Call it Wrestlemagica...

The new World Underground Theatre at WWF New York began its premiere performance, Criss Angel MINDFREAK, Nov. 20. Angel's show of illusion and magic was scheduled to open Dec. 6 but has delayed the official premiere by a week, to Dec. 13. According to a Publicity Office spokesperson, the postponement came about because, "They were going into a new space, ran into technical problems and decided to give themselves more time."

Angel's magic show, staged in the new 150-seat, theater in the round, uses otherworldly creatures to aid him "as he discards the conventional tools of his trade and redefines centuries of tradition," according to a press statement. The intimate space will allow the illusions to be up close and personal.

Angel has been studying the art of music and illusion for years in addition to his studies of martial arts, dance and pyrotechnics. Angel created and directed "MINDFREAK" and wrote the original score along with Klayton. He is backed up by an award-winning team of tech experts, including design by John Farrell (Radio City's Christmas Spectaculars), movement consultation by choreographer Debra Brown (Cirque du Soleil, Madonna's Drowned World Tour 2001), creature design and construction by Steve Johnson ("Men in Black," "Species") and lighting by seven-time Tony Award winners Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer.

Angel said in a statement, "I want the audience to connect emotionally to each moment and for the lines of reality and illusion to be blurred. I believe that's what keeps people on the edge of their seats." Criss Angel MINDFREAK begins Nov. 20 at the World Underground Theatre at WWF New York (Broadway and 43rd Street). Tickets went on sale Monday, Oct. 29 and can be purchased at WWF New York or by calling Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4100.

— Steve Luber and David Lefkowitz