Illusionists Program Book

DEC 17, 2024

7:30 PM

SPONSORED BY CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS Gene & Kristen Stohs

PATRON FRIENDS

SEASON SPONSOR

N. Jerry Carden & Mary A. Riley Doug & Vikki Kotil Ed & Sue Tricker

CORPORATE SPONSOR

ABOUT THE CAST DAVID WILLIAMSON – THE TRICKSTER David Williamson is an international award-winning magician who has been entertaining audiences for over 40 years. He has won multiple awards for his unique and comedic style of magic and has performed on various TV shows and in theaters around the world.

David feels incredibly fortunate to be able to do what he loves for a living and is grateful for the opportunity to meet new people and bring magic and laughter to the world. His performances are filled with humor and audience participation, making them a hit with audiences of all ages. David has been featured in numerous publications and is highly regarded in the world of magic. His book of magic instruction has been translated into five languages. He believes that magic is a gift that should be shared with others, and he is dedicated to bringing joy and wonder to people’s lives through his performances.

Instagram: @magicwilly | Website: davidwilliamson.com CHRIS COX – THE MENTALIST Chris Cox knows what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, who the hell is Chris Cox? Lucky you’re reading this then! He’s a multi-award winning ‘mind reader who can’t read minds’ and the only mind-reader in history to have played New York’s Broadway, London’s West End & Sydney Opera House having been seen live by over 750,000 people worldwide.

He’s the star of the BBC’s Chris Cox’s Mind Boggling Magic & Killer Magic and has been featured on NBC’s The Today Show. Outside of performing Chris is a creative for Harry Potter & The Cursed Child, Lapland UK, DC Comic’s Park Row Restaurant and Punchdrunk. The UK’s Guardian Newspaper say he is “one of the most exciting entertainers in Britain” with The New York Times saying he’s ‘a hyperactive Harry Potter who knows what you’re thinking.’ Though Chris is far too modest to mention it.

Instagram: @magiccox | Website: magiccox.com PABLO CÁNOVAS – THE UNFORGETTABLE The young enchanting Spanish magician, Pablo, has made himself known internationally as a prodigy. Pablo held the record 3 times for the youngest illusionist winner in Spain.

The recognition of his extraordinary skills granted him the tittle “Golden Magician” in Paris, France “Magician D’Or” and the winning title of “Heir of Illusion” in the house of Magic. Pablo was welcomed to perform all over Europe with reputable international events like “The Royal Garden” or “The Art of Magic”. Pablo allows his audience to remain a captivating and charmed curiosity throughout his talent and he displays beauty when performing. He allows minds to be opened and really put into doubt on what one actually sees.

Instagram: @pablo.canovas | Website: pablocanovas.com JAMES MORE – THE DECEPTIONIST James More is currently one of the world’s leading and most viral illusionists. He first made an impact after an incredible run on “Britain’s Got Talent” back in 2013 and has the most viewed audition from his series with over 100 million hits on YouTube. The British-born illusionist continued to make waves with his own sell-out tour, “Theatre of Illusion” and soon after, he was approached by the world’s largest touring magic show, “The Illusionists.” Having performed with the show in over 50 countries around the globe, More became the first British magician in history to appear on Broadway in New York City. His growing reputation also includes special guest appearances on “The Ellen Show,” “America’s got Talent” and ITV’S “Tonight at the London Palladium.”

