(music).
Good morning everybody!
Welcome to the show.
I'm Olga Villaverde.
And I'm Amber Milt!
Welcome to the Balancing Act.
And today we've got a very special morning for you because
Amber brought Broadway right here to the show.
Oh yes, we're going to sit down with the
talented Trickster from the Illusionists, that's that smash
Broadway production that's about to head out on tour.
I love magic and I'm heading out to
learn some easy and affordable ways to upgrade your home.
Not a bad idea.
Sounds like a great idea.
Plus we've got a faith based education and a taste of
the tropics, courtesy of Chef Ralph Pagano.
And considering I am hispanic, I love the tropics.
Oh and I love to eat.
The Balancing Act starts right now.
There you go.
(music).
(VO)Broadway Balances America
brought to you by Broadway Across America.
Bringing the best of Broadway to a city near
you.
(music).
Time now for another installment of Broadway
Balances America, our series that takes you behind the scenes
of some of the most beloved Broadway musicals as they travel
across the country and right into your local theaters.
And today we're in the studio here
joined by Jeff Hobson.
He is the Trickster on the Broadway
spectacular the Illusionists.
Welcome to the Balancing Act.
Thank you, what a treat.
Thanks for inviting me.
Oh so glad to have you.
Now let's talk about the show a little bit.
Sure.
I mean you guys have wowed people
from all over the world with this.
We've been very blessed to be one of the biggest selling
magic show in Broadway history.
Fabulous.
Yeah, yeah, it's great.
Now I got to see the show on Broadway.
It was amazing.
Every single minute is jaw dropping.
Jaw dropping, unbelievable.
It was fantastic.
It was a wow factor.
Definitely a wow factor.
I would have to say this one of the best shows
that I've ever seen.
You think of yourself as a man of science,
and then they broke the laws of physics.
I see Broadway at least a couple of times a year, and
this ranks at the top.
So tell us a little bit about some of
the other acts we're going to see.
We have a variety show of magic.
We're known as the Avengers cause we all have our
different names in the show.
We have me, you know, I'm the
Trickster.
We also have the Inventor, Kevin James, original
magic.
We have Andrew Basso, the Escapologist, modern day
Houdini.
The Manipulator, Yuho Jin from Korea, probably the
best slight of hand artist in the world.
We also have Dan Sparry, he's the Anti-Conjuror,
so that's something for the younger set, and very original.
So we have a lot of originality in our show, and it spans quite
a lot of different types of magic.
Grand magic, funny magic, which is me, escapology, and
everything in between.
This is really for everybody.
It is, anyone from 5 to 105 can see the
show.
It's really a good show for everyone.
Really is.
And I got to ask you, you're doing 8
shows a week.
Sometimes up to 12 during Broadway times.
Wow.
12 to 13- we've done 13 in one
week.
That's exhausting.
So how are you keeping it sort of fresh
and exciting for you?
Every time I walk out and see the audience,
different faces in the front and it's a whole new show for me,
cause I know that their reactions are always going to
be- I'm creating magic in their minds for the first time.
Jeff, I am obsessed with magic.
So am I. Yes, so excited.
You're lucky I have a trick for you.
Come on around over here, do you like
card tricks?
I love card tricks!
I hate card tricks, but for you I shall show you one.
Take a look at this.
It's a senior citizen quality pack of playing
cards.
Look at those suckers.
Go ahead, would you please go ahead
and take one out.
Doesn't matter which- go ahead.
Go ahead take one.
You want me to grab it?
Yeah, go ahead.
You gonna look at it?
No, it doesn't matter.
Give it over here to Amber.
Amber I want you to sign it, with this pen, the one they were
giving away at my bank.
Oh stop.
Yup.
Go ahead, sign your name across that one.
Yeah, that'd be great.
Wonderful.
Wunderbar.
Great.
Thank you so much, we'll keep that over here.
Now take a look at this ladies and
gentlemen.
Yes, thank you Vanna for showing the card.
There it is.
Your card, inside the pack, there it is.
Now some people say that if you're really good, why
don't you let someone shuffle the pack.
I say mind your own business, but you're real good,
go ahead, shuffle the pack of cards quickly, just give it a
little- let's see what you can do.
Okay, I'm going to do my one shuffle.
Wait, real quick, real quick let me do it my way.
Oh careful.
Can I do it my way?
Oh, you'd make those dealers in the
casino poop their pants.
Voila!
Nicely done, don't ever do that again.
I won't.
Watch, I will now perform slight of tongue.
I'll take the pack of cards, place it inside my mouth, locate
your card with your signature with my tongue, inside my mouth,
folded three times.
Take a look.
Is this your card?
