Copperfield inspired by people's dreams

People's dreams (and sometimes even their nightmares) have provided inspiration for master illusionist David Copperfield's constantly evolving productions.

His newest touring show — "An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion" — will have five performances next weekend at Kingsbury Hall. The fifth show was added due to brisk ticket sales.

According to Copperfield's publicists, the all new "reunion" segment of the current tour was partly inspired by an unfulfilled wish of his grandfather.

The relatively low-key card tricks that Copperfield usually does at some point during his show were taught to him by his grandfather when Copperfield was growing up in New Jersey.

The "reunion" bit, however, promises to be more high-tech — along the line of such previous feats as making an airplane vanish into thin air ... walking through the Great Wall of China ... making the Statue of Liberty vanish in 1983 (but only momentarily) ... and levitating himself over the Grand Canyon.

For the reunion segment an audience member will have the opportunity to take the trip of his or her lifetime — a reconciliation with a longed-for loved one. While standing on a crane arm with Copperfield suspended over the heads of the audience, the person will allegedly vanish — only to reappear moments later in the selected location of their dreams.

When he's not touring the country — or the globe — one of Copperfield's most meaningful accomplishments is Project Magic, which he founded. It uses simple magic tricks as therapy to help strengthen dexterity and motor skills in disabled patients.

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If you go . . .

What: "David Copperfield: An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion"

Where: Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah

When: March 2-3

How much: $29.75-$49.75

Phone: 581-7100

Web: kingtix.com

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E-mail: ivan@desnews.com