The Newest Tops

Stephen Bargatze is an internationally acclaimed comedian and motivational speaker. with over 25 years experience, Stephen is a rare talent among entertainers. His genuine personality endars him to any audience, and he quickly develops a strong positive relationship with the crowd. No longer merely spectators, audiences find themselves caught up in the comedy and amazement of Stephens zany performance. He sticks with direct, simple effects that are easy for the audience to understand. His personal story of overcoming an alcoholic home life as well as a childhood accident that left him with a speech impediment touches men and women on an emotional level.

Editor’s note: With the Get-Together fast approaching, I wanted to highlight one of my favorite Get-Together stories. Fortunately, Mac was only too glad to allow permission for us to reprint this article, originally published in Magic Magazine in 1998. Thanks, Mac! – JS

Everybody who has any sense knows there’s a big difference between a convention and a get-together. A convention takes place at a Convention Center in a big city. A get-together takes place (continue reading…)

Startling Word

According to Merriam-Webster, a decades old word puzzle is again making the rounds on the web. Wayne Dobson produced several years ago the “Startling” effect (sold through Loomis Magic) where this same wonderful puzzle is incorporated into a card prediction routine.

From the minds of the Gospel comedy magic duo Oz and Wilde (used by permission here) comes a terrific routine that can be used for this puzzle. All you need is (continue reading…)

Performing on the oldest stage in the world

First, let me say that I respect and honor every type of magical performance that there is. I say this because many times I am mistakenly thought to be a bit harsh, or too judgmental of folks. Often times, attitudes towards “buskers” (that’s street performers to the thesaurus challenged) can be a little condescending, and ill-founded. I’m not angry at anyone, I’m just proud of what I do. (continue reading…)

Did you ever wonder why people always depict magicians dressed as Amish, undertakers out of a Charles Dickens movie? (Hint: It isn’t just because one of the most famous magicians of the last twenty years is named David Copperfield nor is it because Abbott’s is in the heart of Amish country.)

Hello, and welcome to Wunders. I’m Paul from Wunderground Magic, Inc. and I’ll be wearing black tie and tails as we dig up the man, the mystery, and the myth of Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin (continue reading…)

July brings us one month closer to the Abbott’s Get-Together, and for me, my one true vacation of the year. One of the things they don’t tell you when you leave college to enter the working world is that there is no summer vacation anymore. Talk about a drag! So instead, the yearly trip to Colon has been my summer sanctuary – a chance to do some magic, see old friends, and make new ones, all while enjoying the beautiful village. I do enjoy living in Chicago, but it sure is nice to get out of the city now and then! (continue reading…)

Abbotts Spectacular Finale

Here’s an illusion that is not mentioned in my forthcoming book So You Want To Be An Illusionist. The book, to be released on Thursday, August 6th at my lecture during the annual Magic Get-Together, is a treasure trove of advice and information for the performer who desires basic illusion information, tips, advice and all the “inside dope” that you’ll never find in any book of plans and drawings. It will inform you, amuse you, and —perhaps— ruffle some feathers as I tackle a few controversial topics. Copies should be available from Abbott’s and, of course, directly from me. The price is unknown as I write this. (continue reading…)

“Foot in Mouth Disease”

It was the last day of a long run at Toronto’s “Canadian National Exhibition”, North America’s largest fair. We were performing 10 shows per day. It seemed like more. Besides miscellaneous tasks in the Medicine Show, I performed the only magic trick, the Linking Rings.

The words just came out of my mouth like they always did the previous two hundred times during this engagement. It’s part of my regular patter. Why should this show be any different? (continue reading…)

First let me just tell you I’ve had my hands full the past month or so. My brother had a freak dancing injury… that’s a whole other story. He had knee surgery and now I’m carting him and my mother around. I do try to fit in a show here and there, but let me tell you, it hasn’t been easy. In the mean time we’ve begun rehearsing for this years Abbott’s Magic Get-Together. (continue reading…)

I want to thank you all for the ton of emails I got about my column. I love you all, and I have missed you too! A strange thing happened: I was dancing on the bar at the Ritz, and singing “See What The Boys In the Backroom Will Have” when I heard a shot that missed me. Of course, I knew it was some disgruntled amateur from THAT internet club. They are still jealous that I know the secret of David’s ONE illusions, and they are still talking about it. I went out of my way, without disclosing the secret, to explain it, (the research etc.) 45 people answered and only 5 got it right, including a 15-year-old lad. The others all screaming “camera tricks,” BA, and different versions for stage and TV. They just don’t get it. I’ve been with David and seen the illusion MANY times, and believe me I know how it’s done. But they still scream (continue reading…)

“Picky Picky”

Does this new performance trend that escape artists are gravitating toward bother you? ‘Cause it sure bothers me. The thing I’m talking about is revealing to the audience that you will be escaping, from whatever death defying confinement, using a lock pick. Where is the magic… the mystery… the escape?

In my opinion, the whole effect falls flat. Why strip away the mystery from an escape and reduce it to nothing more than a stunt? (continue reading…)

The Master of Ceremonies remains stoic as the suspense builds in the audience. Time is running out on the escape artist and the M.C. is counting down the seconds. A worried look falls over the faces in the crowd which has gathered this crisp fall day to watch another Colon outdoor magic event. Hundreds of people are lining the streets of Colon as a young woman attempts to escape from a wooden box elevated by a crane before the rope supporting her burns up and she falls to a certain death. More seconds pass as the paramedics, ambulances, and fire trucks stand by. Finally a voice second only to God bellows out “Get Her Out Of There!” (continue reading…)

Abbott’s stage area is a unique situation for any performer. Basically, it is high school gym with a stage at one end under the basket. Once a year, the stage crew manages to transform it into a workable stage for some of the biggest acts in magic. Some acts adapt better than others.

That stage for four days becomes a “Hemp House”. That means there is no fly system. Everything is dead hung. The only moving curtain on stage behind the main curtain is the traveler, which is about 14 feet upstage. (continue reading…)