Kevin Spencer and his wife, Cindy, may have received the prestigious Merlin Award from the International Magicians Society, but he said connecting with people remains paramount.
“What I would say our biggest accomplishment is the fact we’ve been able to bring our show to many people around the world and expose them to something they might not have been exposed to otherwise,” said Spencer, who grew up in Rensselaer, Ind., and now lives in Bedford County, Va.
Spencers: Theatre of lllusion returns to Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts in University Park on May 3 after more than a decade with what he called a dramatically different show including some audience members being recruited to assist with tricks on stage.
“We’ve taken all the elements from the Broadway productions, all of those really wonderful elements, and we’ve wrapped them around some pretty cool tricks that were created for me or designed for my show. A lot of the illusions are things people haven’t seen before,” he said.
“It’s not coming to a theater-type production. It really is more rock concert than magic show.”
Spencer said one of his favorite tricks is the finale. “It’s a man vs. machine thing. You turn on the big industrial fan. While blades are spinning, I pull my body through to the other side. It’s my rock star moment of the show.”
The GSU performance is bittersweet for the Spencers, who have toured their large production for 31 years.
“Our show at University Park is our final performance. We both have mixed feelings about it. This is all we’ve ever known, but we’re so excited about this next venture,” Spencer said.
“We’re going to keep a small show, a 70-minute show, more low-tech than what we’re going to be doing at University Park. It’s going to be more of a sensory-friendly type of performance so families with children with disabilities can bring them to a show.”
Spencer also leads a Healing of Magic workshop for occupational therapists and other therapy professionals May 2 in GSU’s E-Lounge.
“One of the things I love about the campus there is they have a very strong occupational therapy program,” said Spencer who credited OT and physical therapy with helping him bounce back from injuries after a near-fatal car accident.
“As a former recovering patient, I know the importance of providing activities that are motivational and fun. Play is such an important part of who we are as people and how we develop. We are trying to spread the message that the arts can be such a powerful part of how we live, learn, work and heal.”
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter with the Daily Southtown.
Spencers: Theatre of Illusion
When: 2 p.m. May 3
Where: Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts, 1 University Parkway, University Park
Tickets: $25, or $10 for ages 16 and younger
Information: 708-235-2222, centertickets.net or spencersmagic.com
Etc.: Kevin Spencer’s Healing of Magic workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2 in GSU’s E-Lounge for $100 (includes lunch); registration: govst.edu/oce/healingmagic
