By Nina King
Imperial Palace 2 p.m. Wed.-Mon., $34-$44 plus tax and fee. 702.755.2190
You know, I could be wrong, but I don’t think it is as easy as he makes it look. By “it” I mean juggling, and by “he” I mean Jeff Civillico, who blends a mix of comedy and juggling into his afternoon show. Civillico proves his mettle from the get-go, bounding onstage and balancing a hat, a chair and a ladder on the lower part of his face. (Talk about taking it on the chin!)
Civillico is a master at juggling beanbags, balls and rings, under the spotlight, in the dark and on a unicycle. He’s nearly as good with the one-liners, “cheesy Zoolander looks” (his words, not mine) and what-should-be-patented wedgie pulls. In short order, Civillico gets the audience working with him, juggling marshmallows and throwing clubs. With the aim of some of the volunteers, it’s no wonder he makes those Zoolander faces. At a recent show, one small boy tried mightily to keep a stoic face, while Civillico kept him spinning plates on sticks. But a few customized yoga moves accompanied by the funny expressions emanating from Civillico’s mug proved more than the lad could handle.
Civillico says he holds the endurance record for five-ball juggling. Well, if his record ever falls, he’s certainly got that wedgie-pull down.
