Back Stage with Darren Romeo

Heath Hawkins

In May of 2005 I have the opportunity to see the most talked about show in Branson, MO. That show is Daren Romeo, The Voice of Magic. It was only in Branson for a short run in 2004, yet it won “Best Show of 2004” from Branson Critic Online Magazine. I knew it would be something special.

I was not disappointed. From start to finish the music was mesmerizing and the magic was mind blowing. The hype was right.

I have a complete review of the Darren Romeo show so I will not spend more time reviewing the show. This article is more of a back stage took at my interview with Darren Romeo.

When the show is over, Darren is still going strong. He stayed after for almost an hour signing autographs and taking pictures. I had the opportunity to hear him talk with his fans. Watching him, it seemed that he was genuinely interested in getting to know each person. He was actively engaged in each conversation. It is nice when entertainers really spend time getting to know their fans.

Finally, after almost an hour I sat down in the green room with Darren for an interview. The following is excerpts from that interview.

Heath: What brought you to Branson?

Darren: I had a great run at the Mirage in Vegas. After the close of that show, Joe Sullivan, brought me to Branson to see what I thought. (Joe Sullivan is the producer of Darren’s show in Branson.) I liked the area and so Welk/Sullivan Productions brought me here for a short run in 2004 to see how things would go.

Heath: How is it different working in Branson compared to other places?

Darren: I grew up in New York and performed in Vegas. City life and entertainment is a rat race. Branson is a nice break. People in Branson are also very supportive. I got sick right after I got her. My management actually encouraged me to take time off and rest if I needed it. That never happens in the city. The show must go on regardless of how you feel.

Heath: What makes your show unique in Branson?

Darren: The very nature of my show is different. I like to say that when you hear “singing magician” you often want to run from the theater. Instead, what I have found is that people want to run to the theatre. The merger of music and magic is a new direction. Music and magic are both powerful tools. Why not put them together?

Heath: Do you think you are helping to shape the changing face of magic?

Darren: I think that magicians like David Copperfield and of course my mentors Siegfried & Roy are really changing the way people think about magic. I think about my first inspiration in magic, Harry Blackstone. He was changing magic in his time. I would like to be a face in the changing world of magic. Really I think that our “instant” society is changing magic. People have instant access to everything with the media and internet. Magic has to change to meet this new society. People still want the escape that magic offers.

Heath: Last year your show was voted “Best Show of 2004” by the editors and readers of Branson Critic. Is there anything you would like to say to your fans at www.bransoncritic.org?

Darren: Thank you fans, you did it! We were only in Branson for eight or nine weeks in 2004, so it was a great confidence booster for us to be recognized. I have a great fan club that will drive or fly anywhere. The love of my fans is why I do this business!

After our interview Darren took me into his dressing room to show me all the gifts his fans have given him. It was almost a shrine to his fans. There were flowers, letters, notes, and tons of gift items. He showed me a complete photo scrapbook from one fan that follows him everywhere. She is actually from Europe, but travels to all the places Darren performs.

It was obvious that he has adoring fans, but I was touched by how he truly adores his fans. It is easy to get caught up in celebrity status, but Darren Romeo keeps his fans close. He puts on a great performance and pours out a great heart. With that kind of heart he will be successful in Branson, MO or anywhere he chooses.

Darren Romeo biography

Named after music legend Bobby Darin, Darren grew up in his hometown of East Meadow, NY to the songs of his namesake and other music legends. His home was always filled with music. While his parents helped to foster a great appreciation of the arts, it wasn't until high school that Darren discovered his passion for singing, through his performances in musicals including Bye Bye Birdie and Pippin.
It was his musical theatre dramatics that eventually led to his unique approach to the performance of magic.

Acknowledging that there’s something magical about music, Darren set out to meld the two disciplines. Though he explored all types of music, Darren was tremendously influenced by the work of Andrew Lloyd Webber whose compositions are featured in several pieces in Darren’s show.

Though he was inspired emotionally and creatively by all genres of music, Darren’s first collabor- ation between magic and music came in the form of a tribute to his namesake, the late recording sensation, Bobby Darin. Singing one of Bobby Darin’s hit songs, Darren theatrically turned the startling appearance of a woman into the magical creation of a “Dream Lover,” per the lyrics of the tune. Soon after the Bobby Darin piece, Darren focused his attention on musical theater and created a routine sung to a Phantom of the Opera medley. Given the success of these first two collaborations, Darren’s peers began to label him “The Voice of Magic.”

In 1995 he received national acclaim as the youngest person to ever star in the off-Broadway production of “The Fantasticks.” He moved to Las Vegas to become a performer and magic director at Caesars Magical Empire. In 1999 Romeo appeared on the World Magic Awards on the FOX Family Channel and received the “Best Up & Coming Magician” award.

Between directing and performing at Caesars, Romeo also appeared at the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. He was introduced to Siegfried & Roy in 1999 and soon they made Romeo their first and only protégé. As show producers, they assisted Romeo in creating original routines to fit his personality. Two years in the making, the show delivers breathtaking illusions and the most daring vocal stylings to date for Romeo.

Siegfried & Roy Present Darren Romeo, The Voice of Magic, premiered in August 2002 at The Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The International Magicians Society bestowed Romeo with the prestigious Merlin Award for “Entertainer of the Year 2002,” a special award acknowledging Romeo’s dedication to magic and incredible singing voice.

Darren Romeo finished a successful premiere season in Branson on August 14, 2004 and has signed a long-term agreement that will bring him back to The Welk Resort Theatre in Branson for 2005.

Romeo was named Magician of the Year 2004 by the Academy of Magical Arts Awards, Magic Castle, Hollywood, California and Best Show 2004 by the Branson Critic Awards - http://www.bransoncritic.org/BransonCriticAwards.htm . In 2004 Romeo was also honored for his exceptional contributions to magic and performance by The Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.).

What do you think? Your opinion is your opinion. Let me know at hhawkins@waynesville.k12.mo.us.

To ask for permission to use excerpts of Heath's articles for print or digital means, must have the written consent of BransonCritic.org.

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