Copperfield show at IU isn’t fiction or folly, it’s magic

Emmy award-winning magician David Copperfield will visit Bloomington next month to show audiences how to make magic.

Copperfield is on an international tour, “An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion,” and will give both students and local residents an opportunity to see and feel the complexity of illusions.  

Copperfield started performing professionally at the age of 12, and by the time he turned 16, he was the instructor of a magic course at New York University. 

He is also the youngest member to be admitted to the Society of American Magicians.

Doug Booher, IU auditorium director, said Copperfield has been to Bloomington several times and each of his national tours takes a different focus.  Copperfield last performed at the IU Auditorium in March 2004.

Booher said Copperfield’s shows draw strong, supportive crowds that enjoy the thrills.

“He’s the main attraction, but he does have assistants and other performers who help him,” Booher said. “In terms of magicians, David’s show is incomparable. He sets the bar for other magicians working today. It’s a great opportunity to be able to see his show live.”

According to the Web site www.dcopperfield.com, Copperfield sells five to 10 times more shows than Janet Jackson, U2, Marilyn Manson and Limp Bizkit. He has also won 21 Emmy awards.  

Booher said Copperfield’s show includes some basic acts and carries some traits of a regular magic show, but his edge is what sets him apart from the rest.

“It’s bigger, bolder and better than what you might expect,” Booher said. “The tours he takes are so large, he travels all over the world.  He invests a lot of time and effort in creating the best and most astounding types of illusions.”