect emotionally to each moment
and for the lines of reality and illusion to be blurred.
I believe that’s what keeps people on the edge
of their seats.” Angel has captivated audiences
on an ABC primetime special and his feature appearances
on The Howard Stern Show, NBC, FOX, MSG, MTV, E!, Metro
Television, TNN, Channel 11, The Learning Channel, UPN,
and The Discovery Channel. As a creator and consultant
on illusions and special effects, his creative input
played an integral role in many marketing campaigns,
including several national Milton Bradley Magic Works
commercials, the Random House book The Life And Many
Deaths of Harry Houdini, and for campaigns for Harley
Davidson and Tannens (the largest shop in the world
serving the practioners of illusion). He’s been
featured in many books, including The Magic World of
the Amazing Randi (Bob Adams) and Conjuring (St. Martin’s
Press).
On February 20th, Criss astounded more than 75,000
people in Times Square when he set a world record for
a body suspension as he hung for five hours and 40 minutes
from eight fishhooks while passer-bys stared in wonder
and amazement.
Master illusionist, escapologist, songwriter, vocalist,
movement artist, visionary, Criss Angel is an unparalleled
entertainer who catapults the art of illusion into the
21st Century.
You can read the article here.
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