New York, on Broadway, “Wonderhouse”

October 1991

Show at the Broadhurst Theater, created and directed by Andre Heller, co-produced by Peter Schwenkow, Mel Howard and Norman Rothstein. It was previously produced in Europe by Peter Schwenkow with the title : Wintergarten.

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N.Y. Broadhurst Theater Wonderhouse 1991_modifié-1_modifié-2

“Wonderhouse” at the Broadhurst Theater

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Broadway 1991 avec André Heller_modifié-1_modifié-2

With Andre Heller, creator and director of “Wonderhouse”

What an emotion to play on Broadway, on such a stage, where so many great actors have performed.

The stage doorman has a “photo gallery” of autographed pictures from famous actors having performed at the Broadhurst, including Liz Taylor and Dustin Hoffman.

He asked us for an autograph on an Eiffel Tower postcard, sent from Paris. We did it as soon we got back.

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Broadhurst Theater 1991 _modifié-1_modifié-1 copie

Our dressing room with the “Wonderhouse” poster

A good old friend of us, Professor Randolph Goodman, a specialist of drama and theatre history, watches some rehearsals. It is an experience for him and a pleasure for us. (Read about our strange first encounter with Randolph, and about a picture from us as “Les Baladins” published in one of his books. About this story, go to : Timeline, Black Art line, 1968)

The Production wishes a rococo style for the chair in our act. Why not? Immediately, Liam Herbert, the accessories master, goes with us from antique shop to antique shop to find the chair. We find it : beautiful, expensive and very heavy. The Production pays and I am going to exercise my biceps.

There is a live orchestra of five on stage. They play for us a special arrangement of Moussorgski’s “Pictures of an exhibition”, particularly from the piece : “The gate of Kiev”. It is such a feeling to perform with live music.

Great audiences. At the Premiere, the show receives a superb response. It has a very “European” flavour. Among the audience of that night is the Soprano Jessye Norman; we have a lovely conversation together after the show.

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Broadway 1991 Wonderhouse Bus _modifié-1_modifié-2

“Wonderhouse” advertised on the New York city buses

Omar Pasha produces Day-Glo objects (and people) at will and then simply erases them, as if they were no more than chalk drawings on a kindergarten blackboard.

David Richards in The New York Times, October 27. 1991

Their is astounding magic and illusions that are impossible to figure out.

Leida Snow on 1010 Wins Radio, 21.10.1991

Omar Pasha creates flabbergasting illusions.

Michael Bourne on WBGO FM 88,3 - 18.10.1991

When Omar Pasha and his assistants do black-light theater, one is transposed to the world of Thomas Mann’s Transposed Heads.

John Simon in NEW YORK magazine, October 1991

Omar Pasha would even persuade Penn and Teller* to disappear. *The famous magicians Penn and Teller were then performing since a long time in N.Y.

Clive Barnes in the New York Post, October 21. 1991

There is Omar, a master of illusions, who makes things and people appear and disappear, including finally himself.

Arlene Epstein in South Shore Records, October 24, 1991

From Omar Pasha, a French born husband and wife team, there’s a magic act that include disappearing heads and bodies, and flames that jump from one candle to another.

Robert Osborne in The Hollywood Reporter, October 21, 1991

Omar Pasha does first class magic.

Richmond Shepard in The Wall Street Transcript, October 1991

Dearest Ernest, Michelle, Louis, It is my privilege and pleasure to be working with you on Broadway’s newest hit ! You bring mystery and magic to the American stage ! Thank you for being so wonderful and warm. Congratulations, with love

Julie Crosby, Company Manager