NEW ACT  REVIEW                Larry Wilson                     (Magic, comedy; 45 min.)  Reno, April 20 -- Comedy and magic are a mix that seems to be gaining in popularity during the latest live-entertainment cycle.  Perhaps the recent mainstream exposure of Penn & Teller has given some validity to the genre, but that’s a minor impetus to a form that’s been evident in lounges revues, although not so much in main rooms, for some time.

Larry Wilson, singlehandedly, changes the perception of what a magician is, once and for all.  He’s been pulling his stuffed rabbit out of a hat for the past year in “Breakin’ Loose,” the Frederic Apcar revue at Harrah’s Tahoe.

Now, however, he has a shot opening in the main room, no less, and proves capable of playing to a sophisticated audience with a genre that is all too often aimed at the lowest level of comedy.

It’s Wilson’s hilarious patter that makes the show, as he takes standard illusionist banter and twists it for comic effect. 

His pitch for Famous Magicians School (“We’re looking for people who like to turn tricks!”) begins the merriment, and goes on to a definition of magic, technology and finally of anything and everything, including driving on ice in Detroit, if it seems to fit.

Finally, it’s not easy to get someone from a dinner-show audience to put an eggbeater to his head, turn the handle and emit high screaming sounds (even if it is supposed to be a high-tech demonstration of E.S.P.).

Wilson does it, though, because of the engaging personality he establishes early on.  He charms the audience with his winning combination of sly wit and unflappability.  The night we caught his show a waiter dropped a tray full of drinks with a deafening crash.  Without missing a beat, Wilson quipped,  “Just set those down anywhere,” and the audience roared their approval.  He proves himself a fine main room act indeed. Shie.