“Conned” January 17 at Detroit’s City Theatre
This Thursday evening, we were fortunate enough to be in the audience for the opening night of “Conned” at Detroit’s’ City Theatre. This 3-hour show is a break from the typical live entertainment that you’re used to. With help from four real-life master conmen, the audience is treated to the tricks of the trade on how con jobs happen. The members of the shows ensemble are Todd Robbins, Richard Turner, Banachek and Bob Arno.
Bob Arno is a master pickpocket who didn’t hesitate to steal wallets, glasses, ties, and watches from the audience members before and during the show. At one point in the show he stole the undershirt out from inside of an audience member’s sweater. Sporting a single named moniker, Banachek, is a highly captivating mentalist. He was able to correctly read several members of the audience’s minds, and with the help of a lovely lady, bent forks and other metallic objects using only the power of their mind. Richard Turner is a master of deception when it comes to gambling tricks; he was able to captivate the audience while showing all different ways to cheat and lie while engaging in card games. Lastly, we had the narrator of the show, Todd Robbins. Robbins demonstrated all different types of cons including a few that will get me a free drink at pretty much any bar.
This crew of likable deceivers engaged the audience in much thievery and other cheating antics. At one point in the show, Robbins humorously ate a real light bulb [ed note: I've talked to Robbins about this and it is not a trick!] while the audience cringed from the sounds of the crunching in his mouth. Throughout the show, the fifth member of the cast is the audience. Audience members get involved in close to every deceptive set up.
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| Bob Arno explains to a Detroit Police officer that he's not going to steal his wallet. |
“Conned” thrives from its audience participation which incites laughter upon more laughter. This is the type of show that would work well on television as well as in Las Vegas or even on cruise lines. “Conned” is a great date idea and breaks the monotony from the typical date show entertainment of concerts, theatre or movies. I must add that I immensely enjoy the intimacy of the City Theatre. Located inside of Hockey Town Café, it is the former home of Detroit’s Second City troupe. It is well maintained and brings in very interesting entertainment. The last show that we saw there was the excellent “Evil Dead: The Musical” and as of now we’re batting 2 for 2! At a price of less than $35 for the most expensive ticket to this 3-hour show you cannot go wrong!
“Conned” runs at the City Theatre in Detroit through January 27.