But “Reinvented” could have easily been called “Recycled Magic”, especially with all the familiar bits that Franco brings to the stage (ironically, Franco replaces previous Linq headliner “Recycled Percussion” in the same time slot). It dares the audience to heighten their expectations…a dangerous thing to do in a city where Siegfried and Roy dominated the magic landscape for decades. Perhaps the production’s awkwardly-titled “Mat Franco – Magic Reinvented Nightly” is the problem here. It looks yummy under the bright light, goes down easily, but is forgotten the moment that it’s finished. His new show, which premiered last Friday inside the newly-remodeled Linq Theater, has more in common with a 7-Eleven hot dog than those legends of illusion and magic. Unfortunately for Franco, comparisons to greats like Copperfield and Burton (Lance, not Nathan) are unlikely to happen anytime soon. Being the new kid on the block has its advantages, especially when veterans like David Copperfield frequently get accused of “going through the motions”. Mat Franco – Magic Reinvented Nightly is the newest entry in the ever-expanding roster of Vegas magic shows.
