By MARIA SCIULLO
The last time Derek Hughes performed at Liberty Magic, it was January of 2020. The show went great. But the world fell apart.
Not his fault! But his latest display of stand-up comedy and prestidigitation does address one very important life lesson: When there are walls around us, climb to the top and enjoy the view, if you can. You might come out on the other side with a new perspective.
at Liberty Magic, through February 4, 2024.
Hughes is performing Bag of Tricks at the Downtown Pittsburgh small-arts venue through February 4. His work is all over the Internet, from clips of America’s Got Talent and The Carbonaro Effect — he’s a consulting producer — to Penn & Teller: Fool Us on The CW.
But to enjoy the live show is even better. He has a natural ease that translates into relatability with the audience, so even the shyest onstage participant seems to know they won’t be embarrassed.
It’s a thoroughly magical experience, and we don’t use that word to be funny (although Hughes certainly is). A Minnesota native who spent 20 years in Los Angeles before returning to his Midwest roots, he’s a dad telling dad jokes while astonishing the audience with decidedly non-dadlike effects.
Dressed in baggy jeans, crew-neck sweater and gray windowpane check sports coat on Thursday, Hughes produced the kind of world-class jaw-droppers one has come to expect from Liberty Magic. He read minds, conjured a few mathematical miracles and, after using the term “mise en scene,” jokingly reminded the room, “I was a theater major.”
He made the impossible possible while making everyone laugh. As any comedian can tell you, the latter is often tougher than any sleight-of-hand trick.
TICKETS AND DETAILS
Derek Hughes: Bag of Tricks is performed at Liberty Magic, 811 Liberty Ave., Downtown, Wednesdays through Sundays, through February 4. Tickets: visit https://trustarts.org/production/87230/derek-hughes-in-bag-of-tricks or call 412-456-6666.
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