Thursday, September 7, 2017

Featured Artist of the Week - Ron Fitzgerald


So, this week's "artist" is not a musician (well, he might be and I don't know) and he's not a painter, but he is an artist.  He is an Illusionist - and is the driving force behind Ron Fitzgerald's Dark Realm.

I've seen his show twice now, one time on a stage, and one time as part of an outdoor afterparty sponsored by Zombie Army Productions, both as part of Flashback Weekend HorrorCon - Chicago.  (as a side note, back in 2016 we did a Featured Artist of the Week about Flashback Weekend, you can use our search function to find that)

Anyhow, back to Ron Fitzgerald.  This guy immediately makes an impact, and he definitely makes an interest.  He has a "dark" look to him from the minute you see him, including his pale eyes, which almost look grey.  He is clad in exactly the outfit you'd expect a dark illusionist to be clad in - long dark jacket and supernatural surreal jewelry.  But, that's all just superficial, right?  What really matters is the show.  And, he can put on a show - whether it's on a stage or outdoors in a parking lot surrounded by people who have been drinking free beer (compliments of Zombie Army) for hours.

Certainly don't want to delve into spoilers here, because spoilers would ruin the show - right?  But, I can say it's a great mix of well-known illusions (sawing a woman in half), to new and dark illusions, to dark humor, to sexual innuendo (some not so subtle).  That combination equates to 100% entertainment.  The illusions will leave even front-row skeptics going "how DID he do that?"  But even if the viewer is a non-believer in magic and illusions, it's still entertaining as Fitzgerald throws in humor and dark humor at just the right times - and throws in a little innuendo here and there as well - all at the expense of his fun-loving female assistants.  And let's not take anything away from the assistants - as everybody knows, a "magic" act is only as good as the assistants.  The combination on Mr. Fitzgerald and his 2 (or 3) assistants makes for a well oiled machine.  The show moves along without a hitch and there is no question that Mr. Fitzgerald is not only a master of illusions, but also a true professional who understands that it's all about the show - it's all about entertaining (and surprising and shocking) the audience.

The show never feels fake, it never feels phony, and it never feels cheesy.  The entire show is engaging from start to finish and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats (unless they are standing in a parking lot).  Even during the free-drink show, as we were calling it, the show was so engaging, few people walked away to get refills - very few.

Whether he is able to have all the effects that a stage show provides - or whether he is doing it the old snake-handler way in a parking lot in the dark - the show is engaging, funny, dark, and shocking!  Everything one would want from an illusionist from the Dark Realm.


No comments:

Post a Comment