HOUDINI Enlists Help of Illusion Designer Michael Weber

Stage and screen illusion designer Michael Weber is currently working with composer Stephen Schwartz on the upcoming Broadway musical Houdini, starring Hugh Jackman.

Sought equally for his specialized problem-solving skills and his story-telling abilities, Weber has engineered illusions for both stage and screen. His work can be seen in "The Serpent and the Rainbow" (1988), "Forrest Gump" (1994), "Congo" (1995), "The Fountain" (2006), and "The Illusionist" (2006) among many others.

Weber and his co-conspirator Ricky Jay founded the consulting company Deceptive Practices which provides "Arcane Knowledge on a Need-To-Know Basis" to film, theater and television.

In Houdini, Hugh Jackman will return to Broadway starring as America's greatest showman. One of the world's most fascinating figures takes center stage in Houdini, an original and contemporary look at the life--and death--of America's first superstar.

Directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien,Houdini is presented by film and theatre producer Scott Sanders and David Rockwell. Mr. Rockwell will also design the sets for Houdini. Additional Houdini casting, creative team and design team to be announced at a later date.

BWW recently reported that Jackman revealed that a third workshop for Houdini will be held and hopes to bring the musical to Broadway "within a year or 18 months".

Source: Oscars.org