The 2017 ACTS!

CHRISTOPHER HART

“The man with the movie star hand,” and “The most famous right hand in Hollywood” is just two of the quotes reviewers have used to describe the talents of master magician Christopher Hart.

This came following his featured role as “Thing” the expressive disembodied hand in the film “The Addams Family,” and its sequel “Addams Family Values."

More than just talented digits, Hart gets to use his whole body in the performance of his multi-award winning magic act.

Fueled with inspiration and hard work, Christopher purposely created his magic and set it to music. He soon found that it broke down all language barriers, and Hart found himself working all over the world. Japan, China, Germany, South America, Canada, and Denmark is just a ‘hand-full’ of the places Christopher has performed his magic.

Christopher reflects, “I’ve found people and cultures all over the globe are fascinated with magic; it really is a universal art form that create feelings of wonder and joy; and that’s why I do it."

Most recently Christopher has stretched his acting muscle past his right wrist. He has been performing over 6 months in the show "Triple Espresso" as the magiciancharacter of "Buzz Maxwell" in a San Diego theatre."I love pushing myself and working on new things" says Christopher. "It keeps my life challenging and never gets boring."

 

<a John Lovick

A talent scout serendipitously spotted a teen-aged Jack Handsome skipping school at Schwab’s Drug Store, and asked his name. “Jack Handsome,” came the reply. The talent scout said, “Jack Handsome? Handsome Jack is more like it!” and a modeling career was born. In mid-career Jack took up magic when a photographer informed him that “magicians get all the groupies.” It wasn’t until years later that Jack learned he had said musicians, not magicians. But by then it was too late to pick up a guitar.

Handsome Jack holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Washington in Seattle, and currently lives in Los Angeles. He is a regular performer at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, where he has been nominated each of the last eleven years as Parlour Magician of the Year (which, of course, means he’s lost… eleven years in a row).

As a popular entertainer at social events and corporate functions, he has wowed such celebrities as Michael Jackson, Morgan Freeman, Bill Pullman, Lucy Liu, Holly Hunter, Nicolas Cage, and Angelina Jolie. Live the lifestyle of the rich and famous by having Handsome Jack liven up your next party or event. Handsome is as handsome does.

 

Jay Mattioli

THERE IS NO OTHER MAGICIAN LIKE JAY MATTIOLI.

His magic has criss-crossed the globe, appearing as the host of Asia's
largest magic variety show, in the first EVER public magic show in
Kuwait, and as a Quarter Finalist on NBC's #1 show "America's Got
Talent".  Jay's one-of-a-kind show includes perfectly synched music,
hilarious audience interaction, levitating audience members, and an
electrifying personality that can't be missed!

 

Josh Janousky

26-year-old animator and magician Josh Janousky is a rising star in the magic community. His consulting work has turned the heads of Gregory Wilson, Garrett Thomas, and Justin Flom, and his public releases quickly became best sellers. Josh has gained a reputation for sharing material that is both workable and extremely clever in thinking, and you’ll get a good taste in his lecture!

 

Craig Diamond

From Caesar's Palace to the high seas, Craig Diamond has appeared live on stage in nightclubs, hotels, resorts, casinos, on television and luxury cruise ships around the world.  In the past 30 years, comedy and magic have literally taken him to all seven continents, performing in over 130 countries for millions of delighted audience members.

Craig has performed for presidents, prime ministers, kings, queens and a host of celebrities.  He has shared the stage with such entertainment legends as Victor Borge, Joan Rivers, Clint Holmes, The Smothers Brothers, Bobby Vinton, Phyllis Diller, Soupy Sales, Merv Griffin, Bobby Rydel, David Brenner and the one and only Sammy Davis, Jr.

Craig Diamond is an award-winning master magician, hilarious stand up comic and world class entertainer.

 

 

John Bundy and Morgan

John Bundy and Morgan have been called "The best kept secret in magic." They have dazzled audiences around the world with imaginative presentations of theatrical Illusion. 

Known for creating themed magic and illusion, Bundy and Morgan have produced magic shows for Six Flags, Busch Gardens and Cedar Fair amusements parks across America. 

