740: P.T. Murphy - Big Fish in a Small Pond

This episode hopes to inspire you to dream it, make your dream a reality, then follow your dream. Patrick P.T. Murphy was doing well in Chicago and performed regularly with David Parr in the Chicago Magic Cabaret. But ten years ago the stars aligned which took him three hours away to a tourist destination to Northeastern Illinois where he began performing in a small theater with his own one-man show. Sometimes it’s best to “buck the norm” and become a big fish in a small pond.

If you are more of a visual person, then you will enjoy this video of our conversation recorded via Zoom.

This is the original 1947 black and white version of “Nightmare Alley” which differs a bit from the 2021 and well worth your attention to view.

P.T. shares some personal stories about his magical life and his brushes with magic celebrities like Bill Malone, Tony Andruzzi, Paul Harris, David Roth, Ricky Jay, Eugene Burger and others. Plus he talks about the magic dealer scene in Chicago. We also talk about making a dramatic change in his life by picking up and moving his family and belongings three hours northeast of Chicago where he has become recognized by Trip Advisor as the top attraction in the small pond of Galena, Illinois.

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Nightmare Alley was discussed in this week's episode. To order your copy of the book and also help The Magic Word Podcast with your purchase, please follow this link.

733: Jeanette Andrews - For Art's Sake

How does one explain art? Art means something to each beholder. Art is an experience unique to each of us. What some like, others may not like, or just be lukewarm to the concept. Such is the experience of our audiences. Some like what we do while others may not. In some cases they may not even understand what we are trying to communicate. But for the most part, most magicians don’t have a message or concept they are trying to get across to their audiences. Moreover, most of us just try to “entertain” with our magic without thinking of what deeper messages we could be exploring or displaying.

Our guest this week, Jeanette Andrews, is what I would call a true “artist” in the sense that she thinks deeply about the aesthetics of her props and the message she wants them to convey. More than just the visual of the staging, she also gives attention and importance to the accompanying music selections. She has also tapped into a heretofore rather unexplored target market of art patrons of museums and galleries.

In her early years in Chicago, Jeanette was heavily influenced by her mentor, Eugene Burger. She tells about some of the great advice he taught her and how it influenced her act and career and even her lifestyle. She also discusses her act and how she incorporates art into her act. Her act is more like looking at art in galleries as she creates striking poses and slowly displays each piece she touches and incorporates into her show.

This book is the one recommended by both Eugene Burger and Jeanette Andrews for all travelers.

If you are interested in the history of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, Illinois, then you might enjoy this fascinating look at history of the Exposition and the first serial killer in the U.S. (H.H. Holmes) who clouded the event.

724: Larry Hass, Ph.D. - Great Answers

Dr. Larry Hass is the Dean of Jeff McBride’s “Magic and Mystery School” in Las Vegas. Successor to the late Eugene Burger, Dr. Hass carries on the tradition and instruction in his own style, but with definite and apparent influence by Eugene. In fact, Larry was in secret collaboration with Eugene on his last two books that were not to be released until after his death. Those two books are now available and stand as testaments to the brilliant mind of Eugene Burger.

In this episode, Dr. Hass talks about his journey to be on the faculty, then Associate Dean to finally becoming the Dean of the School. He gives a short lesson covering some of the tenants taught in the School. In case you wondered about how the Magic & Mystery School works, then this conversation will fill you in on how and what they do. We also talk about the importance of contracts, lighting, and more plus Larry reminisces about his old friend, Eugene Burger.