Some imagination would help 'Imagine'

It's obvious what "Imagine," the production show at the Luxor, sets out to do: Entertain the audience seated in its expansive showroom. And it does -- some.

Where the 75-minute-long show falls short, however, is in its lack of strong specialty acts, and its over-reliance on a few players.

Each of its three acts are introduced by a waifish, fairy-like dancer who flits about the stage toting an hourglass. Then the fresh-faced, coed cast of dancers -- more than a dozen of them -- take the stage to begin the show with a high-energy number set to tribal drum music performed by excellent live musicians, who play throughout the show.

Unfortunately, the dancers' moves were not as tight or precise as they could have been: Some high kicks and spins were noticeably out of sync, and arm movements should have been more crisp.

Next up: A pair of identical jesters, whom we first meet in the brief pre-show warm-up, which plays onstage as audience members take their seats. The two, wearing matching black-and-white outfits, engage in a bit of comical ring-tossing and depart.

Enter the black-caped magician (apparently the show's focal character) to perform an illusion. He's followed by a contortionist act, a trio whose slow-moving tricks bring down the energy level a bit too much at this juncture. (The act deserves better placement in the lineup.)

Out come the jesters for another ring bit (silver ones this time) and a few contortion moves of their own. Here are the dancers for another routine. And, look, it's the magician again. This time, he'll escape impalement on a spiked platform.

Act Two is an underwater adventure. Another dance sequence is followed by the magician, who levitates his assistant, and yet another bit by the jesters.

Then comes the act which garnered the biggest applause at a performance earlier this week: A pair of male aerialists who, with the aid of ropes, soar above the audience (solo and in tandem) twisting, turning and spinning all the way -- the most entertaining routine by far.

The magician makes yet another appearance before Act Three, a black-lit trip to the future, which begins with another number by the jesters, followed by another visit by the magician, and still another appearance by the dancers. A troupe of 15 bungee acrobats takes the stage for an interesting stint on giant rubber bands, which ends entirely too soon. Before long, the entire cast assembles onstage for their bows.

For a show that supposedly takes its cues from the boundless realm of imagination, it seems "Imagine's" creators may not have explored their own thoroughly enough when determining the show's content. A boost of energy here and a dollop of creativity there could greatly benefit this beautifully costumed show.

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