No.
Okay.
Is this your card?
No.
Is this your card?
No.
It must be somewhere in the middle.
(laughter).
Oh no.
Oh boy.
You're kidding.
Hairball?
No you did not!
Now if you expect me to grab that you're absolutely
insane.
I got it.
Okay.
Every time.
I'm not gonna touch it, could you take it- no.
That is so gross, you were about to do
that.
Don't ever do that - look at this, look look look.
I don't believe it myself, folded once,
twice, three times.
Is that your signature?
That is the signature.
That's amazing.
Oh that was amazing.
That was great.
So great.
The Illusionists is about to go back
on tour.
I know.
It is.
Jeff, thank you so much.
You are the best.
I love the jacket, I already told you that.
I want one in an extra small.
We'll get it.
Okay, I can't wait to see the preview, I mean we got a
preview here.
I can't wait to actually see it, I'm going to
take my girls.
Bring the girls, I'm going to come along with
you.
You're going to see it again?
Yes, yes.
It's a date.
And if you're interested in seeing the Illusionists, you can
check out Broadway Balances America, Broadway Across
America, or you can always come to our website,
theBalancingAct.com for all the show information, tour dates,
and more.
Okay we have a few more seconds, can you show us
one quick one?
Oh, this is just for the Balancing Act.
Check it out, check it out.
Oh yes!
Yes!
Thank you very much!
(music).
We're on location in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida and we're going to show you how you can get
the best of everything in brand name products for your home.
(music).
And joining me this morning is Jason Wall, Vice President
of Marketing and Sales for Rent-A-Center.
Yes.
Good morning.
Thank you so much for coming.
I'm thrilled to be here.
In fact when I walked in, Jason, I was presently surprised.
And that's great to hear.
In fact our customers have grown to
expect these great brand name products from us.
But I think a lot of customers who have never
done business with us walk in and have the same experience you
are.
They're not expecting to see Ashley Furniture, Whirlpool
appliances, LGs, Samsung TVs, and other electronics that can
fit all their different needs, whether it's their living room,
their bedroom, their kids room, all of that.
All right so he said Ashley Furniture, I
actually love them, so let's check that out.
Let's do it.
Olga, you mentioned Ashley.
Mmmhmm.
Why don't you have a seat.
Okay.
So this is Ashley Furniture bedroom set.
Oh my gosh this feels great.
Doesn't it?
Yes!
So we have a lot of bedroom sets from Ashley, and
you can get them in queen size, king size, many options for our
customers.
All right, but you mentioned Ashley and here's what
I'm thinking, people come in and the first thing I think of is
it's expensive.
So do they want quality or do they want some
something that's economical.
Customers want both.
They want both.
Absolutely.
So our customers, we know probably a
third of Americans, are credit constrained.
So with Rent-A-Center what we do is
offer customers these great products we're talking about,
but without credit.
What about someone that maybe is facing
some challenges, you know like they don't have the cash, they
have credit problems, uh, how does Rent-A-Center help out?
You know, at Rent-A-Center you don't
even have to have a social security number.
Oh.
Yeah.
So we just make sure we can verify
where you live, where you work, and that's our approval system.
All right, so from the bedroom let's go to the- Living room
set, yeah let's check one out.
Let's do it, and this would look spectacular in my living room.
It looks so comfortable I'm going to do this- oh my gosh,
this is great!
And you have to open it too, try the handle on
the side.
Oh my gosh this got even better.
Isn't that comfortable?
This is fabulous.
And that's what we're after.
We're after providing our customers a lot of selection, a
lot of configuration- Lots of colors.
Lots of colors, lot of fabrics, pillow backs,
sectionals, sofa love seats, all of it.
All right- Recliners.
Obviously Rent-A-Center you rent here, what are the advantages of
renting as opposed to buying.
No credit, obviously is a big part
of it.
That's huge.
But the fact that they can get it today.
So our customers have needs or
wants and they don't want to wait for it.
So we really help them to get the name brand
products they want and we get it quick and in addition, we don't
have a lot of extra fees.
So if you're shopping in a furniture
store, for example, you may have to pay extra for delivery, set
up, and that's included here.
And what about when it comes to maybe not liking it anymore or
it just doesn't fit your needs?
Are you stuck with it?
No, not at all, that's what's great
about us, is that there's no long term obligation.
And, you know, a really special aspect
that we do is if your products not functioning how you want it,
we will fix it, no charge.
And what if someone, like me, loves
this and says 'okay, this is my dream couch, I want it,' can I
buy it?
Olga, a lot of our customers, that's really what
they're after.
They may start with a temporary need or they
may start out with the intention to own it.
