Genii Magazine March 2025

GENII

THE CONJURORS’ MAGAZINE

VOLUME 88
NUMBER 2
FEBRUARY 2025

The Genii Speaks by Jim Steinmeyer

• Our March surprises, with commentary by our editors

Mailbox

• Some careful perceptions, some “Inattentional Blindness”

The March Almanac

• On this day, Charlie Chaplin celebrated, but Henry Clive didn’t

The Eye by Vanessa Armstrong

• Mistie Knight now cooks; Zabrecky now sings

Germany’s Savant of Magic by Carl Mercurio

• A review of Dennis Behr’s show in Brooklyn

FEATURES

Helen Coghlan, Penn & Teller’s Undefeated Opponent by Noah Levine

• Helen Coghlan plays their game with her own priorities, her own attitude, and her own experience in the world of magic.

Why We Rewrite History by Jim Steinmeyer

• It’s not about politics or fashions: Our magic history changes, and sometimes our magic history can inspire with new stories.

Genii Roundtable Tips For Getting Booked by Vanessa Armstrong

• We convened an amazing meeting, and heard some common sense and uncommon insights from the country’s top magic clubs.

VOICES

Evolve or Repeat, There Is No Other Choice by Alba

• Aiming straight for the audience

The Genii Questionnaire

• Lisa Menna succumbs to our revealing 20 Questions

Why Everything You Know is a Lie by Annaya George

• What are we actually talking about?

The Boundaries of Magic Are Not Real by Peter Lamont

• When we create categories, we may be limiting our creativity

IN PRACTICE

Magicana: The Elusive Coins to Glass by Richard Kaufman

• R. Paul Wilson’s unconventional handling for a classical routine

Inventing Magic by Blake Vogt

• The Ring-Ceipt, a ring disappearance created with Daniel Garcia

Fan Collectors by Sara Rodriguez

• A sleight-of-hand marvel, the trick Rodríguez “would show Ray Kosby”

Dreams Come True by David Regal

• A card mystery built in front of the audience

IN PERRFORMANCE

The Magic Castle by Shawn McMaster

• The return of Ivan Amodei, a Castle favorite

Marvyn’s Magic Theatre by Vanessa Armstrong

• Jeff Hobson’s slice of Las Vegas in La Quinta, California

MARKETPLACE

The $100 Challenge by Jordan Meller

• We gave a young magician $100 to buy some current magic

Trick Reviews

• Liquid Spectrum, Omni Air, Cheater’s Chips, The Predator Pack, The Clown’s Nightmare, Aerostatic Milk Bottle

Book Reviews

• Unexpected Agenda, The Particle System, Stairway, Repertoire II, Gibecière Vol. 19, No. 2

Video Reviews

• Rick Maue, Krystyn Lambert, Sam Huang,Taylor Hughes

 

• Advertisers Index

WORKSHOP

The Name Game by David Kaye

• Sometimes you just can’t understand your volunteer

Lying Through Your Teeth by Andrew Frost

• A guide for being a little more dishonest, when you need to be

The Joy of Dropping by Lindsay Benner

• Dropping is part of life, failure is imperative to improvement

PERSPECTIVES

The Chamber of Secrets by John Gaughan

• Robert-Houdin’s legendary Light and Heavy Chest

Learn a Fourth Trick by Patrick Davis

• New material may be the solution to your problems

Sweet Dreams at the Close-Up Table by Patrick Davis

• The trick that you’ll be thinking about tomorrow

Larry Wilmore… on Magic

• Insights from the popular host, writer, comedian, producer… and magician