IT'S MAGIC! America's Greatest Magicians Join. Forces At The McCallum To Boggle The Mind

The McCallum Theatre presents the all new annual edition of "It's Magic!" on Sunday, February 17, at 3:00pm. For this year's "It's Magic!", producers Milt Larsen and Terry Hill have gathered stars of magic who are international magic award winners, headliners in Las Vegas, and who have performed on television and internationally.

With Alexander Great's illusions, even if you see it, you don't believe it! Alexander's first award was first place for stage magic at The Pacific Coast Association of Magicians at only 16, winning first place again the next year. He toured Australia and New Zealand as an illusion tech for illusionist Chuck Jones, learning the secrets of illusionary magic. When he returned to the States, The International Magic Awards featured his act and presented him with a trophy for Best Junior Magician. Performing in Japanese, Alexander took his illusions throughout Japan. Alexander performs around the world at corporate events, in casino showrooms, and on cruise ships. Alexander is making magic cool and hip for the 21stCentury.

Every time Les Arnold steps on stage for a performance, he brings with him the legacy of an American theatrical tradition that dates back two generations. Les is the gifted grandson and professional heir of The Great Leon, who won international acclaim for his spectacular illusions and magical artistry during the Golden Age of Vaudeville. Les Arnold is doing a great deal more than merely following in his grandfather's footsteps. His specialty is presenting illusions in the grand style with new and modern twists. There is always plenty of hilarious audience participation and mind-boggling illusions.

Whit "Pop" Haydn was Stage Magician of the Year in 2015 at Hollywood's Magic Castle and has won seven Performer of the Year awards from the Magic Castle. He has opened for Jerry Seinfeld, the Smothers Brothers, and others, and performed on cruise ships, and in hotels and casinos. He was the chief magic consultant on the film Bogus starring Whoopi Goldberg and Gerard Depardieu, and worked as a consultant on multiple television documentaries including Discovery's "Houdini, People Came to See Him Die." Pop, with his business partner Chef Anton, started a company called School for Scoundrels which teaches a course every year at the Magic Castle on street scams like the Shell Game, Three Card Monte, and others.

Tina Lenert combines silent comedy with a touch of magic to produce an act in which a sad cleaning lady is magically transformed and finds happiness. Her pantomime skills were honed as a founding member of the L.A. Mime Company, and her magic skills as a regular performer and life member of Hollywood's Magic Castle, where she was voted Stage Magician of the Year. Tina has appeared in European theatres, including Berlin's Wintergarten, the London Palladium, and for the Royal Family in Monte Carlo, and has performed on European, South American and Asian television. In the U.S., she has appeared in Reno, Atlantic City and Las Vegas, and on the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and network television specials.

Dan Raspyni has been called a juggling genius because of his entertaining twist on the 2,000 year old art of juggling. His clever one-of-a-kind stunts have earned him two Guinness Book world records and appearances on "The Tonight Show." During his 30 year career, Dan has toured with comedy legends Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Howie Mandel, performed for the President of the United States, and even entertained the sequestered O.J. Simpson jury. In 2009, Dan was presented with the International Juggling Association's Award of Excellence in recognition of his outstanding work as a professional juggler. Dan's show is a funny, fast paced blend of comedy and coordination, perfectly balanced with humorous dialogue and incredible feats of skill

David Zirbel started performing magic at the age of nine. By thirteen, he was one of the youngest members of the Academy of Magical Arts Junior Society at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, and the youngest magician invited to join the International Guild of Prestidigitators. By twenty, David had developed, directed and choreographed full shows. David received Magician of the Year by the Magical Arts Guild in California twice, Best General Magic Award from the Society of American Magicians, and the Manipulators Cup from the International Guild of Prestidigitators. David toured Japan nearly 30 times, and has performed in China, Germany, Australia, Thailand, Canada, and Malaysia. David's performances combine comedy, theater, dance, mystery, and illusion into one stunning performance.

Milt Larsen (Producer) and his late brother Bill fulfilled a life-long dream of their father's when they opened a club for magicians in 1963 - the Magic Castle, the most famous and successful magic enterprise in the world, with a current roster of approximately 5,000 members internationally. Milt was the magic consultant for the multi-million dollar Caesars Magical Empire project at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. He has produced and written numerous stage shows and musicals (collaborating several times with the redoubtable Sherman Brothers). His more recent television credits are as Co-Executive Producer/Writer of the "Magicians Favorite Magicians" Special for CBS, and consultant for "Now You See It -The History of Magic" for The Learning Channel.

Terry Hill (Producer) has continued to stage and produce major shows and special events throughout the country, starring some of the biggest names in show business. He has worked with such legendary performers as Bob Hope, Fred Astaire, Dinah Shore, Sammy Davis Jr., Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney and Neil Patrick Harris. Terry produced the first HDTV special for CBS, the Miss Universe and Miss California television specials, and acted as special consultant to such television shows as "Bonanza," the Jackson Five specials, and "The Jackie Gleason Show." He also staged the NFL Super Bowl party and the CBS affiliates annual conventions. Terry was invited by the respective families to produce the memorial tribute shows for Bob Hope, Steve Allen and Buddy Ebsen.

Tickets for this performance are priced at $48, $38, $28 and $18. Tickets are available at the Theatre's website at www.mccallumtheatre.com or by calling the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 340-2787.

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