IN & OF ITSELF.

• Author: Shackford, Scott
• Position: THEATER

Derek DelGaudio's In & Of Itself is not merely a magic show, though the award-winning magician pulls off a handful of truly amazing tricks during the performance. It's not simply a one-man play, though DelGaudio's engaging autobiographical monologues would keep audiences rapt even without the illusions. And it's not best described as an interactive experience, though DelGaudio's most impactful maneuvers involve his relationship with the audience.

In & Of Itself is all three of these ideas combined in a complicated, compelling, and deeply moving package that is difficult to explain without spoiling. The stage show ran in Los Angeles and off-Broadway for more than 500 performances. Frank Oz directed and co-produced a film of the...