Making magic cool again

From being fascinated with live magic shows at the age of 5 to having the same initials as one of the most famous illusionists of all time, Woodmere native Eric Wilzig has pulled off one of life’s neat tricks: doing what he loves.

With his “Extreme Magic of Eric” show, Wilzig, 18, currently a freshman at Rutgers University has created what he calls “an extraordinarily different type of magic show for both kids and adults.”

Wilzig, a graduate of the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway, has performed more than 700 shows at camps, schools and hotels, television and even in Times Square, since he began performing for audiences about six years ago.

Aboard a cruise, Wilzig, then 12, won the top prize after competing against many adults in a talent show. “At this young age I performed a magic act which got me a standing ovation and first prize,” he said, noting that accomplishment changed his life. “Seeing this and the power magic had on an audience really inspired me to pursue performing magic on stage.”

Thriving in the challenge of creating unique illusions and designing props that other magicians don’t have is want keeps Wilzig energized, along with the extreme tricks he chooses to perform.

It takes what Wilzig called “years” to create a routine and months for him to perfect it. And though he uses female assistant for many of his shows he loves the most dangerous illusions are the ones he likes best.

Three of his favorites include the award winning “Diamond-plated Steel Box of Escape ... of Death,” an original trick of Houdini’s, where Wilzig is handcuffed and put into a small steel box that is locked and strapped; an escape he performs in full view of the audience. This illusion earned Wilzig the title of “Stage Magic Champion” from the renowned Manhattan-based Tannen’s, a shop catering to magicians. E.W. were also the initials of Harry Houdini, whose real name was Erich Weiss.

Other parts of his extreme show include, catching a signed paintball in his mouth that is shot from a paintball gun fired by a random volunteer and swallowing six sharp razor blades and spitting them out tied onto a thread. Another Houdini-like trick, but he used needles.

“From the time I started performing on stage my goal was to make magic cool again,” Wilzig said. “To take away people’s perception of magicians being old men in tuxedos pulling doves from a scarf.”

His performance at Long Ridge Camp in Stamford, Conn., had everyone for days talking about and trying to figure out how Wilzig did what he did, said Geoff Alswanger, the camp’s director.

“His engaging, energetic and mystifying performance really wowed the camp,” Alswanger said. “Not only did his skills surpass performers many times his age, but his youthfulness provided a nice connection with the campers and staff.”

Having met the current masters of illusion such as Criss Angel, David Copperfield and Penn and Teller, Wilzig has learned what it takes to be successful in this theatrical art of illusion and entertainment.

“My shows are very interactive — serious for the most part with humor thrown in when needed,” said Wilzig, who thinks he has created a show that appeals to children, adults and what he called the “think-they-know-it-all teenagers.”

He has also taken the common “sawing a woman in half” illusion and showed the audience how they thought it was done could not be done. What he calls “the ultimate illusion.”

While studying for his degree, Wilzig will continue to perform, including at the Times Square Performing Arts Center in October. The date has yet to be set, he said.

“Seeing the amazement and wonder on people of all ages gives me the greatest satisfaction,” said Wilzig, who advises youthful magicians, “If you can dream it, you can be it. You just got to believe in yourself and work hard.”