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Named after music legend Bobby Darin, Darren grew up in his hometown of East Meadow, NY to
the songs of his namesake and other music legends. His home was always filled with music. While
his parents helped to foster a great appreciation of the arts, it wasn't until high school that
Darren discovered his passion for singing, through his performances in musicals including
Bye Bye Birdie and Pippin.
It was his musical theatre dramatics that eventually led to his unique approach to the
performance of magic. Acknowledging that there's something magical about music, Darren set out
to meld the two disciplines. Though he explored all types of music, Darren was tremendously
influenced by the work of Andrew Lloyd Webber,
whose compositions are featured in several pieces in Darren's show.
Though he was inspired emotionally and creatively by all genres of music, Darren's first
collaboration between magic and music came in the form of a tribute to his namesake, the late
recording sensation, Bobby Darin. Singing
one of Bobby Darin's hit songs, Darren theatrically turned the startling appearance of a woman
into the magical creation of a "Dream Lover", per the lyrics of the tune.
Soon after the Bobby Darin piece, Darren focused his attention on musical theater and
created a routine sung to a Phantom of the Opera medley. Given the success of these
first two collaborations, Darren's peers began to label him "The Voice of Magic."
In 1995, Darren received acclaim for his starring role as "The Boy" in the legendary Off-Broadway
musical The Fantasticks, the longest-running musical in the world and Romeo's first theatrical role outside of magic.
Romeo was the youngest person ever to star in the production. The Off-Broadway show not only
broadened Darren's experience as an actor, but it provided the necessary inspiration for
Darren to begin composing his ultimate vision — a full musical.
In partnership with The Fantasticks casting director, Jim Cook, Darren undertook
the creation of a mega-magic musical called Dreamscape. Darren musically composed
the pieces as Jim Cook helped to co-write the lyrics. While still an evolving work-in-progress,
the title song from Dreamscape provides the running theme for Darren's new show at The Mirage.
Darren has also written many contemporary songs, some of which have developed into magical
presentations that can be heard (and seen!) in the new show. The complete soundtrack from the
show is currently available for purchase, and can be purchased at either at the show, through most online music stores or from our Merchandise section.
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