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| Helder Guimarães |
By Darlene Donloe
Helder Guimarães is a master magician and a master storyteller who weaves them together to present a wonderous night of theater called, The Hope Theory.
The world premiere production, directed by EGOT award-winning director/producer Frank Marshall (Indiana Jones, Jason Bourne, Jurassic World) and written and performed by Guimarães, is currently playing in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood through June 30, 2024.
The show, from Guimarães and Marshall, the creators of Invisible Tango, The Present, and The Future, The Hope Theory spins a tale about Guimarães who arrived in America at age 29.
When he got to the States, he was wide-eyed and full of ideas and soon discovered a fascinating puzzle of cultural and professional challenges to solve while he tried to build a home.
The Hope Theory offers a unique perspective on America through the eyes of an optimistic outsider.
According to hope theory (and many other schools of thought), at some point in human evolution, we developed the ability to conceptualize time in terms of past, present, and future (psychologist C. R. Snyder, 2002). As a result, humans can organize their behaviors to bring about desired future conditions (i.e., goals).
A Portuguese-born performer, Guimarães has a unique approach to sleight of hand magic and storytelling that holds an audience spellbound.
A master of illusions, Guimarães starts his show by standing center stage in what looks like a slightly disheveled, newly moved-in apartment.
As he starts to put things in their place, he takes the audience on a journey through his life. It’s a ride that takes him from being a 29-year-old immigrant when he arrives in America, to ultimately becoming a U.S. citizen.
Two people prominently factor into his tale – one is a so-called friend named Jason, and the other is his girlfriend, who would follow him to America.
He talks about his country and America’s respective traditions. One in particular is how the Portuguese stand on furniture when the clock is about to strike midnight on New Year’s Eve. He did it at a party filled with Americans – and received the side-eye.
He speaks of betrayal by a man he thought was his friend – but who, it turns out – wasn’t.
Guimarães arrived in America wide-eyed and full of ideas – some of which were quickly dashed due to a fascinating mix of cultural and professional challenges that awaited him. Alone in America with his girlfriend, Guimarães soon found that he must understand and deal with all of those challenges while trying to build a home in a new country.
Written and performed by master illusionist and storyteller Helder Guimaraes and directed/produced by award-winning Frank Marshall – co-creators of “Invisible Tango,” “The Present,” and “The Future” – THE HOPE THEORY made its world premiere in 2024.
He has earned titles like the World Champion of Magic, Parlor Magician of the Year, Allan Slaight’s Sharing Wonder recipient, and Ascanio Prize winner.
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| Helder Guimarães |
Guimarães’ unique approach to sleight-of-hand magic and storytelling was featured in his previous creations Nothing to Hide, Borrowed Time, and Verso.
Using his knowledge of deception, Guimarães regularly consults for entities like NBC, Disney, and Warner. As an example, he trained Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett for Ocean’s 8.
This play offers a unique perspective on America through the eyes of an optimistic outsider.
Guimaraes sets just the right tone in his presentation. It’s part like he’s giving a lecture, and part having a conversation with a friend. In between, he amazes the audience with his magical mysteries – leaving everyone shaking their heads.
It’s a wonderful night of theater that can’t be missed!
It’s blasphemous to call what Guimaraes does as “tricks.” His illusions are astonishing. Throughout the night there were whispers of “How did he do that?” especially from some of the audience members who were recruited to be part of the illusion. What he does on stage goes beyond Abracadabra and Presto Chango. It truly is magic.
How’d he do that?
THE HOPE THEORY, The Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024, 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sundays, through June 30, 2024. Spanish language performances are scheduled at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8; at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 19; and at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024. Tickets are $30-$129. For information and reservations, call 310-208-2028 or go online.
On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah), and E (excellent), The Hope Theory gets an E (excellent).
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