The stage is set with splashes of red light paired with offbeat yet catchy synthesizer music, setting the tone for the evening. Offbeat is just one word that aptly describes Esoterica, but considering the title gives fair warning of the inane subject matter, one can't help but remember that we did in fact ask for it.

Performer Eric Walton sells himself as a renaissance man of magic, dipping into many academic subjects during the show. It's basically as if Walton is regurgitating what he has memorized from an encyclopedia, interspersed with mediocre sleight of hand. It is impossible to ignore that Walton's random litany seems to be the draw from almost every area of a liberal arts education. I guess now we know what to do with that BA in English.

Always ready to gamble, Walton bets audience members anything from five tootsie rolls (his third favorite form of currency) to $100, although his magic with cards always gives him the winning hand. From casino dealer to conjurer of the dead, Walton really proves to be a jack-of-all-trades.

Despite the absurdity and lack of cohesion in the show, the goal of the performance seemed to be for Walton to show off his elocution of an extensive vocabulary, memorization skills, and collection of foreign accents. He was very quick and witty in his delivery of lines, which he actually wrote himself without the help of an all-star writing cast. Walton's dominating presence on the small stage creates an intense, in-your-face atmosphere. He makes good use of the space and captivates attention at all times. Walton proves to be a colorful storyteller and orator, despite the random choice of topics.

One thing that can be said for Walton is that he kept up his intense energy throughout both of the acts. Walton never tired of his long monologues and seemed to be enjoying himself as well. He definitely inspired some chuckles and even a gasp here and there from the audience, but the end result was that Walton came across as someone who you might like to know, but not pay to watch for two hours.

The crescendo of the first act is a seance where Walton implores the spirit world to transport a Mr. "Potahto" Head doll into the confines of an oversized novelty martini glass. Flickering lights and a dramatic soundtrack add to the comedy of the event. This was the highest point of the show, second only to when the comedian-magician attempted to play chess, solve math problems, and rattle off state trivia all at the same time. While he did have an impressive knowledge of U.S. capitals, it just went on too long.

The tricks did pick up during the second act, and Walton was able to do some slick dealing of the cards. One impressive stunt had an audience member throw a dart to pick a card that is somehow the same card as one suspended in the air in a pre-sealed envelope. A dark and alluring assistant, who brings drinks to Walton from time to time, provides additional comic relief. Be forewarned, this is a show entirely dependent on audience participation and DR2 is a tiny theater so you are liable to get chosen. Luckily, there was no attempt to cut a participant in half.

Esoterica is not your traditional off-Broadway show, magic show, or comedy routine-it's a combination of all three. The production is kind of like peanut-butter-and-jelly pizza-a combination of basically good things, but together they just don't work. Unless you're the kind of person who likes PB & J on pizza, in which case the show is probably for you.