Mike Super is a magician, an illusionist, and sometimes he’s called a mystifier. His website says that he has pioneered a new form of magic that transcends the “trick.” He has the right stage name (he claims it is not his real name) because that describes how he gives a show.
I was a part of the audience one evening at the Avenel Performing Arts Centerwhere Mike performed from July 11 – 14. I was amazed and dazzled, and best of all, I had a lot of fun at his show. Judging from the conversations I had with other people and reactions I saw, the rest of the audience enjoyed the show too.
Mike is known to many because he appeared on several television shows. He was a finalist on America’s Got Talent, and he won NBC’s Magic Competition on the show Phenomenon. If you have seen him on television, you know how amazing he is. But seeing him do a live show takes it to an entirely different level. He is truly a performer who knows how to impress a crowd with his incredible feats. Add in a warm personality, good storytelling, and the ability to get the audience involved with the show and you have qualities that truly are magic.
Tricks, Magic, and Illusions - Right from the start, Mike tells the crowd that he does tricks, magic, and illusions. He also provides some background about how young he was when he started with magic. He introduces Desmond, his imaginary friend, who he claims has been in his life since childhood. Is he just a figment of his imagination? The audience was not so sure after he does an amazing demonstration of the energy Desmond brings with him. This involved an audience member wearing a plastic glove holding a fairly heavy glass pitcher while the audience pushes their energy towards it. When the pitcher shatters into many small pieces right in front of our eyes, we are amazed in wonder. It’s looking better and better that Desmond is really with us. And so Mike Super makes his point and we believe!
Mike Super introduces Desmond on America’s Got Talent - The show is filled with a variety of feats, one more amazing than another. The audience was especially taken with a trick that involved playing card selections used to predict what will appear on papers and chalkboards. Another was collecting three rings from three different people. The three rings end up being entwined into one connected piece which Mike eventually separates and returns to the owners. For certain parts of the show, a projection screen is used to give a close up view of something being done particularly the card tricks. This adds a lot to the audience feeling more a part of the show.
How does he do it? Frankly, I don’t really want to know. I want to sit back and enjoy and believe that maybe it really is magic.
Mike Super Makes the Show Special for All Attending - Part of the charm of going to a live show is the sensation of seeing things as they happen right before your eyes. Mike Super adds to that by making the audience a part of the show. He walks frequently into the audience and establishes a rapport with them. This allows people to feel more comfortable about volunteering to go up on stage. It also allows them to share in the magic of the production. Mike is able to make it feel like it is the audience’s show and not just him performing on stage. A nice talent to be able to this.
He has also very cleverly come up with his own word, “lavenous.” In Avenel, he related how he ordered a steak in their onsite restaurant, Curtains, and when the waitress asked how it was, he responded with “it’s lavenous.” He said she smiled but he wasn’t sure if she knew what it meant but it seemed to relay something. He then inserts the word at various points in the show, the audience knows what it represents and its as if we all have a little secret code uniting us in this show.
Not only is Mike Super good at this relationship building, but he also is an excellent storyteller. His style is likable with a light sprinkling of humor and very down to earth. His storytelling includes good descriptions of what is taking place during a set piece and his openness has you hanging on every word he says.
The Finale - The show is well designed, well paced, and runs about a two hours with an intermission. The finale is particularly poignant when Mike does a tribute to his late mother as he produces snow on stage. He uses this as an opportunity to thank the crowd and we get to enjoy the music and sensation of snow falling.
Mike Super says he doesn’t do magic, that he uses illusions and devices to carry out his actions. Frankly, after seeing this show, I want to believe that it was magic that took place there. The opportunity to totally escape from reality for a few hours and see a gifted performer working his craft is magic for me.
