Michael Turco's Magic and Mayhem

More than magic

By Caroline Fontein

Michael Turco's magic revue has all the right moves. When he's not on stage wowing the audience with his illusions, five female dancers are entertaining the crowd with their contemporary routines choreographed by Lacey Schwimmer from ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." The women perform upbeat numbers set to songs like "Blow" by Ke$ha and "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga.

Audience members may recognize Turco from his appearance on the sixth season of NBC's "America's Got Talent" in 2011. If you don’t, Magic and Mayhem includes a short video clip from his appearance on the show as an introduction for the magician and his uncanny ability to make beautiful women disappear and reappear. He demonstrates this talent in Magic and Mayhem located at the Miracle Mile shops adjacent to Planet Hollywood.

Turco performs a good mix of up-close and box illusions. Some of his tricks use basic sleight-of-hand like when he makes three white doves appear and disappear into thin air. For these tricks you get to see Turco perform as though he were standing in your living room. There aren't many production elements, just Turco, a few small props and the crowd. Other more grand illusions are performed with invigorating music, edgy choreography by Turco's assistants and special lighting effects.

Many of Tuco's up-close illusions involve a volunteer from the crowd. Audience participants are selected randomly by Turco during the show. The interactive illusions include card tricks, a prediction segment and even an instance where Turco makes a duck named Lloyd magically appear in a bucket on stage.

Along with his illusions Turco also shares his experience as a magician with the audience. He started doing magic when he was 5 years old. Card tricks were his first act. From there he moved onto learning tricks with coins, silks and ropes. Many of the acts in the show were inspired by something from his childhood.

Combining illusions and dancing, Turco's show is especially appealing to families or groups with individuals who may want to see more than just a magician on stage. This afternoon show has awe-inspiring moments for both kids and adults to enjoy.