Article Photos

FAIRMONT - Last year, the small audience gathered at Fairmont Opera House was surprised and delighted with the mysteries taking place on the stage before them.

Altered Reality - a show featuring the separate acts of two top names in the world of illusion and magic - was different and better than most people had expected.

Fun, intelligent, intriguing and at times bizarre, Dan Sperry and Reza are collaborating once again as they return to their native Midwest. Fairmont Opera House's managing director was so impressed with the duo's performance last year, they were booked for this season's subscription series. Reza and Sperry are slated to perform Saturday.

"I think the dynamic of the two of us and the balance back and forth is a great combination," Reza said. "We both bring something unique to magic, so to bring that together is a great show."

Humor plays a large role in each man's act, though their styles differ greatly.

Sperry, often described as David Copperfield meets Marilyn Manson, is originally from Litchfield. He plans to perform his signature bird act, which was featured at the World's Greatest Magic Show in Los Vegas.

"It's a fun show, with new material, new illusions, comedy, magic ... a little bit of everything all mixed with high energy music and lights," Reza said.

At 23, he speaks from years of experience in the industry. Reza was 7 years old, at a school assembly, when he saw his first magic show, Support from his family to follow his dreams and countless hours of practice led to performances at small events around his hometown of Brookings, S.D.

Professionally, his career began with his teen-age years, performing for corporate events. His big break into the business came at age 15, when he was booked to do 18 shows a week for six weeks in Branson, Mo.

Since Reza and Sperry were last in Fairmont, they've both done extensive traveling, hitting major cities from one end of the country to the other. Reza also has been doing more television appearances, and Sperry recently completed a tour of Canada, with Murray Hatfield's "Illusions Magic N' Miracles."

"We love playing Midwest dates, and coming back to our hometown crowd," Reza said. "We love the energy of the Midwest."

Altered Reality will be in Fairmont at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students. Call (507) 238-4900 for more information.