The Illusionists

Magic takes a beating in popular culture because it's a solitary pursuit. Men like Gob Bluth and Michael Scott are made magicians by writers because it's easy to laugh at the sad lonely guy. But true stage magicians are something special. The good ones can fool you, even though you know you're being tricked. The best magicians make you forget they're deceiving you and take you for a ride; and the legerdemainists, escape artists and conjurors of The Illusionists are among the best in the world. The performers in the show are subject to change, but hopefully you'll be freaked out by Colin Cloud, the man who somehow knows what car you drive, what you do for a living and the phone numbers of several of your friends — all just from looking at you. Ben Blaque ratchets up the tension with his dangerous and precise crossbow stunts, and Yu Ho-Jin will baffle you with just a scarf. In his hands that scarf becomes a blank white playing card, then changes color with a simple flutter of his fingers, then becomes multiple cards and is suddenly a regular deck of playing cards — all right out in the open where you can see both hands. The Illusionists take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday (March 31 to April 2) at the Fox Theatre (527 North Grand Boulevard; www.fabulousfox.com). Tickets are $25 to $90.