Tag: Dan Sperry

WonderBash is Coming – Not Just Magic Tricks

Promo Poster for WonderBashWe just heard from our friends in Grand Rapids, Michigan that a new convention is on tap for April.  If you have news you would like to share with our tens of readers, just hit the submit button above and let us know.  We’re always looking for good magic news.

Introducing a new magic convention that’s “more than tricks” : WonderBash April 21-23 in Grand Rapids, MI. Only 150 registrations available. Register now and book your discounted room at the beautiful Amway Grand Plaza Hotel before spaces run out! morethantricks.com

3 Stage Shows at Wealthy Theatre

Shock Illusionist Dan Sperry “Strange Magic” (Full Theatre Show)

Mario the Maker Magician LIVE (Full Theatre Show)

Amaze & Amuse: A Modern Day Magic Show ( Ft. Michael Turco, Paige Thompson, Trent James, Elliott Hunter and Will Juggle)

6 Lectures (Mario the Maker Magician, Rick Merrill, Dan Sperry, Michael Turco, Trent James, Steve Cabe)

Exclusive Book (only available to Wonderbash Registrants / Never to be reprinted) Contributions from WonderBash Performers and other top magicians including Jeff Hobson, Farrell Dillon, Fred Becker, Bill Cook, Louie Foxx and more!

Seminar and Conversation on Mental Health for Entertainers with Jeff Veley

Close-Up Show featuring Paige Thompson and Luis Carreon.

Thursday Night Comedy Show with Andy Beningo and Friends

and many more surprises!

Hollywood Press Ga-Ga Over the Illusionists

The IllusionistsOut here in the greater Hollywood environs, just about everyone gets The Wrap delivered throughout the day to their email address.

It is one of the industry news sources, along with The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, relied upon by those in power and those hoping to one day attain power.

The Wrap emails come as entertainment news breaks: a dependable Hollywood star loses funding on his next big movie, a venerable talent agency picks up a new five-star client, a disgruntled writer sues a studio for allegedly ripping off a script idea.  If Congress decided to declare war on Canada, it would not likely be in The Wrap, Hollywood Reporter or Variety unless it affected production on some film project in Toronto.

The big three also publish reviews of plays, movies, live shows and artistic endeavors.  The Hollywood reviewers are usually very knowledgeable and pragmatic in their evaluation of the shows.  They can also be brutal.

We were relieved, then, to read the glowing reviews of The Illusionists: Witness the Impossible in The Wrap.

The producers of that ill-fated “Houdini” musical starring Hugh Jackman can let out a collective sigh of relief that their star decided not to do the show. “The Illusionists: Witness the Impossible” opened Thursday at the Marquis Theatre and there’s no way a tuner based on the life of the world’s most famous illusionist could possibly be any more fun and awe-inspiring than this new magic show on Broadway.

The review describes the performers in glowing terms and with the enthusiasm normally found in a devotee rather than a jaded critic.

“Anyone who’s ever seen newsreels of Houdini performing this feat, or others like it, has wanted to go back in time to experience first-hand the cheesy excitement of seeing a brilliant stunt performer at work risking his life. Here’s your chance.”

The reviewer describes Inside Magic Favorite Dan Sperry’s performance as the most frightening.

The scariest moment in the show, however, involved a woman from out of town who really, really didn’t want to play a game of Russian roulette with the very Goth and genuinely weird Dan Sperry (The Anti-Conjuror). By the way, what is an anti-conjuror? Whatever, in addition to creeping people out, Sperry conjures up a whole menagerie of flying birds from his Count Dracula get-up. Truly amazing.

The Illusionists: Witness the Impossible runs through January 4 on Broadway before embarking on a multi-city tour of the United States.

Read The Wrap’s review here.

The Illusionists Get Ready in Akron for Broadway Run

Inside Magic Image of IllusionistsAkron, Ohio is magic.

We have said it for years.  Usually it seems out of context but today, finally, it actually matches the rest of our message.

You may know Akron for its proud industrial history – The Rubber Capital of the World with B.F. Goodrich Tire, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Firestone Tire and General Tire all having a historic role in turning the former canal town into a global manufacturing hub.  Or you may know it for the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame, the All-American Soap Box Derby or even as the birth place of Alcoholics Anonymous, oatmeal and artificial fishing bait.

And now, Akron is home to The Illusionists – Witness the Impossible as it readies for its run on Broadway.  The cast and crew have been quartered in Akron perfecting the show before moving to New York City.  They will try it out for audience in Akron Wednesday and Thursday at the University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall.

The show has had a 10-day pre-production schedule in preparation for its six-week Broadway run and 30-city U.S. tour.  The show may be new to Akron and Broadway but many of the magicians have been performing together in earlier iterations of the spectacle over the last two years in Australia, Mexico, Latin America, South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Who is in the cast?  Funny you should ask.  We have it on good authority that the seven magician are: Kevin James, Dan Sperry, Yu Ho-Jin, Andrew Basso, Aaron Crow and Jeff Hobson.

We love living in West Hollywood for its sunshine, proximity to places where they sell baked goods for domestic animals and The Magic Castle, but wish we were back in Mystic Hollow, Michigan for the short drive down to Akron.  Akron is always magic but this week will be even more so.

Visit their ticket site if you are in the Akron area.  There are just a few seats left.

Read more about their pre-Broadway prep in  The Akron Beacon-Journal here.

 

“The Las Vegas Kid” Chris Randall Featured

Magician Chris Randall - The Las Vegas Kid Las Vegas Weekly gives Magician Chris Randall the type of coverage we have often sought but never found.

The profile runs above and below the fold and features an interview with Mr. Randall, also known as ‘The Las Vegas Kid.’

First, let’s establish Mr. Randall’s bona fides:

Before Criss Angel and Steve Wyrick became headliners in town, “The Las Vegas Kid” was here.

As a native, he was known for making watches and wallets disappear from unsuspecting owners, performing card tricks in the back of a Las Vegas Academy theatre class or appearing to stick nails up his nose.

Learning the ropes on The Strip while still attending high school, Randall has now toured the world with his unique brand of Vegas-based classical magic that doesn’t involve sawing ladies in half or massive amounts of gaudy jewelry.

The interview traces Mr. Randall’s trek to his current well-deserved position, on the cusp of hitting it big in the biggest of all venues.

While not an overnight success, he is a success and on the verge of becoming a household name.

Continue reading ““The Las Vegas Kid” Chris Randall Featured”