Fringe Review

“Real Magic” by Jordan Allen at the KC Oasis

Jordan Allen proves that magic can be enchanting and captivating without flashy production values or stage effects. Genial, genuine and unassuming, the Kentucky native is a refreshing antithesis to more infamous names like Copperfield or Criss Angel. Allen’s intimate, interactive, and family-friendly magic act showcases a wide variety of up-close sleight of hand illusions, mind-reading and more, with storytelling, magic history and how-tos mixed in.

Allen performs on a nearly-bare stage — and often, walks right into the crowd — with no fancy props or lighting schemes to hide behind. Instead, he encourages all to see “magic in the mundane,” and invites you to come close and have a laugh, and hopefully a “wow” moment (or three) with him and your fellow audience members.

Allen appears so mild-mannered (or, is perhaps a skilled-enough actor) that it’s hard to tell if some claims of unsurety and onstage fumbling are part of his actual personality, or part of the act. Perhaps opening night of the KC Fringe was his first public attempt at one or two of his baffling illusions – or maybe he very convincingly gives that impression in order to intensify the stakes.

This show is a treat for magic enthusiasts and newcomers alike. As Allen points out, an increasing percentage of Americans have never seen magic performed live. “Real Magic” achieves this with a perfect mix of sincerity and flair.

— Megan Keathley