Kevin Jeffrey and Gus Caruso - more than magical
Lynda Peeler

NEW WAVE MAGIC is more than magic, music, costumes, comedy and dance. It is NOT quiet, sedate or ho-hum. It is fast paced showmanship of the most energized and professional possibilities. A Lake Tahoe production of lavish costume changes, mind provoking and boggling magic, laughter and smiles, ooos and ahhhs. And how did all this begin?

Reno, Nevada was the birthplace and residence to Kevin Jeffrey who saw almost every show that came to Reno for most of his growing years. It was not until a new magician came to the circuit that he got the bug. Gus Caruso and he were friends in high school and decided to go San Francisco to Grand Illusions to become magicians. They worked at short engagements such as the Magic Palace in California, and started street performing doing two minute shows. The General Manager of a casino in Lake Tahoe saw their mini-show and told them that he was going to reopen an old theater and wanted to know if they could have a one hour show prepared within 4 months. Of course they said , "Yes!", gulped, and went about getting the show together. They opened in December and lasted for three years, until the theater was up for renovation. As the show was in its last few months, the Entertainment Director from Carnival Cruise Lines asked if they would be interested in doing their show on a cruise ship. That was 1995. They presently do two shows on their home ship and produce the shows on two other ships. Their summer one week cruises go to the Eastern Caribbean or Western Caribbean. Their weekly jaunt is to fly into St. Thomas, get on the ship do two shows, fly back from St. Maarten and do the show just for us Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 p.m. at the Theater in the Marco Polo Ramada Plaza Beach Resort.

In the midst of the "shows" Gus Caruso collaborates with a wonderful seamstress, Louise Wallace, to design and produce the many elaborate and fun costumes; Gus does the headdresses, Louise does the design of body pieces for the dancers and Gus. It is never about just magic," said Kevin, it is about costuming, music and pleasing. We compete with the pace of MTV to keep people's attention." And this is what they create. One person described the pace as "throbbing".

Whatever words one uses to describe this production and the two lead performers, Kevin and Caruso, they are professional showman, dedicated to our enjoyment with jaw-dropping illusion, professional dancers in outrageously stunning costumes, and super music. And, you could be part of the show.

P.S. Kevin and Gus are residents of Sunny Isles Beach!


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