Weekend of comedy, magic, variety coming

By Bob Mathews, FMWR Marketing Publicity SpecialistOctober 26, 2011

Magic picture
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. - "For 75 to 90 minutes, you will laugh, be amazed and laugh some more. Its comedy, magic and variety. Not your typical magic show. There is a lot of smart and clever humor, along with some adult content - but nothing blue.

"It's packed with tons of audience participation and it's always fun to watch my wife Kimberly read minds."

The speaker was Jeff Bornstein, a comedian, magician, actor and stuntman. He was describing what's in store for Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield audiences when Operation Magic comes to Club Stewart and Hunter Club on Nov. 4 and Nov. 5 respectively.

Comedian David Beck will contribute to the evening of entertainment that is Operation Magic.

The Bornsteins and Operation Magic are part of a weekend of magic and laughter. On Nov. 5 at Thunder Run on Fort Stewart, Army Entertainment will present Laugh Out Loud, with Danny Cho from Mad TV as the headline on a bill that also includes A Pair of Nuts. The LOL show will be hosted by Cerrome. Both shows are open to eligible patrons 18 and older.

Jeff and Kimberly look forward to performing at Stewart-Hunter and, as time allows, meeting Soldiers and their Families on post prior to the shows and after the performances.

"The time I most enjoy about Operation Magic is when we get to hang out after the show and meet and greet the Soldiers," Kimberly said. "We autograph pictures and give away Operation Magic pens, bookmarks and postcards.

"I believe getting to personally thank each and every Family that comes up to us is such an honor. Hearing the Families say 'Thank you, we really appreciate all you are doing,' wow, what a great feeling it is to give to these Families that give to us more than we know," Kimberly said.

Jeff, who served in the Army from 1980 to 1989, did not see combat. He jokes, "I had to go to Iraq to entertain in 2004 to get shot at in a Blackhawk. I guess the locals in Baghdad didn't like my camel joke." What are his thoughts about today's military men and women? "They are all heroes!"

He was asked to describe what Soldiers and their Families might expect from the show.

"I'd put it this way," he said. "If you're not laughing then it's magic. When you experience Operation Magic, we want each and every person to leave our show with the feeling of being in awe. Prepare yourself for lots of laughs, surprises and tons of audience participation. The message of the show is, it's all about communication."

Kimberly enjoys the personal side of performing at military bases. She described how an encounter at Fort Riley with a young mother and her 10-year-old son brought tears to her eyes.

"She began to tell me just how much she and her son enjoyed Operation Magic. She said, 'We really needed this,' and told me her husband had just been deployed to Iraq and she was so scared he might not come back. Her son then told me 'I am the man of the house now while my dad is gone and I take care of my Momma!'"

When schedules permit, the Bornsteins try to walk around the base to greet Soldiers and Family Members, "even if it is just walking up to them and saying thank you," Kimberly said.

For more information about Operation: Magic, go to www.myPPK.com/get/operationmagic. For more information about the shows, or tickets, call 912-368-2212.

Magic and Laughter

The weekend of Nov. 4 and Nov. 5 will be filled with magic, mind-reading and laughter at Club Stewart and Hunter Club. Both shows are open to eligible patrons 18 and older. Here, at a glance, is the schedule:

NOV. 4: Operating Magic, featuring Jeff and Kimberly Bornstein, bring a mixture of magic and mind-reading to Club Stewart. Comedian David Beck will add to the laughter and fun. Dinner, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., will be followed by the show at 8 p.m.

NOV. 5: Operation Magic brings its show to Hunter Club. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Dinner will not be served, but there will be a cash bar and snacks available for purchase.

NOV. 5 : Army Entertainment's Laugh Out Loud comedy tour comes to Thunder Run in Club Stewart at 8 p.m. The laughter lineup will keep you in stitches: Danny Cho of Mad TV; A Pair of Nuts, Emmy Award-winners seen on VH1, Carson Daly and BET; and show host Cerrome from BET's Hell Date.

THE COST: Operation Magic: $15 per person general admission, $25 per person with dinner. Laugh Out Loud: $15 per person.

WEEKEND PACKAGE PRICE: $35 for Operation Magic dinner and show and Laugh Out Loud.

MORE INFORMATION: 912-368-2212.