Peter DePaula, who starred in the national tour of the hit musical The Magic Show, directly after it created a sensation on Broadway in the 1970s, will discuss his experiences performing in the influential production in The Magic Show the Musical and Me, an event presented Thursday, October 4, by the Parent Assembly of The Society of American Magicians. Peter will provide a behind-the-scenes view revealing how he was cast in the production (in the role created by Doug Henning), how he learned the material, including the major illusions it contained, and what it was like to tour the country at the center of a show that created a new framework for how magic was performed and perceived. Peter will also discuss the New York magic scene during the time in which he was cast in the show and he will demonstrate and teach close-up effects that were among those he would perform when promoting The Magic Show on television. The event will be held at The New York Theosophical Society in Manhattan (details below).
The Magic Show caused a major change in the world of magic. It opened in May 1974 at the Cort Theatre on Broadway and ran for 1,920 performances, closing on December 31, 1978. Doug Henning was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and director Grover Dale was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical.
This musical turned magic around, changing the way magicians dressed, the way magic incorporated musical accompaniment, and how it was presented in general. It opened the door for the TV magic special and tweaked the interest of the television and film industry in exploring the art of magic. A previous version of this presentation was given at The Magic Castle in Los Angeles for the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Broadway show.
The event is free for Parent Assembly, #1 members, $15 for non-members of the S. A. M., $10 for S.A.M. members who are not members of PA1.
It will be held at the New York Theosophical Society, 242 East 53rd Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues). Doors for The Magic Show the Musical and Me open at 7:45 p.m. after the conclusion of the Parent Assembly business meeting.
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This musical turned magic around, changing the way magicians dressed, the way magic incorporated musical accompaniment, and how it was presented in general. It opened the door for the TV magic special and tweaked the interest of the television and film industry in exploring the art of magic. A previous version of this presentation was given at The Magic Castle in Los Angeles for the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Broadway show.
The event is free for Parent Assembly, #1 members, $15 for non-members of the S. A. M., $10 for S.A.M. members who are not members of PA1.
It will be held at the New York Theosophical Society, 242 East 53rd Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues). Doors for The Magic Show the Musical and Me open at 7:45 p.m. after the conclusion of the Parent Assembly business meeting.
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