In this amazingly crafted act of illusory showmanship there are seven doves, one parakeet, eight ducks, two geese and about fifty pigeons. There are also five female dancers and one male assistant. No, it isn’t Animal Planet Meets Dancing with the Stars. It’s theLance Burton Master Magician Show at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
“Master Magician” is a title granted to an extremely small number of magicians over the last two hundred years. Passed on to worthy candidates by mentors, Lance Burton is universally acclaimed to be the worthy successor of this honor. Watching him work certainly seems to confirm his acclaim, as shown by the thousands of stunned audience members who have been filling the Lance Burton Theatre every night for years.
In 1994, Lance Burton entered into a 13-year contract to star in, produce and direct a newer and bigger version of his already celebrated magic show. It was to be the longest running entertainment deal in Las Vegas history. It was also a significant honor to have a $27 million theatre built especially for him and named after him.
The Lance Burton Theatre has been praised by media critics and visitors’ polls as the “Best Theatre” in Las Vegas, having 1,274 plush velour seats with drink-holders. It’s the only
legitimate theatre on the Las Vegas Strip and a lot more comfortable than the typical showrooms left over from the old glory days of the Las Vegas dinner show.
The Lance Burton show is all about entertainment. His magic is performed in a simple, elegant style that makes it seem easy. Especially when he makes a shiny blue Chevrolet Corvette disappear right in front of your eyes! Headshaking disbelief abounds, and “How does he do that?” echoes through the audience. Lance fully engages his audiences into his act by asking personal questions and having folks join him onstage.
Lance’s love for kids is evident. At every performance several children are chosen from the audience to be a part of his act. It’s charming and fun. The evening we went, he showed an 
incredible amount of patience with a 3-year-old who was selected for a special trick. At its conclusion, the little boy was honored with a Lance Burton t-shirt, and his picture was displayed on a giant screen on the stage.
Burton is obviously proud of the many kids whose photos now grace his theater and equally proud of his success as the Master Magician for our times. Lance Burton’s contract at the Monte Carlo is running out soon and you just may want to see this dazzling show before hedisappears!
Lance Burton Theater
Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino
3770 S. Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
800.851.1703
