MagicGizmo

New York – It isn’t often that a Nashville , TN producer chooses to debut a new show in New York City , but that is exactly what producer and performer John B. Pyka has chosen to do. On March 20^th he, along with co-writer and director Andy Still will launch The Club Roxy Revue at the Producer’s Club Theater in New York City .

What sets the Club Roxy Revue apart is that it is full narrative magic musical that fuses magic and illusion, music, and dance in a story about revenge set in 1940s Chicago. It is an historic show in that it is the first full narrative magic musical to debut in New York since 1982 when Doug Henning starred in the Broadway musical Merlin. The show features award-winning magic and illusion, hit swing music from the mid 20^th Century, and high energy dance, and a compelling story set in 1940s Chicago.

If New Yorkers are not familiar with the names John Pyka and Andy Still that is because although they have been professional working performers for years, this is also their New York debut. Pyka has been performing for almost 30 years and is an award winning magician, actor and singer. He has appeared in 100s of regional stage productions throughout the US . He is also a published author, having published the book Theatrical Magic. Andy Still has been acting professionally and writing for roughly 15 years. He has been based in Chattanooga , TN where he is an active part of the theater and arts community.

The duo decided a little over a year ago to just “pick up and go to New York ” and began working on the show that would become The Club Roxy Revue. Following the debut the producers and cast plan a regional US theater tour, targeting smaller houses in rural areas.

The Club Roxy Revue draws from Pyka’s past work as the larger than life character “Big Daddy Cool,” and is a story about the fruitless pursuit of revenge. The Club Roxy Revue is set in 1940s Chicago and co-stars Lonny Chilton as rival mobster Frank Palumbo. “Little Frankie” is set on getting revenge for the killing of his boss Tony Greico, and he confronts “Big Daddy Cool” with the goal of taking over the club. The story is moved along by the magic, music and dance which serve specific purposes in the storyline. “There is nothing that doesn’t move the story” says Pyka, “it all has purpose and meaning in the framework of the story.” Although not a new concept, it is a unique approach to magic, and ties in to the principles Pyka advocates in his book Theatrical Magic.

The Club Roxy Revue will be presented two nights only at the Producer’s Club on W. 44th Street March 20 & 21. Tickets are $20 and complete information can be found at www.producersclubtheaters.com.

PHOTO CUT LINE: "Big Daddy Cool" Johnny Dellarocca and Mitzi LaMoore perform swing magic in The Club Roxy.