Derek Delguadio’s In & Of Itself Now on Hulu

In & Of Itself Review:

How do you write a review about a film without going into detail about the film? I’m about to find out. Welcome to my review of In & Of Itself performed and written by Derek Delguadio - now streaming on Hulu. 

So how does a magic show end up on a haunted house website? 
Well, it’s not really a magic show. 
Okay… so how does a documentary end up on a horror blog? 
Well, it’s actually not really a documentary either. 
Hmm, so what is it? 
Now that’s a good question.

As a magician myself, I’ve known of Derek Delguadio for quite a long time. What always fascinated me about him was he always wanted to do something more. More than just a magic show. Something more than just easy corporate shows. There had to be more to this thing and he went on a journey to discover it. 

I first heard about In & Of Itself when it debuted at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. Every review was so specifically vague because they didn’t want to reveal the identity of what this “thing” is. Because of that I became more obsessed with finding out what “it” is. Living in South Dakota I figured I’d never make the trek to see the performance before it closed so I researched everything I could find. I knew there was a book and a gold brick. Only one playing card routine, which I found interesting since I labeled Derek as a “card guy”. I also knew there was an elephant that comes in the show and you choose how you want to be seen before entering. 

In & Of Itself in New York at the Daryl Roth Theatre

Of course the show closed before I had the opportunity to experience it… but… but wait it was reopening in New York! Again, I figured I’d never have the chance to see it, but was always hopeful. Then randomly I got called to help out with a gig in New Jersey, roughly 30 minutes from New York. I purchased my ticket to In & Of Itself as soon as I heard I would be in the area. Words literally can’t even begin to describe the performance. More importantly, words can’t describe the impact the show had on me.  After seeing it the first time… a few months later I drove from South Dakota to New York just to see it again. It’s that good. 

In & Of Itself Comes to Hulu

Since the show has since closed, it’s now been created into an hour and a half film directed by Frank Oz (who also directed the stage version) and executive produced by Stephen Colbert and his wife, Evelyn. 

I was skeptical how the live show would translate to film and it did not disappoint. It’s actually kind of different - its own thing. The opening monologue Derek opened the live show with is cut from the film, however he uses elements of that monologue in a different way throughout. The live show was most powerful with its interactive moments, which in the film we get to see different people’s reactions - a really nice touch. The film dives into a deep metaphorical journey of identity. It’s art… it’s magic… it’s theater… it’s storytelling - it’s more than just one thing.

What is In & Of Itself?

Derek was asked to write a response about the Hulu release and on Twitter had some interesting insight into creating the show. “It won’t really be a show though. It’ll just look like one.” Frank Oz asked, “What is it then?” Derek replied, “I don’t know we haven’t made it yet.” 

Okay so now you might be asking yourself what is the show about?

Well, all I want to say is there’s a book and a gold brick. There’s also an elephant (which I didn’t see the first time I saw the live show). And you really have to see it to understand.

So why is this review on a Halloween themed website? Because it’s a film everyone should see with stories everyone should know. 

In & Of Itself is now streaming on Hulu. Please take a moment to watch it and let’s talk about it on Twitter @terror29haunt. 

Derek Delguadio and myself in New York after the Performance of In & Of Itself:

PS - Derek gave me permission to take the gold brick. As seen in the photo at the beginning of the blog post, it’s sitting on a shelf as an everyday reminder that we can be more than one thing. And that we are all the gold brick.