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federico luduena Loyal user Spain 248 Posts |
Magicopolis has always been a privileged place. Both for audiences and magicians. Besides the great stadium-style structure, I used to find that performers themselves, when in Magicopolis, adopt that sharing perspective. I was lucky enough to have insightful conversation with the different house magicians, which included Bob Sheets for a while. And then you had the stage performers, like Jeff McBride, meeting with fans and students after the shows. Good to know that Steve keeps everything up and running. When you visit the theater, you might enjoy talking with him about movies, apart from magic. He is a wonderful source of knowledge on the subject.
federico |
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ladirector Regular user 128 Posts |
When I told my friend about the Café and the comment I posted regarding the show he, a non-magician, asked me to pass on this:
Steve, this is an honest to God real life thank you for making my day a little better. You know how it is, you come home from your crap job after getting belittled for 8 hours for whatever it is you didn't do fast enough with a good round of hour-long traffic on both sides of the equation. I got home after a really swell day at the office and my wife and friends took me to Magicoplis for my birthday. For those days that are as bad as that one, a cure is to celebrate your birthday with a magic show, which is why I wanted to say thanks. After a really crappy day, something that can make you forget it for a while and make you smile is worth a million thanks. Regards, Gerald P. |
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Steve Spill V.I.P. 211 Posts |
Federico, My how time flies, Jeff McBride and Bob Sheets were regular performers here eleven years ago. A lot has happened since you moved from LA to Argentina. Glad you are still in magic, how is Rene Levand doing? You mentioned our chats about films. Remember my Orson Welles story? I have a concise version of it written in my files. For those who haven't heard it, I'll paste it here...
In 1970 I was the youngest member of a magician’s club called “Sh*t,” the name was an acronym for Sleight of Hand Intimate Tableworkers. The club’s founder, magician / comedy writer Lou Derman, was a well-connected Hollywood guy, at the time best known for his work on “Mr. ED,” a television show about a talking horse. When contacted by Nate, a fellow teenage magician and Lou’s nephew, about an emergency “Sh*t” meeting, I already had something planned for that night. My plans changed when I heard Orson Welles would be there and the purpose of the meeting was to screen a recently completed film called “Get To Know Your Rabbit.” The film, directed by an unknown named Brian De Palma, featured Welles as a magician and Tommy Smothers as his student. I was very excited, as was Nate, when we carpooled over to his Uncle Lou’s. Welles was the only participant in the film to attend the screening. I have no idea where Lou got a print of the film, but it wasn’t from Welles, who made a point of telling everyone he hadn’t seen it. After viewing “Get To Know Your Rabbit,” which was projected on a window-shade-type pull-down screen in Lou’s den, all of us had the same reaction: the film was not as good as we had hoped it would be. Others must have felt the same, since it wasn’t released for years, and then only briefly in a single theater. The evening still turned out to be one of the most memorable of all my memorable evenings. Welles told us wonderfully personal stories about his exploits as a filmmaker and his experience as the star of his own big magic show during the war years. It was wonderful and terrible. Wonderful that all of us had fallen deeply in love with the utterly irresistible Welles. But terrible that an evening that went so smashingly could turn sour in the flush of a toilet. I was a more than credible eye-witness who would swear that the awful smell emanating from the powder room, which was located less than ten feet from where all the members were gathered, was not present before Oscar Award-winning filmmaker, Orson Welles, had gone into it. Nate and I traded glances and grimaced, with a what-the-hell-is-that? expression on our faces. Welles came blithely out of the powder room and smilingly rejoined the crowd. No one seemed to smell what Nate and I were smelling, or if they did they were acting as though they didn’t, which, with a bunch of magicians, was possible. The stench of the lethal fumes poured into the den, making it a gas chamber. No one person could have created such a pungent bomb. Suddenly everyone was saying their good-byes at the door. Uncle Lou made Nate and I stay to help find the source of the offensive odor. We considered that it might be a broken pipe under the powder room. The next morning, foul-smell experts – a plumber, along with someone from the health department, diagnosed the problem. A stray cat had, weeks or months earlier, squeezed itself through a small opening under the house and had not been able to find its way out. A Santa Ana wind kicked up and blew through Los Angeles. A particularly strong gust had wooshed through the crawl space under the house, wafting the aroma of the putrefying cat up through the basement and into the house. The next “Sh*t” newsletter explained that a gas-masked city worker, wearing heavy work gloves and carrying a very long pole with tongs at the end, removed the poor animal, and fumigated the area. Lou finished by writing, “I hope you didn’t, as I did, falsely accuse Orson Welles for fouling our lovely atmosphere. The man has been completely exonerated.” Federico come back to LA, we miss you here at Magicopolis. |
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ladirector Regular user 128 Posts |
I also met Welles several times when he appeared on the Merv Griffin Show where I worked during the eighties. Hilarious anecdote Steve, I hope we can become better aquainted on my next Magicopolis visit.
