Magic and Special Effects

I was recently called upon to design and provide special effects for my alma mater, Lancaster Catholic High School (LCHS) and their production of “The Wizard of Oz.” We provided everything from the fireballs that the Wicked Witch throws at the Scarecrow to the wizard’s balloon floating off from the Emerald City even though the school’s stage does not have a fly space or fly system.

The Wicked Witch throws a fire ball at the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz.

We can’t reveal the magic secrets to you, but one of the effects that I proposed was a “magical looking” way for Glinda, the Good Witch, to move about the stage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time this technology has been used not only onstage at this school but also in the history of the production anywhere. Since this was magical for the audience but not really a magic illusion effect I will let you in on the secret.

We accomplished this effect with the help of our friends at Segway of Hershey. Marc Brandt, the owner of Segway of Hershey made a special, custom designed, knee steering device for a Segway in place of the standard hand bar grip controller that is on a standard Segway. I have used this device many times working as the Segway Magician rolling around performing in place of our regular strolling/walk around magic. I proposed the idea to the show director - Scott Drackley, the director of the school’s Fine Arts Department - Tony Brill and Marc from Segway and they were immediately sold on the idea. The next challenge was teaching the student who would play Glinda, to ride the knee steer Segway and find a way to disguise or hide it beneath her costume. Riding on the device would raise the actress up about 5 inches and we had to make sure her costume would not get caught in the wheels. I designed and built special wheel covers for the machine and attached fabric that would blend with her dress. The costumer also added several inches to Glinda’s dress. The actress playing the part of Glinda was Caroline Zody who turned out to be a natural on the Segway, which made our job much easier. This was just one of the many effects that we provided for the production and performed or operated by the students, all of whom did an amazing job. It was fun going back to my alma mater and working on that stage again. To see pictures from this production please visit our facebook page. (Link below.)

I also recently had the pleasure of interviewing our dear friend Adele Friel Rhindress – Blackstone’s Elusive Moth, an onstage assistant to the legendary Master Magician Harry Blackstone Sr. from 1947 – 1950. Adele is the only person ever to play the part of Blackstone's Elusive Moth in an illusion he created to feature her and her skill as a dancer. The interview/lecture also featured rare color video footage of the show from 1948 as well as many photos from Adele's personal collection. We are pictured here with one of Blackstone's original tour cases that we purchased several years ago from the Blackstone Estate. Adele has a great love for magic and it is always fun to hear her many stories of life on the road with Blackstone and her more recent involvement with magic groups around the world. Look for her book, "MEMOIRS of an ELUSIVE MOTH - Disappearing Nightly - with - HARRY BLACKSTONE & HIS SHOW OF 1001 WONDERS" available at better magic shops or online at www.squashpublications.com

We also recently returned to perform once again for Mini-Thon at LCHS to raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund providing support for patients and families facing the battle against pediatric cancer. This is a great fundraising event for a very worthwhile cause. This year the school raised $25,688.50

Are you looking for a fun fundraising event or an entertaining night of magic and comedy? If so, give us a call. As veterans of the entertainment business, we know what it takes to make your event an entertaining success. As entertainment specialists, our main focus is entertaining audiences with our live show. With our vast arsenal of magic, effects, comedy routines, and stage illusions to choose from, we have the flexibility and experience to provide a show that will amaze and mystify your audience, leaving them holding their sides and laughing one minute and then sitting slack jawed and scratching their heads the next.  Give us a call today at 717-293-5115 for more information and find out how to make your event an Entertaining Success.

Until next time…

Remember, - It’s All About Believing.

- Mike Snyder 

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