BWW JR: MARIO THE MAGICIAN

Special thanks to Milena Barrett of Be Your Best Mom for this report.

Mario the Magician and His Suitcase Machine

You say a magic show for kids in a jazz club? I love New York just because of things like this. It was the perfect place for this modern day comic magician to perform.

The Metropolitan Room was both elegant and cozy. The tables had been moved away from the stage allowing room for the children to sit front and center, while booths lined the perimeter. The cabaret like environment allowed the adults to feel a bit of sophistication, which is something that is lacking from most children's productions, but at the same time the space remained kid friendly. My children delighted in the hot chocolates that they ordered while my husband and I enjoyed a beer. Then the show began.

The show begins with a movie introducing us to Mario the Magician. The children listened quietly as we learned about Mario and how he found magic. When he came out onstage it was as if we were meeting an old friend. The brief movie gave us a moment to connect with Mario. We were sold and he did not disappoint. From the moment Mario the Magician came out on stage he had every single child's attention. His slapstick comedy routine was modern and edgy. Not at all corny which is something I have unfortunately come to expect at a children's performance. The adults seemed to enjoy the performance as much as the children. I know I did. I haven't laughed like that in a long time. It was brilliant.

Mario's self - designed props and his suitcase machine helped weave the magic and comedy together. He had the audience under his spell, as he made them part of his show. While a few children got the opportunity to go up on stage and help he did his share of interacting with everyone. Now if you are looking for grand illusions you aren't going to get them here. You will however get slight of hand tricks that are delivered with such finesse that Mario actually makes the predictable, unpredictable. Now I'm not going to give anything away, but no rabbit are involved in this production. However, you will get to meet Mario's sidekick a white dove named Mozzarella. Mario also accomplished what every great performer hopes to do, he left us all wanting more.

Mario The Magician and His Magic Suitcase Machine is playing on selected Saturday mornings through July 5^th at 11:30 A.M. at Metropolitan Room 34 West 22^nd St, Flatiron district, (212) 206-0440, metropolitanroom.com; $30; $20 for children; with a minimum of one menu item.

Milena Barrett is a freelance writer and owner of Be Your Best Mom.com where she offers her readers reviews, giveaways and a smidge of real life parenting stories from her life. She enjoys photography, art, and has a love/hate relationship with exercise. She lives in New York's Hudson Valley with her husband, two sons, and neurotic cat.

@BroadwayWorldJr

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