Inside Magic

Dr. Ungar

Dr. Jay M. Ungar and the Philosophy of MagicHe was originally going to
call it, The Shtick Is the Trick, but went with a more conventional
title, Bringing Magic to Life.

While the title may be more conventional, Dr. Ungar and his work is anything but.

His “Day Job” as an Internist.  His “Fun Job” is as a very talented and successful magician.

In his “Day Job” he is Dr. Ungar.  In his “Fun Job” he is “Ragnu the OK.”

It
only took us about ten minutes to figure out “Ragnu” is “Ungar”
backwards. 

Of course, we did have subtle hints on Dr. Ungar’s web
site explaining what Ragnu meant.  But we’ve never been known to
take the easy way out, or to read directions.  We hope we haven’t
ruined the surprise for you.

He’s worked shows in venues as
diverse as local retirement homes and inner-city health centers, to Las
Vegas and big time theaters. 

He is featured in the Massachusetts
daily The Republican for his diverse interests as well as his upcoming book-signing. 

He calls his signing party, “Magic, Munchies and More.”  The next one is schedule November 19th. 

Don’t
expect this book to be an expos? of the magician’s art, an unmasking of
the sorcerer’s secrets. Yes, Ungar does give some step-by-step
direction and refers the reader to classic texts in which all is
revealed by masters of the trade. But that’s not what this book is
about.

“The real magic is not in the tricks,” says Ungar, “but in the
connection they create.”In “Bringing Magic to Life,” he spells out the
engaging stream of language, the “patter” and cajoling, that he uses
with each of his tricks.

It’s the part of magic that beginners
and aspirants may not think about very much. It’s the part that goes
beyond fooling the eye to touching the heart.

“My original title for the book was The Shtick Is the Trick,” says Ungar. Shtick is Yiddish for a show-business routine.

To
Ungar, the most important part of performing is not the “gotcha”
moment. Rather, it’s the process of talking to the audience, connecting
with them, drawing them into a conspiracy of fun.The book is about that
and more. “It’s a collection of thoughts, anecdotes and philosophy
about what brings magic into people’s lives,” Ungar says.

Dr. Ungar spent four years bringing to life the book Bringing Magic to Life.

He self-published the book and will dedicate any proceeds in excess of the printing costs to the Children’s Miracle Network.

The book has done well in early reviews:

“This
is a remarkable work… if you want to be different, remembered and
tell a tale that will have people talking about you long after you are
gone… then I envy you! For you are in for one heck of a ride.”

Mark Tripp

Check out Dr. Unger’s very cool web site for more information
about the book and his work.  He uses just the right amount of
Flash in his intro (and it even has an appropriate theme for the site)
and the navigation is easy.  We loved the file names for some of
his images in the photo…
Continue reading Dr. Ungar is Writer, Performer and Funny Guy