John and Morgan have been recognized by the magic world with cover stories and feature articles in the industry periodicals: Magic, Magic Manuscript and Laughmakers magazine.  In 2016 John Bundy and Morgan were presented with the award for outstanding illusionists by the Milbourne Christopher foundation. This prestigious award is considered to be one of the top three accolades awarded to magicians worldwide.

In 2010 they appeared in the Paramount Pictures "Morning Glory" which starred Harrison Ford and Rachel McAdams.  That same year, Morgan was named "Escape Artist of the Year" on "The World Magic Awards" televised special.

Their additional television credits include two appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, Rachael Ray Show and Ricki Lake Show.  Behind the cameras, illusions and coaching was provided for a magic episode of "Law and Order Criminal Intent" “Gotham” and “Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris”

 

Mario the Magician

As seen on Sesame Street and NBCUniversal’s Sprout Channel, NYC’s Mario "the Maker Magician" Marchese is more than just a performer. He is also an inventor who creates his own props and is known for his integration of DIY electronics and robotics into his live performance for family audiences. It’s vintage meets the future. Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin for the modern age, with a mad inventor twist. Mario is currently a resident artist developing new work for the New Victory Theater LabWorks program in New York City. He is also the subject of award-winning indie documentary film, Building Magic.

 

 

Jason Ladanye

Jason Ladanye has been performing card magic since the age of seven, when he was first inspired by the artistry of David Copperfield. Today he makes his living with a deck of cards—and has a passion for perfecting his craft.

Jason has performed his unique brand of card magic at Resort Casinos like Turning Stone, Foxwoods, and Mohegan Sun, and at corporate events for Fortune 500 companies including Fuji Films, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, and General Motors. Earlier this year, Jason performed at the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. The Road Company, one of the biggest theatrical production companies in North America, hired Jason as a consultant for their hit Broadway show, Cheers Live. In 2004 and 2010, Jason Ladanye represented the USA at the prestigious International Magic Convention held in London, England. He has appeared on ABC’s 20/20 and Inside Edition exposing card cheating scams. In 2013, Jason released his first book, Confident Deceptions,  which is available worldwide. In 2017, Jason will be releasing his second book, Game Changer. His peers consider Jason one of the best card magicians in the world.

 

Frank Deville

At the age of 17, Frank DeVille discovered a love and natural knack for magic. He was soon performing on the street, bringing in enough money to pay for his BFA in Theatre from George Mason University.

Frank has a very diverse, eclectic show taking classic illusions and magic tricks and devising completely unique methods of performance that often fool fellow magicians. Frank’s degree taught him the art of improvisation, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats or doubled over laughing.

Frank is lauded for drawing huge crowds, part of that success being attributed to the strolling magic teaser he performs before every show. He captivates individuals with his up-close sleight of hand and impossible tricks mere inches from their eyes. These “teaser” mini-shows create a huge buzz and guarantee a spectacular turnout.

Highly acclaimed by his peers, his esteemed awards include the 2008 People’s Choice Award, 2008 and 2009 winner of the “Robert Escher Close Up and Parlor Magic Competition,” and in 2009 he was awarded first place in the “Comedy Caravan’s Battle of the Hands.” Watch Frank perform and you will quickly understand why Alain Nu, star of TLC’s TV series “The Mysterious World of Alain Nu” said “Frank’s 6 bill repeat is the best I’ve ever seen.”

 

 

Sinbad Max

Sinbad Max has been lurking in the underground magic scene of Beijing, China for far too long. Throughout his years in hiding, he became tremendously influenced by the elegance of David Roth, the hard-hitting magic of Curtis Kam, and the technical finesses of Kainoa Harbottle.

 

Thanks to these great influences, Max developed his own captivating style of performance. He’s deeply fond of kicker endings and considers them a significant part of his coin magic. He loves their wildly visual, disarming nature and finds them to be reflective of his own personality.

 

Doug Stafford

“Better Entertainment Through Poor Life Choices”

A Comedian With Clubs, Douglas Stafford brings his particular viewpoint into  the Fringe Festival and Renaissance Fair Circuit combining circus art and sideshow his particular “twisted” perspective on life.  Based in Philadelphia, his current project  “My Lack Of Social Life”  is an inside look at the life style, choices, and the things we entertainers don’t like admitting.  He is based out of the Maryland Renaissance Festival and looks forward to continuing to break down the fourth wall.