‘Variety Live’ to include magic, music and more
Summerlin will be the site of a show that harkens back to the Ed Sullivan format of years gone by but has been updated for a modern twist.
"Variety Live" is slated for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Starbright Theatre, 2215 Thomas W. Ryan Blvd.
"It’s vaudeville, a variety show that will appeal to those age 8 to 88," said Paul Stone, international producer.
His show features the multi-faceted magician Jason Andrews, juggler Kip Reynolds and the illusions of Leslie McKinney. "Variety Live" includes comedy, music and a few other surprises, too.
Andrews has been wowing people with his magic tricks since he was 12. His biggest venue to date has seen him performing before 3,500 people — not just people but fellow magicians. The venue was a magic convention in South Carolina.
"These were my peers," Andrews said. "Knowing I (earned) their approval, that made me feel good."
He earned more than approval. He has received 24 international awards in his craft.
Expect some parlor magic from Andrews, some manipulation tricks and a couple of original grand illusions such as his disco sword basket and a girl who is there one moment and gone the next.
Don’t be surprised if he invites some kid — or someone who thinks he’s a kid — on stage to lend him a hand.
Andrews is fresh from a two-week engagement in London and is scheduled to leave for China soon.
Also in the show is McKinney, who has his wife, Lorie, act as his assistant. They’ve been married two years, together for 13, and he’s still trying to saw her in half.
McKinney grew up watching Bob Hope and Jack Benny on TV, and he said he lets that style of comedy come through in his 25-minute segment. "Variety Live" is the type of show Americans are longing to see, he said.
"Because of shows like ‘America’s Got Talent,’ I think that’s where the next wave of television is going, not competitions as much as variety shows," he said. "You don’t like an act? Wait five minutes and something else is coming in."
He promises some oversized illusions for "Variety Live," such as the one that uses a 7-foot-tall box that … wait, he wouldn’t give away details.
Been there? Seen that illusion? McKinney keeps things moving along with his sense of humor, as well as putting his own spin on illusions.
"Lorie and I build our own props, we add our own bells and whistles," he said. "It’s the same basic ingredients, but it’s how you cook it up."
Also on the bill: Reynolds, who keeps things light with his finesse as a juggler, and Erica Van Lee, whose fan dance has a Las Vegas appeal of its own, all while keeping it PG-13.
Tickets are $12 for Sun City Summerlin residents and $15 for nonresidents. All ticket sales are check or cash (exact change required). No credit cards will be accepted. For up-to-date information on Starbright Theatre shows, call 240-1301.
Contact Summerlin/Summerlin South View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 387-2949.
‘Variety Live’“Variety Live” is scheduled to feature magician Jason Andrews, juggler Kip Reynolds and illusionist Leslie McKinney at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Starbright Theatre, 2215 Thomas W. Ryan Blvd.
Tickets are $12 for Sun City Summerlin residents and $15 for nonresidents. All ticket sales are check or cash (exact change required). No credit cards will be accepted. For up-to-date information on Starbright Theatre shows, call 240-1301.
