Putting more funny and entertainment in your act

When you think about it, magic tricks and jokes share a very similar style. In a joke, a comedian sets up in words a story or scenario that unexpectedly changes at the last minute creating laughs. In magic, the magician shows or explains how something is impossible and can’t be done and then unexpectedly defies reality to do it; resulting in applause. Sadly, you must be warned before you read...

Wheels of Mystery

Not long ago, I watched the 2007 J.J. Abram’s TED Talk about unseen mysteries and the potential that they represent. A centerpiece of the talk is a “mystery magic box” from Tannen’s Magic Shop, which Abrams bought as a young boy. Abrams still has it and shows it to the audience during his fascinating speech. The box was sold as a “grab bag”—the contents of the...

What is Education?

As a college professor and magician, I have spent a long time thinking about this profound question. One reason for my focused attention is fairly obvious: I am in the “education business” and an “educator” so it seems pretty important to get clear about what I should be doing. But another reason is that “education” seems to have become a problem in the subculture of magic. Why do I say that?...

There is magic all around us!

Many years ago, I wrote a song with the refrain, “Behold, there is magic all around us.”  Today, more than ever, I am realizing how deeply true this simple statement is.  When I wrote the song, I was visiting Jeff in his New York City apartment.  He had gone out, to pick up some food for us, and I was waiting, alone, in his space.  I remember looking around, and seeing the variety of...

Tips from a professional Master of Ceremonies

1) Prepare for the show. It may sound obvious, but you would be surprised how many performers think they can just wing it as an MC.  You CAN wing it, but you don’t want to.  For a standard introduction, here are three bullet points that I find work well: 1) an accomplishment like an award or book; 2) a personal fact like where they live; and 3) something that appeals to the emotional side...