UWG News Archive

The Spencers: Theatre of Illusion coming to UWG

November 17, 2003

CARROLLTON, GA - What if it were possible for a person to be folded inside of a 12-inch box . . . to crawl through the spinning blades of an industrial fan . . . to escape from a tank filled with water like the legendary Houdini? What if all of this and much, much more were possible?

UWG News Photo These are questions that are soon to be answered during an evening of magic and high-energy entertainment orchestrated by award-winning illusionists Kevin and Cindy Spencer at the University of West Georgia Townsend Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Called “modern day Houdinis” by the Vail Daily News (Colo.), the Spencers combine cutting-edge illusions with music, comedy, audience interaction and special lighting and effects in their production The Spencers: Theatre of Illusion. The duo delivers a powerful, unforgettable theatrical experience for the entire family.

“Their work in illusion is absolutely enthralling, engrossing and ingenious. . . . Barring a television special here and there, this is not something most get the chance to see,” says Matt Moore of The News Herald (Panama City, Fla.). “Their act, with its blend of magic, homespun humor, slack jawed bewilderment, side splitting comedy and high drama, was what the audience expected — and got.”

UWG News Photo The Spencers’ performance at West Georgia will be the highlight of the annual Rudolph to the Rescue Holiday Show and Toy Drive, a benefit for underprivileged children of Carroll County and the Department of Family and Children Services. The daylong Rudolph to the Rescue event, which combines a brunch, reception and toy drive with two presentations of the Holiday Show for local schoolchildren and one for the public, is sponsored by the Townsend Center, the UWG Staff Advisory Council and ARAMARK, UWG’s food service provider.

The morning performances for schoolchildren are part of the Arts in Education Series presented in partnership by the Townsend Center and the Carrollton Parks and Recreation Cultural Arts Division.

The morning will also feature a Rudolph to the Rescue Brunch and Toy Drive for faculty and staff from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited to the Holiday Show by the Spencers at 7:30 p.m. and the Toy Drive and Reception that will precede it at 6:30 p.m. Both the brunch and reception will feature live music, festive food and a holiday atmosphere. All events will occur at the Townsend Center.

Admission to the morning brunch and evening reception is an unwrapped gift for a child aged infancy to 18 years or a donation to the Department of Family and Children Services. To encourage participation throughout the campus and community, tickets for The Spencers: Theatre of Illusion are only $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for UWG students and $3 for children.

UWG News Photo Playing to sold-out audiences nationally and internationally for more than a decade, the Spencers have been compared to world-class magicians David Copperfield, Harry Blackstone Jr. and the late Doug Henning. In January 2003, the two “vanished” the Stanley Cup for the National Hockey Leagues in front of about 7,000 hockey fans as a kickoff to the NHL All-Star Weekend.

One of the country’s largest touring illusion companies, the Spencers transport more than 12 tons of state-of-the-art illusions and special effects from city to city. The two work with some of the industry’s leading inventors and builders to incorporate original, never-before-seen illusions into their production. They are assisted both on and off stage by illusion manager David Knight and production assistant Kylie Knight.

The Spencers have won more national awards than any other magical performers in the United States. Named Performing Arts Entertainers of the Year six times by arts presenters and college/University entertainment programmers across the nation, they have held the title longer than any other performer. Only one other magician, David Copperfield, has ever received this award.

They have also been named Best Touring Production, Best Major Performance, Best Variety Artists and Best Performing Arts Event. In 1996 and 2000, winning over such contenders as the Dave Matthews Band and Garth Brooks, they were recognized as College Entertainers of the Year.

“We hope that the diversity of these awards demonstrates that our show is universal and appealing to all ages,” notes Kevin. “That is certainly what we are most proud of — that families, people of all ages, can enjoy our show. It is sophisticated enough to hold the attention of adults and exciting enough to hold the attention of the children.”

It is their family appeal that makes the Spencers an ideal choice for the Rudolph to the Rescue event.

Townsend Center Director Robert Jennings said, “Our staff is thrilled to be working once again with the Staff Advisory Council, ARAMARK and the Cultural Arts Division of the Carrollton Recreation Department to host an entire day of activities directed at the children of our community. In addition to the three performances, which are perfect for school-age children, the toy drive will directly benefit those families that most need the loving concern of others. The University is very pleased to be able to give something back to our wonderful community, which supports us so strongly.”

Helping out in the effort is simple. Just bring a gift to the evening reception to give some joy to the children of Carroll County this holiday season. Then stay to be thrilled by The Spencers: Theatre of Illusion. As the Spencers say, “You won’t believe your eyes!”

For reservations o r more information, contact the Townsend Center box office at 770-836-6694 or visit its web site at www.townsendcenter.org.

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