Show brings together medley of unusual entertainers

To understand producer Jon Fondy's new show, "Avant Garde" at the Plaza, just look up the definition on Wikipedia.

That's what Fondy did.

According to Wikipedia, the term "avant-garde" is French for "advanced guard," but in the English language it's used to refer to anything experimental or innovative in art or culture.

"We used that definition because it refers to the most magnificent forms of art, architecture, dance, performance," Fondy says.

"That's basically what we supply, that unusual, unforeseen kind of entertainment."

"Avant Garde," which opened earlier this month in the Plaza showroom, features a mishmash of acts that Fondy says are unique to the Strip.

There's magician-juggler Juliana Chen, who also directs the show; Ed Alonzo, "The Misfit of Magic"; hip-hop violinist Lindsey Stirling; Venezuelan Sonny Fontana, who does hand shadow puppets; and several other comics, performers and magicians.

"Nobody has ever seen these acts before," Fondy says, at least on the Strip.

The idea for the show was formed after a mutual friend introduced Chen and Fondy a few months ago.

Chen moved to Las Vegas in 2001 from Canada but spends most of her time overseas performing.

Last year, she returned from a stint in Europe and wanted to open a show on the Strip.

"One of the things Las Vegas doesn't need is another magic show," Fondy says. "But she knows some of the most unique entertainers that do these incredible acts. I thought we could put together a unique collection of entertainers."

One member of the cast, comic illusionist Kevin James, likes to shoot cannonballs through people.

"He does really bizarre stuff. It makes you go, 'How the heck does he do that?' " Fondy says.

The idea was to make the 75-minute show a feast for the senses, Chen notes, starting from the moment audience members walk into the theater.

They created an effect using 10-foot-long pieces of silk hanging from the ceiling. The silks "dance" 20 feet in the air, thanks to the air from some magic fans.

Fondy also wanted to create a show that had wide appeal, so "Avant Garde" is family-friendly. They are even talking about doing a Saturday matinee show for kids.

For more information, visit avantgardelasvegas.com.

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564. Follow @StripSonya on Twitter.