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Jeff Jenson Veteran user Denver, Colorado 319 Posts |
Will be in LA soon and I'm looking forward to seeing the show, all of the reviews sound great and I can hardly wait!
Best, Jeff
Jeff Jenson
"Keep The Magic Alive" |
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federico luduena Loyal user Spain 248 Posts |
While I was telling him about Magicopolis, my friend Merpin started to express his admiration for Steve Spill. It happens that Merpin is an experienced performer (kind of legendary in Argentina) who actually makes a living using Steve's creations. Since Merpin doesn't write well in English, I am translating his words verbatim (not that I am much better at it, you'll see). He stressed the fact that these are his true thoughts on the matter:
"I first heard of Steve Spill through one of his original effects in an issue of Genii from the early 90s. There, he taught a fantastic effect, easy to build, where the performer eviscerated an eye from his own face with an 'ordinary' spoon. That effect rapidly became part of my repertoire. As soon as I finished reading the article, I realized that I was before a very original and creative mind. Said impression was confirmed some time later, when I was able to get acquainted with his marvelous creations. I am now recalling his excellent, and to me inexplicable, version of Needles in Mouth. Also, I remember his version of the classic Prayer Vase, done with a wand and a bottle, with the unexpected ending of a broken and restored bottle. I believe that the Mentalist Goose act represents the most wonderful and original use of nailwriting, and sharply comical. A product of a very original mind, are effects like the Russian Roulette done with knives and the inventive manner of utilizing the rice bowls as the two halves of a human brain. I would like to say that Steve Spill's magic is comic but not exempt from touches of black humor, as we see in effects like the Blood Crying Stone, or the Voodoo Doll. All of this tied up with the synthetic staging of effects and the minimalist esthetics of his character. It makes me think that Steve Spill is a great creator, not only of effects but also of their presentations and staging. Both sublime qualities, which we rarely have the chance to enjoy together in one single artist. That artist is Steve Spill". |
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Steve Spill V.I.P. 211 Posts |
Ladirector and federico: please tell your friends I am flattered by, and very much appreciate, their comments.
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Fred Johnson Regular user 110 Posts |
Years ago I saw you live in Aspen. I am a big fan, here it is just a little over thirty years later and I going to see you again next weekend at Magicopolis.
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Ken Dumm Inner circle 1239 Posts |
You're in for a treat, Fred.
Ken |
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Fred Johnson Regular user 110 Posts |
Ken, you were right on the money. This low-tech, but high-concept program is a simply terrific blend of large and small magic, brimming with comedy and heartfelt emotion. Spill assembles the show's challenging components of close-up, parlor, illusions, monologues, sketches, and storytelling, with the skill of a puzzle master. What results is genuinely artful, a vivid mosiac assembled from a lifetime in magic.
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Ken Dumm Inner circle 1239 Posts |
I was in Santa Monica, week before last, but only during the week so I wasn't able to see the weekend show. I happen to be walking by Magicopolis one of the afternoons and saw Steve behind the counter. I walked in and Steve greeted me like an old friend, even though we've only met once or twice. We had a great conversation about everything from the business side of magic to the new age of advertising. It was a real treat sharing and hearing stories with Steve. I look forward to buying him lunch next time I'm in town.
See you then Steve... Ken |
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boboshempy Veteran user Jersey 373 Posts |
I just made my second visit to Steve’s show at Magicopolis on Sunday, I caught the matinee! I see a lot of magic performances, and I mean A LOT, and Steve’s show is a breath of fresh air, that's why I keep going back. He really has a unique and quirky show, not the same old thing that everyone is doing. He always keeps me laughing. Steve is the hardest working guy in magic, a real performer. He is a true professional and a great guy. He entertains everyone from kids to celebrities. During my last visit Arsenio Hall was in the house, and this time Greg Kinnear and Steven Weber sat in my row. Too awesome!
I'll be back the next time I am in Santa Monica! This is a must see show when you are in the area! Nick |
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Jonathan Smith Regular user 125 Posts |
Hi Mr. Spill, I'm a goose handler and needle swallower who will be making my first Santa Monica visit specifically to see you and Magicopolis. My wife and I will be there this Saturday night.
