SCERA Welcomes Magician Timothy Riggs Tonight

It's the season for tricks and treats, and the SCERA Center for the Arts will have both when Utah's own professional comedy magician Timothy Riggs is back for his popular annual show tonight, October 30 at 7:00 p.m.

Reserved seat tickets are $5 (ages 3 and older) and are available from 10am-6pm weekdays and Saturdays from 12Noon-6pm at SCERA, 745 S. State St., Orem, by calling (801) 225-ARTS, online at www.scera.org or at the door 30 minutes prior to the show. A free Halloween goody bag is included with each paid child's admission.

Riggs, who uses a generous amount of comedy in his routines, learned his first magic trick at age eight and was hooked. At age 13, he watched magician Paul Brewer in performance in Salt Lake City and saw the show so many times, Brewer noticed him. Riggs became his apprentice for seven years and in exchange for many, many hours of work in his show, he learned magic. He performed in amusement parks, fairs, stadiums, parties, night clubs and magic conventions. He often performed shows in high school and created a full-length stage show while attending Snow College. Even as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Riggs performed magic shows for community service. Among his service has been entertaining as a magician at the University of Utah's children's hospital. He created a magic instructional video, "You are the Magic, designed to inspire self-esteem in children by teaching them magic tricks. It has been placed in dozens of children's hospitals in the United States and Canada. In 1998, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering from The University of Utah.

During the past 19 years, he has appeared on ABC, NBC and FOX television networks and performed in more than 3,000 stage shows. He was the magician for the Utah Fun Dome for five years, was a magician at Lagoon and is in his eighth year performing at Hollywood Connections in West Valley.

Timothy has many larger illusions, but he does them with a well-rehearsed funny bone. For instance, when he performs Houdini's famous escape trunk, he does it with a western theme and ends up dressed like a cow. Or when he cuts a lady in pieces, he dresses up like a mad scientist.

Timothy is also an accomplished juggler, and throws into the air a strange array of objects including bowling balls, fire torches and sharp objects. He is also well known for involving the audience, and will even levitate a brave volunteer.

"Timothy has a light-hearted touch and comic manner that is really appealing," says Adam J. Robertson, SCERA President & CEO. "His is a magic show that is unique and appropriate for family audiences. He's a perfect act at a perfect time of year."

Sharing the spotlight is Mandy Vanorden, Rigg's assistant, who has performed with him for eleven years and is a real cut up as she regularly undergoes being sawed in half.

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