• The Magic Word
  • Become a Friend of The Magic Word
  • Subscribe to The Magic Word
  • At The Table Lectures
  • Scott Wells Lecture Items
  • The Magic Word Podcast T-Shirt
  • Amazon.com Store to Support The Magic Word
  • The Magic Word Merchandise
  • Magic Convention Guide
  • Magic Theaters
  • Archives
  • About
  • Contact

The Magic Word The Magic Word

  • The Magic Word
  • Become a Friend of The Magic Word
  • Subscribe to The Magic Word
  • At The Table Lectures
  • Scott Wells Lecture Items
  • The Magic Word Podcast T-Shirt
  • Amazon.com Store to Support The Magic Word
  • The Magic Word Merchandise
  • Magic Convention Guide
  • Magic Theaters
  • Archives
  • About
  • Contact

878: Ed Ellis - Magician/Musician

Ed Ellis is not a name that is on the tip of the tongues of most magicians. I wouldn’t call him an “underground” magician because I think of “those guys” as being the ones who magicians go to when they want to learn some secret move. But Ed has quietly been making a living for many decades having worked at many prestigious resorts and country clubs and of late, has been returning to the magic convention scene. So, if you have not seen him or are not familiar with his work, you can watch his video lecture on Penguin or catch him at one of many convention appearances he plans to make this year.

View fullsize Ellis card fan.jpg
View fullsize Penguin.jpg
View fullsize IMG_4519.jpg
View fullsize IMG_4520.jpg
View fullsize IMG_4521.jpg

Ed talks about his journey through life as he maneuvered jobs on film, nightclubs, and resorts. He gives some valuable advice on calling on past customers and maintaining personal friendships to ensure future opportunities.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Tagged with Ed Ellis, Hilton Head, Bruce Cervon, The Magic Castle, Buddy Rich, musician, Howard Hamburg, Caesar's Magic Kingdom, Michael Ammar, AGT, Gene Krupa.

January 9, 2025 by Scott Wells.
  • January 9, 2025
  • Scott Wells
  • Ed Ellis
  • Hilton Head
  • Bruce Cervon
  • The Magic Castle
  • Buddy Rich
  • musician
  • Howard Hamburg
  • Caesar's Magic Kingdom
  • Michael Ammar
  • AGT
  • Gene Krupa
  • Post a comment
Comment

676: Ed Alonzo - In The Library

While I was in Los Angeles to work on “Masters of Illusion” TV series, Ed Alonzo found time to sit in the library of the Magic Castle to chat about his career. As a former member of the Long Beach Mystics and the Magic Castle Junior group, Ed launched successful careers as both a magician and an actor having major roles in many television series including “Saved By The Bell.” He also went on to work with Britney Spears on her worldwide concert tour where he interacted with her on stage in his character as a magician.

View fullsize In the llbrary of The Magic Castle
View fullsize spiral background 2.jpeg
View fullsize Ed with Neil Patrick Harris
View fullsize masters.jpg
View fullsize Cast of Season One of "Saved By THe Bell" TV Series
View fullsize Max on "Saved By The Bell" TV Series
View fullsize Ed Alonzo Helping David Copperfield with the vanish of the Statue of Liberty
View fullsize Circus.jpg
View fullsize Ed with Britney Spears
View fullsize Director on the Board of Directors of The Academy of Magical Arts

In this week’s episode, Ed covers a lot of territory in a short hour podcast. He talks extensively about the Magic Castle and his love and dedication to the clubhouse. He also talks about his time as a youth as he was trying to “find his character” when he was a member of the Long Beach Mystics and the Magic Castle Juniors. He tells how he transitioned into acting but never lost his love for performing magic, which he still does to this day having just completed the taping of Season Nine of “Masters of Illusion.” By the way, he talked about running for office on the Academy of Magical Arts: he won the election and is now on the Board of Directors. Congratulations, Ed.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Towards the end of the episode, Ed talks about being on “The American Life” podcast with Ira Glass and David Kestenbaum as they talked about “The Lady Vanishes” or, David Copperfield’s vanish of the Statue of Liberty. Ed was part of the team that worked with David on this illusion and this episode goes into detail about the effect. The podcast website for this episode is HERE. “The Lady Vanishes” is the second part of this episode entitled “The Magic Show” and Ed Alonzo’s part comes very near the end at around time stamp 00:53:00.

Tagged with Ed Alonzo, The Magic Castle, Doug Henning, Owens Magic Supreme, Dirk Arthur, Long Beach Mystics, Kevin James, comedy magic, Siegfried and Roy, Saved By The Bell, Britney Spears, Statue of Liberty, David Copperfield, Neil Patrick Harris.

April 21, 2022 by Scott Wells.
  • April 21, 2022
  • Scott Wells
  • Ed Alonzo
  • The Magic Castle
  • Doug Henning
  • Owens Magic Supreme
  • Dirk Arthur
  • Long Beach Mystics
  • Kevin James
  • comedy magic
  • Siegfried and Roy
  • Saved By The Bell
  • Britney Spears
  • Statue of Liberty
  • David Copperfield
  • Neil Patrick Harris
  • Post a comment
Comment
531 banner.jpg

531: Mark Connelly Wilson - Developing a Character

531 banner.jpg

Mark C. Wilson is an actor, musician, filmmaker, producer, teacher and magician but perhaps best known in Texas as “Merlin the Wise” at the Sherwood Forest Faire near Austin. In this week’s episode, Mark talks about something that only has been discussed by a handful of previous guests: developing his character. Merlin is an iconic character so how does one pull it off? Mark has an acting background and has spent much time on developing this persona. You may not plan to every perform at a Renaissance Festival, but you will do well to take to heart the lessons he learned and teaches here. For more information, please visit his Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/MerlinTheWise/

Magician, actor, and musician Mark Connelly Wilson performs as "Merlin The Wise" with "Nimue" played by Lydia Kettle, and "Newt" played by his daughter Elissa Wilson, during the 2010 opening season of Sherwood Forest Faire on the Greenwood stage.

