uac092513001.gif Ever seen a woman cut in two? Or one that levitates off of a table? How about someone pulling a rabbit out of their hat? If so, you may have been to a typical, average, run-of-the-mill magic show. But during the first week of October, the Crown becomes magical as Truman’s Mystical, Magical Adventure comes to town.

Sure, magic has tantalized the public for generations providing entertainment and wonder for millions across the globe, but this show adds a twist to the event. It brings education into the mystical world of magic. As most people know, “A good magician never reveals his secrets.” Kidsville News! is changing that constant, with its new take on magic shows. Don’t misunderstand — the show will be packed with amazing illusions along with a solid message about the importance of education.

Kidsville News! and the Kidsville News Literacy & Educations Foundation are partnering with the Crown Center to present Truman’s Mystical Magical Adventure, featuring the Amazing VanDoren. This show promises to be not only fun, but also educational and beneficial to the community. Kristy Sykes, the event and marketing consultant, said, “Net proceeds from this event will go to the Kidsville News! Literacy and Educational Foundation to continue providing educational community programs for our youth.”

The magic show is an event that the whole family can enjoy. The Amazing VanDoren has been performing for years, and just as his name suggests, he will amaze the crowd. Truman will also be attending the magic show.

“He will be greeting everyone as they walk in to the show and he will actually be on stage assisting the Amazing VanDoren,” Sykes said.

“This show is fun and interactive all the way through,” said The Amazing VanDoren, who promises to wow the audience at the great adventure.

“We’ve written this show so that the entire family will enjoy it and a few will even be shocked at some of the illusions that we perform.”

While he was reluctant to reveal too many secrets, VanDoren did mention a few of the things the audience can look forward to seeing.

“I am going to make my assistant vanish — while she is floating in the air,” he said. Assuming that she can be found after that …

“I will put her in a 12 inch box, that’s right, 12 inches, and run the box through with swords. Then she will emerge in an entirely different costume — unharmed.”

Because VanDoren is so passionate about magic, he spends a lot of time building, designing and tweaking his illusions to make the show as magical as it can be. In the end, what he really wants is to entertain the crowd and to see them get excited about magic.09-25-13-vandoren.gif

“Magic is perception, and in this show I take you from reality to your imagination and make your imagination real,” he said. “I love seeing the excitement on people’s faces, not just kids but everyone whether they are 80 or 8. To bring that type of magic to someone’s face, there is nothing better than that!”

For schools, shows will take place Oct. 3-4. There will be two shows each day at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Each school that attends will receive a donation of $1 per attending student. Tickets are $8 per student. Principles, teachers, chaperones and bus drivers get in free. The school with the most students attending will also win a Truman’s Magic Show starring the Amazing VanDoren for their entire school. Each student who attends the show will also receive an autographed photo of Truman and the Amazing VanDoren. Schools can book shows by having a school representative call 484-6200. The show is open for schools from Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, Lee, Sampson and Robeson counties.

There will also be performances offered for the general public, including an evening show on Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. and an afternoon show on Oct. 5, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. There are also special group rates and military discounts offered. It is requested that large groups make reservations by calling 484-6200.

All tickets for family shows can be purchased by calling 484-6200 or through ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.com/Crown-Center-tickets-Fayetteville/venue/115005. Tickets can also be purchased at the Crown Box Office. All shows will be held in the Crown Coliseum, at 1960 Coliseum Drive.

The Kidsville News Literacy & Education Foundation’s mission is to “improve literacy, education and character development among America’s young children by providing support for various early literacy and learning-based initiatives nationwide.” Since 1998, one way the foundation has done that is through Kidsville News! This child-focused publication is a free resource for grades kindergarten to 5th grade that is distributed to schools across the nation. Currently, 1.4 million people are reached by Kidsville News! every month.

Photo: Come prepared to be entertained at Truman’s MysticaL Magical Adventure.