But once that you fall in love with this kind of
product, if you want to keep it, that's rent to own, that's what
we do.
Rent to own.
This is- The majority of our customers want
that.
This has been a great experience.
Well, I tell you what, there's a lot more to see,
how 'bout it?
Okay, let's go see more.
(music).
You know, this has been a great experience, and
what I like is I've just felt like it's a family helping me
out.
You guys really do that one on one.
Well that's because we build a relationship with our
customers.
All right, so if someone out there is interested
in finding a Rent-A-Center near where they live, what do they
do?
We're nationwide, we're in Puerto Rico, we even have stores
in Mexico.
Oh wow.
Yeah.
And online we can go onto?
Yeah online you can search, you can
read more about how it works, what the company does, the
products that we offer.
What's the website?
Rentacenter.com Thank you so much.
Yeah, yeah.
I had a great time.
Yeah it was great.
I'm gonna look into this one.
I like- my husband has always wanted a recliner, and
I've always said no, so maybe now I'll spoil him.
Well maybe we should get an order form
started.
Okay!
That sounds good.
All right, let's do it.
And if you want to get an order form
started, go to our website it's thebalancingact.com, again
thebalancingact.com.
All right, so let's recline together.
Go over there, let's do it on the
count of three.
I'm going to pretend you're my husband and
you just got this.
3, 2, 1.
(music).
Not only is choosing the right college a difficult decision,
it's also one of the most significant investments a
parent can make.
Here to help us navigate through the best
options for both the family and the finances is Dr. Andrew
Abela, provost at the Catholic University of America, and with
him is Somaly Barquet, whose son attends the school.
Good morning to both of you.
Good morning.
Morning.
Doctor, let me start with you.
You know, choosing the right college is a
tough decision and it's not only choosing the profession, it's
also choosing who you're going to become, right?
Yes, yes, that's exactly right.
College is important to your career and so
when you're looking at different colleges you're obviously
thinking what is my son or daughter going to become out of
that, but when you think about what you wish for your son and
daughter it's not just that they have a successful career,
that's important, but you want them to have a purpose driven
life, you want them to have good friends, you want them to be
happy.
The question for them is not just what am I going to do,
but who am I going to become, as you said.
If you're raising your children in an atmosphere
of faith, as they're thinking about who am I going to become,
the faith aspect of your life is primary, it is critical.
And Mrs. Barquet, let me bring you
in.
Your son is in Catholic University, how long has he been
there?
He's been there for one year, he'll be a sophomore-
Does he love it?
Yes.
He really enjoys it.
And when you made that decision, because I'm sure
you went to many colleges around the country and many
universities, how important was it to include that faith with
a good university as well?
My husband and I, it was very
important, so we did go to Catholic University, at first
my son didn't want to go because he thought it was for
seminarians.
Oh goodness.
So he was very hesitant, but we go,
and he does the interview, the walk, he heard President Garvey
speak and did the track for poli-sci, and he felt at home.
He goes 'mom this is home,' and I was so thrilled.
One of the things with Catholic
University which helps the formation is that there are 4
classes that are mandatory, that you take no matter what
your degree is, and it's in theology and philosophy.
And my son, when he found, he was
kicking and screaming, 'No, why do I have to take it.'
A month into the school he says to me,
'Mom I know my education is going to be better than my
friends,' and I go 'Why would you say that?'
He goes 'Because of these classes, it's helped
forming me,' and so it gives that formation, that we so
desire.
Which is so important.
Doctor, for students out there that maybe don't share the
same faith, do they have to share that faith in the
University?
My answer I guess would be no.
No, no.
Obviously the University is open to all
people of all faiths or none.
The majority of our students, no surprise, are Catholic, but we
have a substantial minority that are other Christians, or Jews,
or Muslims, and so on.
We like to think that we are proposing
the faith but not imposing it on anyone.
And so the studies of theology and philosophy and so
on, this will help anybody open up their minds.
You'll ask questions like what's the
meaning of life.
Who isn't interested in that question?
Sure.
That should be part of your university education.
And Mrs. Barquet besides the faith
which is important to you and your husband, what drew you to
Catholic University?
I saw how strong the political science
department was, this is his major, and also the business
department because he was thinking about minoring, and
then I saw how they have a strong support system.
If you are struggling in a particular
subject you make an appointment and you're there.
The community is so important and I think that
Catholic University does offer that.
Doctor, academics, I know you guys have incredible
programs for students coming in.
Yes, academics are very important to us, because
students shouldn't have to choose between a faith based
education or a serious academic one.
So what we try to do is integrate both.
So we talked about politics.
They'll be studying and reading Aristotle
and Plato in the morning and then in the afternoon they
could be interning on Capital Hill.
