|
Working Magic
By Triveni Sheshadri
|
Summer holidays are a time to build sand castles, start a game of pickup basketball or open a lemonade stand at the street corner. For San Marcos resident Michael Johnson, it used to be a time to polish his magic skills.
“I did shows in my garage for kids in the neighborhood,” Johnson recalled. Johnson grew up in San Marcos.
His interest in magic was sparked when he saw a show at the local library by Chuck Martinez. He was drawn by the intriguing mix of science and performance art in the renowned magician’s act.
"It is based on science, knowledge of perception and manipulation of reality,” Johnson said. “And the best part is when you can inspire someone’s imagination.”
Intrigued, he began to teach himself tricks by reading books and magazines. Houdini was a role model, and a movie of the same name, starring Tony Curtis, was a great favorite.
For almost a decade, Johnson, 44 has steadily built his art and his business. He is a master of close-up magic and recently earned an award in that category from the local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. On a good day, he will appear at six gigs, ranging from upscale corporate events to children's birthday parties. “I have to work harder to impress the kids,” he said.
His days are a juggling act, balancing time between developing scripts and working on his act. Soon he will debut the Flim Flam Follies, in which he will take on the persona of a gambling hustler.
Johnson avoids using live animals in his act. However, he has an intriguing collection of props, including a dinosaur fang, a piece of a meteorite, stones, coins and a $1,000 bill.
His box of props is at his front door, ready to go at a moment’s notice whenever he gets a call. Johnson has chosen to perform locally and avoid the toll of travel on his family life. “Being a husband and a father comes first,” he said. (August 24, 2003 edition) |
© 2008 Michael E. Johnson
This page may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission
|
|