Jon |
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Jonathan Smith Regular user 125 Posts |
The wife and I had a great time at Magicopolis and the audience response - from close-up to the grand illusions - can only be described as explosive. It's not surprising this show has been running eleven years, and what a treat that Mr. Spill is available to meet everyone personally. We'll be back with friends.
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doug brewer V.I.P. 1142 Posts |
I had my first visit to Magicopolis just this Saturday and it was great. There have already been many accolades written above that I could repeat, but let me just say that I witnessed one of the best versions of paper balls over the head I've ever seen. Yes, paper balls over the head. I think Steve owns this effect - I've not seen it done better. The show is filled with unique effects, classics and stage illusions. Highly recommended.
Also, Eric the bartender does some kick butt magic and is one heck of a funny guy. Very strong stuff. Be sure and check it out if you're planning a trip to L.A. Doug Brewer San Diego, CA |
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John George New user California 25 Posts |
I went to Magicopolis with MR.Brewer last week. We had a great time.
I must agree with Doug's assessment of Steve's paper balls over the head routine. I have never seen a better version. The audience loved it. This may sound odd that we are raving about a paper balls over head routine. However, his version has a major difference that adds a lot to an already great effect. Go watch this now. I was also impressed with Steve's escape at the end of the show. I am not a big fan of any type of escapes. They usually appear to lack any real danger. Steve's escape seems very dangerous. I turned to Doug after seeing the escape and said "I would never try that". Doug replied, "Me neither. It looks too dangerous." When you go to Magicopolis go early and stay late at the bar. Erik Tait does an amazing job behind the bar. Erik does great magic and he is extremely funny. Make sure you see him make a rose out of a napkin for a girl. Very funny stuff---and strong magic too. It was a fun night ---we will go back. John George |
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jackstevens New user 87 Posts |
This show is an odd mix of expertly performed magic of all types presented with stand-up, spoken word, sketches, scenes, music, and theatre. The only elements not incorporated are singing and dancing, which was a welcome relief, but Spill said if he could sing he would have exploited that a long time ago.
The most moving parts of the show for me were the floating patient in the psychiatrist's office, the vanishing medium in the seance, card and coin work, lemon trick, and the mentalism hunks. I've always read it's bad to mix magic and mentalism in the same show, but they work well together here. In an unspoken way, Spill seems to allow himself to experience the joy of performing without being an ass, like some others I've seen. Both he, and Eric who did a fine job with close-up at the bar, obviously adore applause, and earn it. |
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Steve Spill V.I.P. 211 Posts |
Thank you one and all, your comments tickle my fancy and feed my ego... and who among us doesn't enjoy being tickled and fed?
Our show, Escape Reality, will be dark April 20 thru April 30 so Bozena and I can vacation in Costa Rica, where we plan to retire at some point. So get your tickets before or after those dates and before we retire. I'll be looking for you. http://www.magicopolis.com |
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Dr. Solar Special user Citrus Heights, Ca. 526 Posts |
Hey Steve,
You said it, don't be retiring any time soon, I want to get in another opportunity to take in your show again next time south. A trip to LA is not complete without taking in your well crafted performances and enjoying the friendly atmosphere of your inspirational theater. I ran into a friend in Santa Cruz just back from taking in your show and he was ecstatic about the whole thing.He couldn't believe you single handedly designed and built, at least had built, your theater space, a tribute giving the Art of magic a beautiful home. I cannot stress enough to anybody going to Santa Monica or LA to make the effort to swing by and enjoy magic at its finest. And then, if there is any time left to their trip, take in the Castle. In that order. See ya soon, Dr. Solar
"look for me in all things forgotten"
www.drsolar.com |
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markmiller Special user 731 Posts |
I just read all the pages of this thread for no particular reason. I agree with all the accolades, no need to repeat how well the magic is performed and presented or my favorite routines, and there are more than a few. I want to point out some things that nobody has mentioned yet.
The soundtrack, never overbearing, the music is uncannily picked to enhance. Everything from Pink Floyd, Led Zepplen - to Sting, Henry Mancini, Mozart, various bits of trance music, and soft scoring under certain dialogue. It's obvious Steve's work on this does not represent only his efforts, but instead, all of those magicians of the past and present who have labored so diligently to create, perfect, and present the art of magic, that have come before him. But he most certainly has interpreted the work of these others in a very original way and this post is my grateful acknowledgment for a show every magician should see and will likely enjoy. Thanks Steve. |
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