Magic is…
"The Great Santa Claus Escapade”
Or
“How to Make Santa Appear in 102 Easy Steps"
By Sandy Dykes
The West Palm Beach Mall decided one year (with some major prodding from the Magic Fun Wagon staff) that instead of having Santa Claus arrive as he had for years in a helicopter or fire engine that it would be great fun if he magically appeared on stage following a fantastic Christmas magic show arraigned by the Magic Fun Wagon. For about a year before, Barry Gibbs and I had revived the nearly nonexistent local IBM Linking Ring 117 from 3 members (including one charter member) into a thriving membership of about 50 to 60 members. It was composed of quite a few “old timers” with experience in stage and theater magic. When we approached the club about the Christmas magic show everyone was thrilled and we were able to easily select all the acts we needed. We asked each magician to time their act to work with the schedule we blocked out for the entire show and each was allotted a specific time slot. Barry was to MC and I was the comedic foil as Snickers the Clown with running gags throughout the show. The mall provided the raised stage and draping and the whole thing was set up at the main entrance where everyone could see the show. One important item was the production box that would magically materialize Santa in all his glory. It was a full size production box on wheels built to appear as a large brick chimney with a door in front for Santa to appear from. Nothing spectacular but the illusion worked.
I can still remember all the excitement leading up to the show, the mall was abuzz with anticipation (or maybe it was just the whirlwind of anticipation we all felt). The mall did real HEAVY promotion for the show with newspaper, radio, and TV ads. There were smiling faces everywhere when “our” day arrived and the mall was packed literally from end to end. The turnout was much greater than expected and you could not get close to the stage if you had a crowbar. The estimate was 3000 people, but they kept coming especially the kids, lots of kids.
But we were prepared, we were all professionals.
Arnie Barnett owner of the Magic Fun Wagon provided the musical accompaniment on piano. He actually played quite well and it was rumored that he once played with Liberace. We all fiddled backstage with last minute preparations while Arnie merrily played Christmas tunes and got the crowd even more worked up (as if that was possible). Barry grabbed the mic and the show was on and after a bit of fun between Barry and myself as Snickers the Clown the first act was introduced. The first magician was well received by the crowd and when complete Barry and I were back on stage for more fun and to introduce the next act.
In hindsight I suppose it would have been better if we had a dress rehearsal, you know checked out the acts, timing, relevance…
I don’t remember the magician’s name and it’s probably best that I don’t. But it seems that his act was revived from the one he did in Vaudeville and I suppose he was a bit rusty here and there. But once he was on stage there was no…
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