PERFORMER FACTS & FICTION

NICK LEWIN (Hollywood) Born in England, Nick relocated to California in the mid-seventies to be closer to the world famous Magic Castle. He quickly became a showroom favorite and has shared the stage with performers such as Tony Bennett, Reba McIntire, Kenny Rogers, Paul Anka and Topo Gigio. An accomplished magician and comedian, Nick has made his mark in nearly every area of the entertainment world. He has performed for British Royalty and American presidents. From nightclubs to Performing Arts Centers, he has transformed every stage into his living room.* Nick has appeared on over fifty national television shows including major acting roles on classic series such as ‘Dynasty’, ‘Amazing Stories’, ‘Trapper John’, ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’ and the Weather Channel. Nick’s award winning Las Vegas show ‘Comedy Magic’ ran for five years. We’re excited to have Nick on our ‘Big Headliner Stage Show’. Nick will also present a late night full Cabaret Show including a tribute to ‘Battle of Magicians’ favorite, Billy McComb.

FIELDING WEST (Las Vegas) “Comedy and magic at their best” When Fielding walks on stage you will probably ask yourself, “Where have I seen that guy?” The answer is..... EVERYWHERE! Fielding West has been seen everywhere from the stages of Vegas to network television specials, to U.S. Post Office bulletin boards. This award winning comedy magician is also an actor, game show host, television personality; motion picture technical director; writer; amateur gynecologist; and ....well, you get the idea. Muhammad Ali says, “Fielding is one crazy magician”. “He’s the funniest magician I know,” says Brook Shields, “I’d love to take Fielding hunting,” said Dick Cheney and the list goes on and on. We are delighted to have Fielding as our M.C. on the ‘Big Headliner Stage Show’ at the Palace Theatre.

DEVLIN ‘THE MATADOR OF MAGIC’ (Brazil) Back by popular demand, and just back from his South American tour through Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina and Chile (with beans and crackers), we are pleased to have this highly energetic entertainer present his illusions on our ‘Big Headliner Show’. Born in Brazil, Devlin reaches down into his roots to present magic with a Latin flair. This Antonio Banderas of magic weaves mysteries with the air and confidence of a matador.** Devlin has appeared and disappeared on stages from the famed Hollywood’s Magic Castle to Bally’s Grand Hotel in Atlantic City. Devlin promises to present a stage full of mind-boggling illusions for this year’s ‘Battle of Magicians’.

GEORGE SATERIAL (Boston, famous for Beans found in Chile) By merging a truly original concept with classic style, an obsession with perfection, charisma, and tireless practice, George Saterial has accomplished a feat, achieved by no other. George has become the only magician to win the coveted ‘Gold Medal of Excellence’ from both the ‘International Brotherhood of Magicians’ and the ‘Society of American Magicians’. His award winning routine is entitled ‘Timeless Magic’ as time literally seems to stand still when this classically inspired act is set in motion. With a grandfather clock as the centerpiece, magic happens all around it. From the stages of Broadway in New York to New Zealand’s renowned Regent Theater, George has traveled five continents performing ‘Timeless Magic’. Now time will stand still in Canton, on the Palace Theatre stage at the ‘Big Headliner Show’.

DARYL (California) Daryl, otherwise known as ‘Fooler Dooler’ and as ‘The Magician’s Magician’, has piled up so many awards it is impossible to list them all. In addition to winning the gold medal at ‘FISM - the World Congress of Magic’, Daryl has also been awarded more Academy Awards from the Magic Castle than anyone else: ‘Close-Up Magician of the Year’ two times; ‘Parlour Magician of the Year’ two times; and ‘Lecturer of the Year’ two times. For 7 years Daryl performed as the headliner act at Caesars Magical Empire, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. We have brought Daryl back to the ‘Battle’ by popular demand. Daryl will be performing his award winning close-up act and his latest lecture.

