‘Believing’ Conjures Up Magical Family Fun

Don’t expect cutting-edge, big-budget Vegas illusions in “Seeing Is Believing,” the latest offering at Magicopolis’ Abracadabra Theater. Do expect plenty of laughs--and a few gasps as well--in this fun family outing, which offers a medley of magical styles, from the traditional to the anarchic.

Traditional magic is well represented by Scott and Jenny Alexander, whose illusions are of the tried-and-true variety. Ably assisted by his lithe wife, Jenny, Alexander faultlessly executes sword-in-the-box and levitation routines. The duo’s most ambitious turn is a vintage Houdini escape act in which audience volunteers assist in binding Jenny, putting her in a bag and padlocking her into a wood crate. The outcome holds few surprises--but if you like your magic straightforward, it’s ably performed by this congenial team.

Woodfield, an offbeat character in a fez and a monocle, emcees the evening and also eats razors, balances a raccoon on his head and converses amiably with his sidekick, a goose (actually a puppet). At one juncture, the goose puppet relieves itself on stage--the biggest laugh of the night, at least for the delighted kids in the audience.

Rounding out the bill--and providing the anarchic edge--is Adam Ace, a spike-haired youngster whose antics revolve more around slapstick than sleight-of-hand. Enlisting an athletic-looking helper from the audience, Ace cavorts athletically on a six-foot-high unicycle, then impersonates a variety of rock stars in his quick-change juggling act. In an inspired goof, Ace transforms four fathers from the audience into the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Dads”--his impromptu backup singers.

BE THERE

“Seeing Is Believing,” Magicopolis, 1418 4th St., Santa Monica. Thursdays-Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. $15-$20. (310) 451-2241. Ends Jan. 30. Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.