Interview: Magician Jeff McBride talks plans for 2016, Mat Franco SPECIAL
Jeff McBride chatted with Digital Journal about his plans for 2016 with his Magic & Mystery School, as well as his former student and prodigy, magician Mat Franco.
Their next big class at the Magic & Mystery School is “Mask, Mine and Magic,” which is coming up on Jan. 9 and 10. “This class is for magicians who want to add mime, movement and mask work to their performances. Masked performers, mimes and movement artists who want to add magic skills to their performances,” McBride said. “Anyone who is an enthusiast of magic, mime and mask work, who wants to explore and deepen their understanding of these magical art forms.” Read more….
Natural-born magic salesman still travels light..
The odds are in Mat Franco‘s favor for a long run as the Strip‘s next resident magician. DENISE TRUSCELLO/COURTESY PHOTO
By Mike Weatherford – Las Vegas Review-Journal
Ah, that smile.
Mat Franco could sell snow to Eskimos.
Musical instruments to a boys band in River City.
New Coke.
Shares in Enron. Or Bernie Madoff’s securities fund.
Selling magic tricks is a minor challenge then for last year’s “America’s Got Talent” winner. Even when, as the 27-year-old notes, his audience is “sitting there trying to ruin it for yourself” by trying to figure out how they’re done.
Maybe the next TV competition can put Franco up against Jimmy Fallon and Andy Samberg as guys who get you with a contagious smile before they even say one word. I wouldn’t bet against him, especially if they let him play the “Grandma card” as he does in the show, one more powerful than all The Flash-like speed shuffles.
Franco’s odds are also good for a long run as the Strip’s next resident magician at The Linq Hotel. A two-hour NBC special airing Thursday can’t hurt.
So, make room for still another magician. But it’s probably good to separate Franco’s short game from the long one. In the early going, his show is more modest than you might expect from a serious commitment by The Linq and producers Base Entertainment, and maybe a little too familiar for those who see other magic shows.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/shows/natural-born-magic-salesman-still-travels-light
10 questions with magician Mat Franco, ‘AGT’ winner and new Linq headliner..
Las Vegas – Mat Franco is the first and only magician to win NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” and now he’s following in the footsteps of ventriloquist and Season 2 “AGT” winner Terry Fator with his own Las Vegas Strip residency. On Wednesday night, Mat begins previews at the Linq Hotel Showroom ahead of his grand opening set for Aug. 21. Mat takes the stage with a fresh, fun and feel-good twist on magic that defies expectations. In a full-scale production built on brand-new, never-before-seen material, Mat promises to deliver his most spectacular performances yet — but will still keep his love of getting up close with the crowd, which is the heart of every show and what he demonstrated to “AGT” judges. Read more..