DISCOVERING MAGIC Set for The Players' Ring, 12/26-27

Absolutely Magic and Andrew Pinard will present Discovering Magic at The Players' Ring, 105 Marcy Street, Portsmouth NH as part of the Main Stage Series on December 26 (shows at 2, 5, and 8pm) and 27 (shows at 2 and 5pm). Tickets are $15 with discounts for students, seniors, and Players' Ring members. To reserve, visit www.playersring.org or call 603-436-8123.

Once upon a time. In the beginning. A long time ago.

Memorable stories start with a great opening line. While the performing arts tend to focus on telling stories in which the audience are mainly observers, the wonderful thing about a performance of magic is that it creates a story in which the audience is an active participant.

Ever since he was a little boy, Andrew Pinard has wondered about the world and marveled at the ways people interact with it and each other. He has spent much of his life seeking answers, often only to find more questions. Along the way he has picked up some interesting answers, some odd stories and some truly unusual skills. Rather than trafficking in the impossible, his performances beg the question: what might be possible?

When Discovering Magic last appeared in December at The Player's Ring it played for sold out houses. Back for a second "annual" series of shows, this "mind-numbing, jaw-dropping, eye-opening" experience takes audiences on a guided tour of the impossible and the absurd. Using only the most ordinary of objects, accomplished actor, conjuror, puppeteer, storyteller, and award-winning performer Andrew Pinard brings the ordinary to life with the most surprising results. The only show of its kind in the New England, audiences have traveled from throughout New England and beyond to experience sleight of hand, con games, psychology, history, science, comedy, cognitive development, political spin, and more through the eyes of a "perceptual engineer" on his quest to explore distortion and guile. Culled from his popular monthly performances elsewhere and abroad, Andrew has put together a whole new show for the holiday season guaranteed to please audiences.

There is an aphorism that says that the one who dies with the most toys wins; Pinard believe that the one who collects the most stories is actually far richer. Experience Discovering Magic for yourself and add another story to your collection.

After the premiere performance, Rick Broussard, Editor of New Hampshire Magazine, wrote: "Your show is remarkable, Andrew. Anyone who hasn't seen it owes it to themselves to go." Others recent attendees said, "Awesome show! The perfect balance of amazement and humor." and "Excellent show! Engaging, humorous and constantly surprising! A wonderful evening!"

About The Players' Ring: Since 1992, the mission of The Players' Ring has been to promote the efforts of local artists through the production of original works, while providing an affordable theatre space to local production companies. "The Ring" provides an environment where artists can thrive, grow, take risks and make daring choices.

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