Review: San Diego Opera stages West Coast premiere of 'Aging Magician'

KPBS
By Beth Accomando / Arts & Culture Reporter
Contributors: Roland Lizarondo
May 11, 2022

Jill Steinberg

“San Diego Opera had Aging Magician on its schedule in March of 2020, but had to cancel the production because of COVID-19. Now it presents the West Coast premiere of this hybrid opera-theatre piece that combines singing, choral work, puppetry, and performance art.

“Aging Magician tells the story of a clockmaker named Harold (Rinde Eckert) who’s approaching the end of his life and decides to distracts himself by writing a story.

“‘He's not quite sure what it is, but he's writing a story about a magician passing on his secrets to the next generation,’ explained director Julian Crouch.”

Broadway World Review: San Diego Opera's Production of ‘AGING MAGICIAN’ at The Balboa Theatre Shows Off Magical Mystery

Broadway World
By Ron Bierman
May. 20, 2022

“‘What the hell was that?’ an opera fan asked her friend as we shuffled into a parking-garage elevator. Not an easily answered question after a viewing of Aging Magician. Ambiguity abounds and reality is mixed with fantasy. The reality side is clear, mostly.

“Harold is a middle-aged watch repairman who lives alone. Although repairs pay the rent, they've been neglected because he can't stop thinking about the plot of a book he's been writing in which an aging magician worries his marvelous tricks won't outlive him. As he seeks a capable heir for his book of secrets, he collapses and is rushed to a hospital.

“Should he live or die? Harold can't decide.”