NELS ROSS (Buffalo) “An oddball with a mission.” That’s how Nels Ross describes himself. His diverse background includes studying theater at the University of Buffalo; touring with a non-profit circus; training with instructors from Broadway and Cirque du Soleil; writing for Juggle magazine and performing for countless organizations and events. Nels applies that early training to create a “gravity defying” show which has kept him busy for two decades. In fact Nels says he has stayed busy enough to feed his kids at least once a week. His contagious sense of humor and playfulness will infect everyone in the audience at the Palace Theatre. “Too many people suffer from terminal seriousness”, says Nels. He’ll certainly cure that ailment.

MARK LEVERIDGE (England). As a full time professional magician, Mark has kept busy performing and lecturing in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland, Pango Pango, Germany, Holland, Australia and Singapore. In addition, Mark has visited the United States many times, appearing at the IBM, SAM, 4F’s and Abbott’s conventions. Mark has lectured in almost every major city in the United States and even on board the Queen Mary in Longbeach. (Not to be confused with the Queen Little in Hatsboro). In the magic world, Mark is well known as an author, inventor and lecturer on close-up, children’s and mental magic. He has written several books, but his two biggest works are ‘The Complete Magic Party’ and ‘The Strolling Magician’. You’ll have two opportunities to see Mark work at this year’s ‘Battle of Magicians’. Mark will be performing on the ‘Grand Close-up Show’ and also presenting his newest lecture entitled, “My Newest Lecture”.***

CHRISTOPHER PAYNE (UK. Not the University of Kentucky) Although Christopher Payne is famous for his ‘Nudist Deck’ routine, we have asked him to keep his clothes on while in Canton... (Simon Lovell is the only magician permitted to run around naked in Canton). His magic has won him awards including the ‘Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year’ and the British Ring ‘Close-Up Competition’. Christopher financed his medical education by performing magic with appearances in and around the Southwest of the U.K. Then he was able to finance his magical education by performing emergency appendectomies on squirrels. He has traveled all over the U.S. and Canada lecturing on his prizewinning act ‘Passing the Buck Re-Visited’ and has found time to appear at the ‘4F Convention’ in upstate New York and the ‘62nd S.A.M.Convention’. Now we have him in Canton. You will get two chances to see this outstanding performer, on the ‘Grand Close-up Show’ of course and also on the ‘Friday Night All Star Extravaganza’.

NATHAN KRANZO (Michigan) Who is Nathan Kranzo? Nathan is a comedian; magician; mind reader; professional dog walker and the son of Mr. & Mrs. Kranzo. Nathan is a full time entertainer who for the last sixteen years has helped hundreds of private organizations and companies including General Motors, Sam’s Club, and Ameritech make their events a smashing success. He has acquired a reputation for creating unique and original magic and has performed and lectured all over the United States, Europe and Asia. He has been a featured performer several times at the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood.**** Recently Nathan was a consultant for Penn and Teller’s NBC special. You will get to enjoy Nathan on the ‘Friday Night All Star Extravaganza Show’ as well as the ‘Big Close Up Show’ and his fantastic lecture.

MARTY HAHNE (Branson Mo) Marty has been performing magic full time for 17 years in Florida and the last 9 years in the Springfield, Missouri area.***** Named as one of the top children’s entertainers in the country, Marty shares his knowledge and expertise each month through his column in the ‘Linking Ring Magazine’. Marty just recently returned from New Zealand where he performed and lectured at their ‘International Magic Conference’. He is also the personal bodyguard for David Ginn. Marty is not only going to M.C. the ‘Friday Night All Star Extravaganza Show’, he is also going to present his highly acclaimed Kid Show lecture. You’re gonna love Marty Hahne. Not only is he a great performer, he’s also one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.

PRINCESS GABORA - THE GORILLA GIRL (Nairobi) Gabora will be appearing here for the first time at any convention! This beautiful girl was captured on an expedition near Nairobi by DR. EVIL and Professor Deremer. She is believed to be the daughter of an American scientist or missionary. This young lady was subjected to terribly cruel punishment. She has the strange and unusual ability, when placed into a post-hypnotic trance, to transform her body into a terrifying and ferocious 450-pound gorilla. You’ll actually see this transformation right before your eyes in a spectacle you will never forget.

* Boy he must have a big house!
** And that’s no bull!
*** Not to be confused with “My Sorta-Newsest Lecture”.
**** Hollywood: A place where homeless people live.
***** Boy, he must be tired!