Frequently Asked Questions
How did you do that?
Smoke and mirrors. And wires. And my sleeves. Oh, and a trap door. Trap doors are neat.
WHY did you do that?
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
What is your show like?
I perform “Comedy Magic”. It’s a form of live entertainment (geared for adults, and young-adults) which combines stage magic, stand-up comedy, and audience participation.
How edgy are your shows?
If my show were a movie, it would probably be rated “PG-13″. My show’s content has been compared to the TV shows “Family Guy” and “Two And a Half Men”, meaning it’s intended for adults, and it’s a bit naughty (in a good-natured way), but it’s NOT explicit. There is no graphic violence, there is no hate speech, and there are no topless dancers, but the shows ARE targeted at adults and may contain adult humor, language, themes, references, or situations which may not be appropriate for, understood by, or appreciated by, young children. Oh, and teenagers really dig the show, too.
Why do you perform for adults, and not little kids like most other magicians?
My show is geared for an adult audience because my personality and sense of humor happen to be best appreciated by adults. That’s just who I am.
So are you more like a magician, or a comedian?
I think of myself as a magician, but after a show recently a guy said I was “75% comedian and 25% magician.” So I could be wrong. Here’s the sad truth: Comedians don’t claim me because of the magic, and magicians don’t like me because of the comedy.
Are you any good?
Ehhh, I don’t like to toot my own horn. Take a look at my reviews to see what other people are saying. But, yeah… I guess they say I’m pretty good.
What do you have up your sleeves?
My arms. Stop touching me.
Can you pull a coin out of my ear?
You should probably go see a doctor about that. It might be infected.
Do you use any audience participation in your shows?
Definitely. People love to see their friends or coworkers brought onstage to become part of the show. And it’s all in good fun, so don’t hesitate to grab a seat up front and center.
Can you make somebody disappear for me?
Yes… Do you need it to look like an accident?
What’s the difference between you and other magicians?
The biggest difference is I am less interested in “fooling” people and more focused on creating laughter and having fun with the group. Another difference is, instead of being one of those “jack of all trades, master of none” performers who tries to be all things to all people, I specialize and do only ONE type of show (my comedy-magic stage show for adults). So those are the major differences. Oh, and I don’t have a rabbit.
Why don’t you have a rabbit?
I don’t know… I just… don’t… Well, I DO have a “rabbit in a hat” tattoo, if that counts.
Show me the rabbit tattoo!
That wasn’t in the form of a question.
Fine… May I see the rabbit tattoo?
No.
Why don’t you use big sparkly props like other magicians?
I’m too lazy to carry that stuff around.
For what size of crowds do you usually perform?
Depending on the particular event I’m working for, my audiences range anywhere from 30 to 300 people, and most crowds are between 50 and 150 people.
For what type of events do you usually perform?
Some of the events, parties, and venues at which I can entertain include… Awards Nights, Banquet Events, Bars, Beer Gardens, Casinos, Christmas Parties, Class Reunions, Club Events, Coffee Shops, Colleges and Universities, Comedy Clubs, Comedy Nights, Company Parties, Conventions, Corporate Events, Country Clubs and Golf Courses, Customer Appreciation Events, Employee Appreciation Parties, Fairs and Festivals, Fraternity and Sorority Functions, Fund-Raiser Events, Graduation Parties, Halloween Parties, Holiday Parties, Hotel Events, House Parties, Lounges, New Year’s Eve Parties, Nightclubs, Office Parties, Post-Prom and After-Prom Parties, Private Parties, Public Events, Resorts, Taverns, Theaters, etc., etc., etc….
Why are you called “the maniac of magic”?
I started using the handle “Maniac of Magic” when somebody pointed out the parallels between my onstage behavior and symptoms of mania, which include excitement, hyperactivity, elevation of mood, talkativeness, and impulsiveness. Also, it sounds cool.
Can you read minds?
Only my own. But I only get it right about half the time. So… no.
What is the duration of your performance?
The exact duration depends on the particular event for which I’ve been hired to perform, but most of my performances are 45-60 minutes (which is pretty much the industry standard for my type of show). If a longer performance is desired, I can subcontract a stand-up comic to open for me (these opening acts are generally 20-30 minutes), making the show a full 80-90 minutes.
Who influenced your performing style?
I have a dysfunctional family and twisted friends. I enjoy hearing dirty jokes, watching horror films, and listening to Tom Waits… But as far as magicians and comedians go, my favorite performers to watch include… Marc Maron, Lewis Black, Lance Burton, Jeff Dunham, Fielding West, George Carlin, Harry Anderson, Terry Seabrooke, Carl Ballantine, Ron White, Harry Houdini, David Williamson, Jeff McBride, Jeff Hobson, Dariel Fitzkee, Amazing Johnathan, Bob Zany, Michael Finney, Steve Martin, Christopher Titus, Mac King, Bill Hicks, Steve Spill, David Copperfield, Tom Mullica, Penn & Teller, Ron Shock, and Dana Daniels, among many others.
Where are you from, and how far do you travel?
I’m based out of Des Moines, Iowa, USA, and generally get hired to perform throughout the upper Midwest (Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, etc.)… But I’m willing to travel further, so don’t hesitate to say hello if you’d like me to perform in Las Vegas. Especially during the winter months. It gets kinda cold in Iowa.
Where did you grow up?
Trick question. I haven’t.
I’m thinking of hiring you for our party. How much will it cost?
ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Okay. Not really. My entertainment services are actually very reasonable. Your total investment will depend on several variables: location, hotel arrangements, day of the week, etc. For more details, contact me. I’ll answer your questions, see if the date you want is still available, and prepare a no-obligation custom price quote for you.
Magic is real, right?
Ummm… I don’t think we can be friends anymore.
