Sunday night was fun. It was Super Bowl Sunday so the crowds were small....good for us because we got to see all the acts and got to meet the performers and got to be more casual with the people we met (busier nights would have made all the more difficult). Not so good because the whole atmosphere and energy is different when you have large enthusiastic crowds.
Monday was a bit busier but the crowds were still small enough that we missed nothing and were able to spend more quality time with other performers and lay folks visiting.
We got to watch the 2008 Close-up magician of the year, Paul Green and later the actor-magician Jonathan Levit in the close up room. Both were great....Leveit was insane. Very funny show. In the Parlour of Prestidigitation we saw Geoff Williams but due to the small crowds and a change in schedule we missed Rob Watkins. Geoff was a hoot. He does a very funny show and his highlight is a routine with borrowed money, a beautiful girl from the audience, him dressed as a MN postal worker, a pack of cigarettes, and matches. All the makings of a very enjoyable show.
In the Big room....Palace of Mystery we saw Comedian-Juggler, David Deeble (liked him so much we got his DVD), Arthur Trace (impressive manipulation act) and Joseph Tran, dove magician and illusionist. Joseph is a second generation Vietnamese American...after his dove act which is done in silence he walks to the apron of the stage and speaks for the first time. In a broken English with a heavy accent he talks about coming to America and coming to the Castle to learn magic and English....then he breaks character and speaking in perfect English admits he was born right there in Southern Cal. He got big laughs. He had a large entourage of family and friends int he audience. In fact, his mother sat next me and was very animated throughout her son's performance. I got at least six hugs from her during his act.
I also got a chance to take in the music room or Irma's room. In here there resides a ghost that plays the piano...and it's not a player piano. You can ask "Irma" to play just about any song and she does. Through the keys you can even have a conversation with her where the keys (notes) make words, so to speak. For example, when I asked if she was there the notes rang out "yes, I am" and when I tipped her by putting a dollar or 2 in the ghost-bird bird cage not only did the invisible bird tweet for me but Irma said, "thank you" with the notes.
Only one downer the whole night was a rude host who seemed to be incapable of simply responding to people's inquiries without trying to be "witty" (which I witnessed twice to be down right rude. ) The rest of the staff were stellar and professional to an impressive degree. The Director, Mark, can be very proud of his staff (minus the one). The three different Hostess' or receptionists that we met of the 2 nights were fabulous people to have at the front. The bartenders were friendly and fun. The bus boys and restaurant manager and staff where very kind. And the other host(s) I met were top notch.
As I mentioned before, the Magic Castle is a private club. To be a member you have to show your seriousness about magic by auditioning. You don't have to be great...just serious about the art. On Monday night we met four young men who were all trying out for membership. Each were nervous but held their own in the bar (only board members get to be in the auditions). The board made them wait a bit and so in my wanderings of the castle I bumped into them many times and chit chatted or showed them a stunt or trick. As I waited to go into to see a show I noticed the guys were gone. But a few moments later they emerged from the auditions and with glee each exclaimed they had made it. Wohoo!
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