Or if they're studying biology for example, by
sophomore year they're doing real life cancer research.
Wow.
But again, we're always integrating the faith and the
very serious scholarship.
If they're physics students they
could be interning at the NASA Goddard Space Station for
example.
Very serious, very cutting edge research and
scholarship integrated in a faith based environment.
Mrs. Barquet, let me end with you.
For parents who are trying to make that decision today or
are looking towards the future, especially me, I've got 4 years
and I've got to start thinking about this.
What would you tell me?
I would say find what your child is strong in, their
strengths, and then find a place that you know they're going to
be happy, and that is going to cultivate the wise freedom, and
I think with that will give you peace as well as your child, and
they'll enjoy going there, as my son enjoys, truly, Catholic
University.
It's like a home away from home.
It is, absolutely.
And get tissues, right?
Yes.
Cause I'm going to cry.
Horrible.
It's horrible.
Okay, I'll call you in 4 years, you'll help me there.
Will do.
All right, thank you so much Mrs. Barquet, good luck to your
son, and doctor, for our viewers out there who want more
information on Catholic University what's the website?
The website is CUA.edu.
CUA.edu.
Yes.
And next time, if we ever have another interview with you,
how about if we go onsite?
What a great idea.
It is a beautiful campus.
Thank you so much for your time.
Thank you.
And if you could also go to our website,
and that's theBalancingAct.com.
Don't forget to also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
(music).
All right Amber, so do you believe in dragons?
Only if there's a hot prince behind it.
Oh, I like that.
How about a dragon fruit?
Well that I love.
You do?
I do, it's delicious and good for you too.
So here's a tropical QuickBytes with Chef
Ralph Pagano.
(music).
Get ready for a taste of the tropics.
I'm Chef Ralph Pagano with a QuickByte,
and if you've never tried dragon fruit shame on you,
but get ready to be schooled.
This seasonal tropical dragon fruit is tasty and chock full of
nutrients and vitamins.
We're talking antioxidants here,
vitamin C, all the B vitamins, Omega 3 and 6, calcium, fiber,
it goes on and on.
Plus, it's low in calories, and yes it is a
super food.
Now check this out, it's so good it kind of reminds
you of a kiwi when you put it in your mouth, and it's a gorgeous
fruit both on the inside and out.
It's actually a type of cactus and it comes in two
varieties, red flesh which is sweeter than the white flesh
which is a little bit more mild.
You're gonna look for bright, even colored skin, you're gonna
make sure it's not too soft.
Now let me show you how to cut it.
It's this simple, you ready?
I'm ready.
Just slice it right down the middle, all right?
That looks pretty easy, no?
Then you just pop it out, just like this
onto your cutting board, it couldn't be any easier.
Now slice it up, comes across with
another cut like this, and they're all beautiful and the
same size.
Look at this fruit, it's so beautiful.
You can eat it raw, it tastes so great.
Now check this out, I'm gonna show
you how to make a great tropical fruit salsa with it.
It's no dairy, it's vegan, it's great
for you, you're gonna feel good when you eat the dragon fruit.
Now, come over here to my salsa party.
I've already cut up some of the white flesh that is right
over here.
Gonna mix it together with some of the sweeter red
ones.
Nice balance, I like a balance of power in my life.
Now I'm going to add their friend,
the yellow mango comes to the table right over here.
All the colors are gonna be represented
in my fruit salsa.
I've got jalapeno pepper and red pepper.
Fresh cilantro.
Green onions.
All come to the table.
I've got myself a nice lime, I got my
handy little lime squeezer right here.
No pits.
Spread a little bit of olive oil, spread the
love.
You're gonna mix it up, little crack of salt and pepper,
and this is one great tropical fruit salsa.
We got this dragon fruit from our backyard.
South Florida based grower J&C
Tropicals.
They're a third generation family owned produce
company that packs, imports, and distributes tropical fruits,
roots, and vegetables worldwide.
They've been around for 50 years and that is impressive.
You know this is a seasonal fruit, when
you see it in your favorite produce store, just grab it and
give it a squeeze, and take it home.
And to learn more about getting the taste of the
tropics with dragon fruit, vist JCTropicals.us or our website
theBalancingAct.com.
Remember this has been a QuickByte, but
chew slowly.
(music).
I've got to try that fruit.
I've really- I've never seen it, never heard of it.
It's delicious and not only that but
it's good for you.
Excellent.
All right, and that's our show for today so I actually learned
something on my show today.
Head to our Facebook page and our website, follow us on
Twitter, we've got so much more there.
Thank you for watching everybody.
We'll see you next time.
(music).