The Kamikaze Fireflies crashed into California State University, Stanislaus’s Mainstage Theater last week, exploding in a mess of wild fun. Performers Robert Williams and Casey Martin provided 70 minutes of nonstop entertainment.
“I kind of looked them up before I came in, and they met every expectation I had,” Matthew Pope (senior, Criminal Justice) said.
I, on the other hand, had no informed expectation and was ready for anything. Williams and Martin challenged my openness by, after warming up the audience with a few jokes, having us  break the ice by hugging someone next to us.
Their first trick involved metal cups and inventiveness. The juggling, stacking and flipping of cups kept all eyes on the stage, waiting expectantly for the first cup to hit the ground. When it did the audience had a forgiving heart, and rightfully so.
“I like how they [got] the crowd into the show and got the crowd involved,” Daniel Arreola, audience member, said.
During one act in particular, Williams needed the crowd’s positive “you can do it” cheers as he successfully stacked five wooden chairs on top of one another while climbing them. Williams even went a step further, juggling three clubs on the peak of his dangerously daring pile of chairs before climbing down and claiming his applause.

“I thought it was one of the best [shows] I’ve seen so far.”

— Matthew Pope

Martin also did her part in successfully wowing the audience. A randomly chosen audience member named Matt was called to the stage. Asking his weight, Martin bravely went on bending her body into a human chair. Weighing in at 185 pounds, Matt sat down on her and was handed two spinning plates held up by thin wooden sticks.
The trick was a success: Martin shaking limbs and all had proven herself a worthy chair substitute. The audience was in awe at the clear example of strength and balance demonstrated.
All night long, trick after trick, the duo kept the audience on the edge of their seats with acts full of  amazement and suspense.
The finale time came and went faster than a blink, but one faithful audience member shouted out, “Let’s make them do an encore.” And just like that Williams and Martin were back on stage. Martin got inside of a life-size, clear inflatable ball with a proposal.
Williams organized the audience into a tight, even group and on his count Martin  crowd-surfed.
Everyone reached out as she rolled over us, trying to get in on the action. It was definitely the cherry on top of a wonderful performance.
Pope remarked on how the performance was a perfect one to close out his time at CSU Stanislaus: “I thought it was one of the best [shows] I’ve seen so far.”