by Michael Buzzelli
Glamour is often associated with romantic attractiveness, but it can also be used to describe an illusion or a magic spell. In “Indulgence,” Lucy Darling (Carisa Hendrix) is glamour personified in both meanings of the word.
The magician has become an Internet sensation, best known for her crowd work, riffing with her audience, improvising. In a petite venue like Liberty Magic, nearly half the audience gets a moment in the spotlight with well-coifed. elegantly dressed meteoric media star.
Her crowd work ensures that every night is different when mixing it up with her fans. The comedy is hilarious. There were several laugh out loud moments, especially a bit where she answers hand-written notes written by the audience. In Thursday night’s show, there were several moments of serendipity, a man asking a personal problem in his downstairs area happened to be sitting near a gynecologist. While his organ was not her area of expertise, it made for some riotous laughter.
Side note: In an effort to remain impartial, I had to reveal that I was reviewing her show for ‘Burgh Vivant, which acted as a “Get Out of Jail Free” card, excluding me from participating. She did, however, manage to jibe and sling barbs in my direction.
The magic tricks are scattered throughout the show, between the comedy bits, but they are utterly astonishing. Darling made objects appear from seemingly nowhere. Since she was wearing a sleeveless ensemble, there were no sleeves to hide any objects.
Consider dropping the extra dough for the Skeleton Key, its a VIP experience with Darling, where she lets her hair down (metaphorically). Lucy Darling reverts to Carisa Hendrix, detailing her life in Saskatchewan, while doing some closeup magic. Skeleton Key holders also get a photo op with the magician.
Indulge in a night of guilty pleasure and see some amazing feats of magic in “Indulgence.”
-MB
Lucy Darling’s show, Indulgence, plays until June 22 at Liberty Magic, 811 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For tickets and more information, go here.
