So I'm on the phone with an up-and-coming young magician, R.J. CANTU last night, and Fielding West's name comes up.
Later, while Skyping my old friend, superstar Masked Magician VALENTINO, we take turns sharing Fielding West quotes.
As I'm working on a late night idea for JUSTIN KREDIBLE, who, so you'll know, is the most magicial thing to happen on college campuses since mushrooms, I find my mind drifting to the comedy of Fielding West.
I HEART FIELDING
If Lance Burton is Frank Sinatra, Fielding West is Joey Bishop.
Fielding is the guy behind the guy, but also the guy front and center. Fielding is the man.
Several years ago, during the run of a hugely succussful Las Vegas magic production show, one that Fielding emceed, one where I handled the headliner, (oh, and the show starred the great singer Tim Sercey, 16 sexy girls and 8 hot boy dancers as well as the best specialty acts from around the world), I really came to respect FIELDING WEST. He was the glue that held it all together, and here's why:
Magic, when well produced and professionally presented, is a little off-putting. Audiences are so wrapped-up in the 'How did he do that?" that they often neglect to applaud or remember to enjoy themselves. THAT'S where Fileding comes in. You see, FIELDING WEST is Everyman, so instantly identifable that people tend to see the show through his eyes. And that, my friend, is one hell of a trick- to get a Las Vegas audience, made up of people from all walks of life, who have come to town from all parts of the world, to 'get' you. (NOTE to producer Patrick Jackson- let's bring back Abracadabra!!!)
FIELDING WEST is such a great magician and such a natural comedian; it's like Leonardo DiCaprio's acting- you never catch him doing it. He's that good.
If you wanna see a great DVD, check-out "Fielding West: Live from Las Vegas.''
www.fieldingwest.com
