On March 25, 2005, Illusionist Rick Thomas opened his afternoon show at the Stardust Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Thomas, whose shows include royal white and orange Bengal tigers, performs at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm in the resort's 900-seat Wayne Newton Theater. Thomas recently concluded a successful seven-year engagement at the Tropicana Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
We recently caught up with Rick Thomas and asked a few questions about his new theater and show.
Magic & Illusion: What can audiences expect to see in your new show at the Stardust?
Rick Thomas: The showroom is beautiful, the lighting wonderful and the magic is always changing. We had to move into the Stardust in just one day so some of the magic is the same, but better presented. New effects will always be added and this summer should give us a great new show.
M&I: Is there anything that you will be able to perform at the Stardust that you couldn’t at the Tropicana?
RT: The answer is yes! The Stardust will work with me to make the show the best it can be. I still need to work around other shows, but the Stardust is allowing me fabulous creative freedom.
M&I: What excites you most about this move?
RT: I am excited about how much the Stardust has embraced me and my show. They truly want me here. The support is HUGE!
A professional illusionist for more than 20 years, Thomas' shows are characterized by a graceful manner that reflects his early theatrical experience as a national ballroom dancing champion. Accompanied by a troupe of showgirl-dancers, he employs intricate choreography to embellish his large-scale illusions that involve exotic birds and motorcycles in addition to the jungle cats. His trademark illusions include shrinking a snarling 500-pound royal white Bengal tiger into a cuddly cub and levitating a showgirl high above the stage and making her disappear.
Thomas' honors include "Magician of the Year" presented by the Academy of Magical Arts and "Stage Magician of the Year" on the televised "World Magic Awards." He has appeared on two NBC "World's Greatest Magic" specials and starred in his own ABC special, "The Magic of Rick Thomas." Prior to becoming a fixture on the Las Vegas entertainment scene, he performed in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, Canada and Central America. He was also a popular headliner on international cruise ships and appeared at more than 50 major expositions and fairs across North America.
Rick Thomas appears Thursday through Tuesday, 2 pm and 4 pm in the Stardust’s Wayne Newton Theater. Admission is $24.95 plus tax and fees.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
