Illusionist makes repeat performance

Combining mime, music and magic, Bradley Fields' Magic Theatre and Illusion Show debuts at 7 p.m. Halloween night at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.\nAudience members should be ready for money to appear out of thin air, Fields said. Like some magicians, Fields does not reveal the secrets behind his tricks, but he does promise the performance will be an experience like none other. \nFields received rave reviews from his audience when he performed in 1998 at the Pike Performing Arts Center in Indianapolis and will be returning this fall. \n"He has an amazing slight of hand," said Don Steffy, executive director of the Center.\nAmong other tricks, Fields hinted that in this show he will levitate a member of the audience. \nThe show has an intimate feel modeled after cabaret performances, Fields said. The Buskirk-Chumley Theater, built in 1922, was originally intended as a vaudeville and silent movie house. The history was one of the motivations behind bringing the show to the theater. \n"I was intrigued because (the magic show) draws on the history of vaudeville," said Danielle McClelland, director of the theater.\nFields' said his own interest in magic was sparked when a magician came to his grade school. Roles have reversed, and now Fields is inspiring the next generation of magicians. \nFields related the story of a father who brought his son to a performance. \n"When he grows up, he wants to be you," Fields said the father told him.\nSteffy said Fields' personality was one reason they brought him to perform.\n"(Fields) is very genuine and engaging," Steffy said.\nBy spending long hours researching magic in books, Fields fine-tuned his skills. At the age of 14, he became an assistant for a magician named Jack Adams. Fields has been performing ever since.\nHe has performed in night clubs, schools and on Broadway, and did a number of college tours in the 1970s, but has never performed in Bloomington until Friday. \nFields, also a trained actor, said he takes a great joy in performing. He performs about 300 shows worldwide every year. He said during his shows he is paid with laughs and applause. \n"You create that magic spell for everyone in the entire theater," he said. \nOn the night of the show, downtown businesses will have a special trick-or-treating time for children from 6 to 7 p.m. McClelland encourages everyone to attend the performance in costume. \n"It is a short performance and leaves plenty of time to go out afterwards," McClelland said.\nThough the performance is family-friendly, Fields said he believes that it can be appreciated on many different levels.\n"Magic is very universal," he said.\nTickets for the Magic and Illusion Show can be purchased at the Sunrise box office located at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater or by phone at 339-6741. General admission tickets are $10. Children 12 and under are $5.\n-- Contact staff writer Jessica Dalsing at jdalsing@indiana.edu.