Join Helder Guimaraes for a Magical Journey in "The Future"

Magician Helder Guimaraes follows up his one-man sleight of hand show “The Present” with “The Future,” now playing at The Geffen as part of their interactive Stayhouse lineup.

Guimaraes has again teamed up with director Frank Marshall to provide a personal journey of the magician’s relationship with a card shark that shaped his path to becoming a master illusionist.

Prior to the show, guests are sent a mysterious black capsule and instructed to refrain from opening it’s contents until show time.

Once allowed into the Geffen’s guest lounge, participants can view the other attendees and answer trivia questions about the Geffen Playhouse. Moving through a variety of surroundings including a high stakes poker game and a pub in France, Guimaraes learns more than just sleight of hand from Kevin, his con artist friend and tutor. Throughout the 80-minute performance he asked the audience to vote on a number of questions that determine how a magic trick will proceed.

As a magician member of The Magic Castle, I enjoyed the creative decision to select one viewer to participate in online tricks and then let that viewer select the next participant to help with the next illusion. It was also nice to be able to view every audience member’s reaction as we all were astonished at Guimaraes amazing prestidigitation skills.

Magic, especially close up card magic, is largely based on an audience’s reaction and in the era of COV ID-19 this presents a challenge. Guimaraes masterfully overcomes this with his excellent choice of interactive tricks woven into a storyline that keeps the performance moving along.

I’m hoping that Guimaraes plans a third installment, maybe “The Past,” where we all can join in person at the Geffen to participate and marvel at his magic skills.

The Future has been extended to March 14, 2021. Tickets are $95 per household, show times Tuesday through Friday, 8pm PT, Saturday 2pm and 8pm PT, Sunday 1pm and 7pm PT. Visit https://www.geffenplayhouse.or... for tickets.