This was the movie discussed at the end of our podcast. The music and singing in this trailer was provided by Mark C. Wilson.

View fullsize 77028388_584455022096651_6526086043291090944_n.png
View fullsize 75299814_2430401467058453_1105502759261569024_n.png
View fullsize 72376675_536241313882174_5271911187192217600_n.png
View fullsize 75424592_2451009501881335_4482930097258496000_n.png
View fullsize 76775150_914740092246077_1153919581991993344_n.png
View fullsize IMG_6003.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6008.JPG
View fullsize IMG_6011.JPG
View fullsize MOTW-Torn-Poster.jpg
View fullsize card fan.jpg
View fullsize 73234816_1762209680579289_6588619732033732608_n.png
View fullsize 77308866_2482324205312954_4357232497747034112_n.png

For a more in-depth article about developing a character, then read the article by Kent Cummins in the June 2019 issue of The Linking Ring entitled, “Storytelling is the Secret Sauce.” Click Here to see a PDF of that article.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Tagged with Renaissance Festival, musician, Sherwood Forest Faire, Merlin the Wizard, Saul Ravencraft, Austin Texas, character development, Chris Walden, Bill Palmer, Museum of the Weird, Mark Connelly Wilson.

November 21, 2019 by Scott Wells.
  • November 21, 2019
  • Scott Wells
  • Renaissance Festival
  • musician
  • Sherwood Forest Faire
  • Merlin the Wizard
  • Saul Ravencraft
  • Austin Texas
  • character development
  • Chris Walden
  • Bill Palmer
  • Museum of the Weird
  • Mark Connelly Wilson
  • Post a comment
Comment

The Magic Word The Magic Word

A Podcast for Magicians, About Magicians, Hosted by a Full Time Professional Magician, Scott Wells

This podcast is totally free for everyone to enjoy. This is provided to you out of love and respect for our art of magic. If you enjoy the podcasts and other material on The Magic Word, then your financial support will be greatly appreciated and help offset the monthly hosting service fee as well as the hardware and software to produce this podcast. Just click on the "Donate " button at the top of this page to make a one time donation through PayPal.

You can become a sustaining member by pledging a monthly donation of any amount through "Patreon" and receive some pretty cool perks for membershiip, too. Just Click Here for more information on how you can help.

By donating to The Magic Word, you will become a "Friend of The Magic Word" and receive a certificate (suitable for framing) indicating your membership plus your name will join your other friends and be posted on our "Wall of Fame". If you prefer to order something from the Store, then that will help support The Magic Word, too. Thank you.

  • The Magic Word
  • Become a Friend of The Magic Word
  • Subscribe to The Magic Word
  • At The Table Lectures
  • Scott Wells Lecture Items
  • The Magic Word Podcast T-Shirt
  • Amazon.com Store to Support The Magic Word
  • The Magic Word Merchandise
  • Magic Convention Guide
  • Magic Theaters
  • Archives
  • About
  • Contact

Thanks to all of you listeners, The Magic Word Podcast and our newsletter (or “podletter” as I call it) has been recognized by FISM and received nominations in two categories. Please click on one of the graphics above and cast your vote to help push us on to victory in Turin, Italy, this summer! Thank you!

In May 2024, Scott Wells had the distinguished honor of receiving a “Special Fellowship” from the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle) for the Magic Word Podcast which promotes “not only personal stories of fascinating individuals, but also fellowship amongst our extended family of artists and entertainers everywhere.”

Do you have a comment or suggestion for The Magic Word Podcast? Click on the SpeakPipe logo and leave a short audio message for Scott. It’s fast, easy and fun. Send a “shout out” today and who knows? Your message may be heard on an upcoming podcast!

Gallery Block
This is an example. To display your Instagram posts, double-click here to add an account or select an existing connected account. Learn more
Cursus Amet
Pellentesque Risus Ridiculus
Porta
Etiam Ultricies
Vulputate Commodo Ligula
Elit Condimentum
Aenean eu leo Quam
Cursus Amet
Pellentesque Risus Ridiculus
Porta
Etiam Ultricies
Vulputate Commodo Ligula
Cursus Amet Pellentesque Risus Ridiculus Porta Etiam Ultricies Vulputate Commodo Ligula Elit Condimentum Aenean eu leo Quam Cursus Amet Pellentesque Risus Ridiculus Porta Etiam Ultricies Vulputate Commodo Ligula

The Magic Word Has been recognized by FeedSpot as the # 1 magician podcast in the world. Thank you all for your support and for listening throughout the years.

tumblr
linkedin
twitter-unauth
facebook-unauth
instagram-unauth
x-formerly-twitter-unauth
pinterest-unauth
facebook-unauth
Amazon Affiliate 2020 graphic.jpg