Music & Art

FAMILY-FRIENDLY MAGIC SHOW COMES TO PARAGON

by Jeanni Ritchie

Lance Burton’s live touring show “Lance Burton & Friends” arrived in Central Louisiana on January 25. The show – a mix of illusions, sleight of hand, and audience participation – brought families in droves to the Paragon Casino Resort’s Mari Center. Over 100 children participated onstage in the opening magic act with the enigmatic Lance Burton. 

Burton’s first national appearance was in 1981 on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Starmaker Carson said he was the best he’d ever seen. Audiences agreed. Burton was named Best Magician 18 years in a row by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Several audience members in Marksville, LA had even seen Burton in Las Vegas.

Joined onstage by many talented guest stars, including Baton Rouge native and master juggler Michael Goudeau, the audience laughed and cheered for a couple of hours while being amazed and entertained. 

My favorite part of the show was hilariously performed by Goudeau to one of my favorite musical audition numbers: Hey Big Spender! 

For more on Lance Burton and his touring show, visit lanceburton.com. For more on Mike Goudeau, visit mikegoudeau.com.

Visit paragoncasinoresort.com for upcoming shows at the Mari Center. I’m most looking forward to Collin Raye, Sammy Kershaw, and Aaron Tippin on May 24. What a blast from the past that will be!

Also check out their premier digital theater as well for showtimes. The three-screen attraction will host the family-friendly (and popular book series) Dog Man beginning January 31. 

PHOTO: Magician Lance Burton, a Las Vegas entertainment fixture, and his assistant. Las Vegas, Nevada LCCN2011634440.tif

Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com

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