By Kathryn Reed

STATELINE — Eagerly giving up their diamond rings, three women and a roomful of people saw a guy put them in tissue. But they weren’t in the tissue as he tore it up. They ended up in a box with a bow.

While this might seem ordinary, it wasn’t. No one saw the guy put them in the box and we were sitting right in front of him.

Tony Clark, center, has Sarrah and Jeff tie him up at MontBleu on Aug. 6. Photos/Kathryn Reed

“I don’t understand.” That was the feeling I had the whole time watching Masters of Magic at MontBleu. And for the entertainers on the casino’s stage that’s just how they like it.

Magician Tony Clark joked, “The more you drink, the more magic you see.” The sober truth is the sleight of hand and illusion displayed brought forth remarks of “That was cool.” and “How did he do that?” from the children and parents in the audience.

Sitting up close means a good chance of becoming part of the entertainment. Clark brought Jeff and Sarah on stage to help tie his wrists. A little adult humor was thrown in that likely went over the heads of the kids in the crowd.

Clark had put his watch in his back pocket. The couple made sure the rope was secure, solid – nothing funny about it. Before anyone could say abracadabra, Clark was no longer tied up in knots and his watch was back on.

Illusionist Danny Cole completely changed outfits before our eyes. From red suit to black; ties came and went. But no one ever saw him get undressed. His wardrobe just changed right before our eyes without us knowing how.

Much of the time the audience was silent. They must have been like me – too busy trying to figure out what was going on, scratching their heads and unable to put their hands together.

Bryson Lane juggles sickles.

I know my lack of applause had nothing to do with not being appreciative of what was going on before me – instead, it had everything to do with wanting them to go a little slower, maybe, just maybe then I would figure out how they did it.

Bryson Lane takes juggling to a new level with sickles being tossed in the air as he chomps on a stick that has a spinning ball on it.

Joel Ward makes Stacey disappear into a box that he seems to slice in half. Somehow she reappears in the audience.

This is one of the shows that leaves you entertained as well as frustrated because you keep wondering how they do what they do.

Joel Ward seems to cut Stacey (in the box) in half.

The hour-plus show features Tony Clark, Joel Ward, Bryson Lang, Danny Cole and assistant Stacey. It runs through Sept. 5, Wednesday-Sunday at 8pm at MontBleu casino in Stateline. Cost is $19.95 for adults, $12.95 for ages 17 and younger. For more information, call (775) 588.3515.