Night Clubs Reviews

Jun 30, 2005 - Paul Reder's "Fusion 2" even happier than his very happy "Fusion" at Tahoe's Horizon

By Jack Neal

Paul Reder is as good at producing family shows as the Disney Studio is, when that venerable studio remembers its "Snow White" roots. Mr. Reder's family-friendly "Fusion" shows in the Golden Cabaret at Lake Tahoe's Horizon Hotel Casino have become big hits. And for good reason! They're a terrific one-hour-and-a-quarter of entertainment.

Mr. Reder has magically put together "Fusion 2," a new edition to his "Fusion" series of whimsical magic shows, that tickles the funny bone as much as its illusions intrigue the senses. It's been a year since I saw the glib and hilarious "Fusion." "Fusion 2" makes me wonder why I waited so long to be entertained again with one of Paul Reder's droll and giggly adventures into lightheartedness.

Like Madonna and Cher, Alexander - "Fusion 2's" star - is a one-name performer. "Some people call me Alexander the Great," the magician intones (to no reaction from the crowd), "but none of them seem to be here tonight." He's a grand, grand illusionist. His lovely and lithe assistant is Pamela Najera. The wildly unconventional and lots of fun Eric Buss is the show's "magician cum sillyness." Chipper Lowell is "Fusion 2's" comedian and he's a riot of belly laugh activity.

I'm reluctant to give any "Fusion" jokes away. So I won't. It's enough to say I haven't laughed so hard at so much great material loaded into any show in years. Mr. Lowell's routines are largely out of a trunk a la Carrot Top and Rip Taylor. Or perhaps I should say Carrot Top and Rip Taylor's routines are out of the Chipper Lowell mold. Mr. Lowell's laughs are fast-paced and just pour across the footlights and into the laps of fans having the time of their lives.

Likewise the magic and humor as presented by Eric Buss is tremendously original and delightful stuff and is unmatched (really) by any other comic-magician on the boards today.

All of the show's shenanigans work wonderfully well in the Golden Cabaret's intimate space. It's a space director Tony Clark (who co-produces with Paul Reder) knows well. Mr. Clark starred in "Phantasy," which played the Golden Cabaret for an extended run about three years ago. As "Fusion 2's" director he works the room's intimate space to advantage and blends the cast's diverse and magnetic talents into a solidly entertaining show that is itself a touch of that old black magic.

The spell of "Fusion 2" can be experienced nightly (except Tuesdays) at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. with a "kids free" (restrictions apply) matinee Sundays at 3 p.m. Admission prices are $19.95 weekdays and $24.95 weekends. "For information call 775-588 6211.

This "Fusion 2" review was heard as part of Jack Neal's "Entertainment Headlines'" broadcast on KUNR-FM radio (88.7 in the Reno Tahoe area) Friday, July 1, 2005, at 5:30 p.m