Instagram: @jamesmoremagic | Website: jamesmoremagic.com

LEONARDO BRUNO – THE ALCHEMIST It was 1997 when Leonardo Bruno decided to be part of the world of magic. His grandfather Leonardo Trebole, one of the most important magicians in Mexico and Latin America, was his inspiration and teacher at the beginning of his career. Leonardo Bruno has traveled the world using magic as a means to stimulate people’s imagination and senses. He believes that magic can influence people regardless of their age, language, or culture. “It is the invisible thread that binds people to tell stories, to revive the past, to believe in the impossible, to imagine the future, to marvel at the simpleness of life or to let the child out that all adults have inside. If I had to define my professional career, I’d say I recount events and stories from the past using magic to illustrate them.” In 2013, he created a show that was part of the Vaudeville Variety Show at the Grand Canyon, Arizona where he performed for more than a year for visitors from different parts of the world. Leonardo Bruno sees magic as a theatrical spectacle that aims to connect with the emotions of the spectators through common experiences. He says, ”It’s a choreography that illustrates stories that the public can identify with.” He then went on to travel. To date, he has worked in more than 20 countries in important venues such as Magic Castle and Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, USA; Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in Brisbane, Australia; WTC in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Marina Bay Sands (MBS) in Singapore; Palais des Congrès in Paris, France; Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia; and the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and among others. Since 2015 Leonardo Bruno has been part of the cast The Illusionists where he presents classic effects. Some of them were created by Kevin James, such as the floating rose (which David Copperfield includes in his show in Las Vegas) as well as the amputated hand that comes to life, the bowling ball that appears from a notebook, the card that materializes inside a balloon, and the big production of snow. He currently lives and works in Las Vegas, Nevada but considers himself a citizen of the world. “All the countries I’ve visited make me feel at home. Magic connects me to people’s feelings. It’s a universal language.”

Instagram: @itsleonardobruno | Website: leonardobruno.com ELOISE HARPAS – MAGICIAN’S ASSISTANT/DANCER Eloise Harpas is a true born performer gracing the stages of the world with her passion for dance and the magic world. Born in Sydney Australia Eloise was introduced to the entertainment industry at the young age of 3 and received her first professional dance job at the age of 14 performing on the hit TV show Xfactor. Taking the dance world by storm Eloise has shared the stage with some of the most iconic international artists such as Dua Lipa, Sam Smith, Jbalvin, Katy Perry and more. Always eager too broaden her entertainment skills, Eloise has found her way into magic and now assists some of the most incredible magicians around the globe performing internationally as well as having the prestigious role of dance captain amongst her fellow cast. Eloise looks forward to sharing her performance with America.

Instagram: @eloise_harpas CASEY ROXAS – MAGICIAN’S ASSISTANT/DANCER Casey Roxas was born and raised in Woodbridge, Virginia and started dancing at 12 years old. At the age of 18, he moved to London, England for College and started competing in professional and collegiate level break dance tournaments. In 2018, Roxas moved to Los Angeles, California to work in the entertainment industry as a professional dancer. Since then, he’s danced on various productions for brands such as Gucci, Adidas, Disney, Target, FaceBook, The Jabbawockeez and now, The Illusionists!

Instagram: @caseyroxas

CONTRIBUTING SPONSOR STORY

GENE & KRISTEN STOHS We have been proud Lied supporters ever since the building campaign and the grand opening in 1990. How amazing it has been to watch the Lied Center make an indelible mark, not only in Lincoln, but across the entire state. We cannot imagine our community or our lives without this beautiful performing arts center!

When we attend Lied performances, we want to be entertained, informed, and leave with continuing conversation. In choosing to sponsor the Illusionists, we can “suspend belief” and challenge our imaginations to figure out how these illusions could have been accomplished.

Kristen and Gene Stohs Past Friends of Lied President and Current Volunteer Usher, respectively

CORPORATE

SPONSOR STORY

Since its beginnings as a small paving company founded by George P. Abel Sr. in the dawn of the 20th century, NEBCO has evolved into a corporation with a wide variety of business interests.

The philosophy of the Abel family has always included the tradition of returning a measure of its success to the community through monetary contributions. The first substantial gift from the Abel family was made in memory of George P. Abel, Sr. in 1944 to the newly formed University of Nebraska Foundation. As the company grew, more contributions were made to various organizations, and in 1946 George P. Abel, Jr. incorporated the Abel Foundation as an orderly means of coordinating the family’s gifts.

Since that time, the Abel Foundation has awarded a number of major gifts to Nebraska projects, which have greatly promoted the quality of life in Nebraska communities. Major beneficiaries include: University of Nebraska, Nebraska Wesleyan University, YMCA, Lincoln Children’s Zoo, Lincoln Children’s Museum, Nebraska Game & Parks Foundation and the City of Lincoln Parks & Recreation.

The Abel Foundation is happy to sponsor The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays at the Lied Center for Performing Arts this year as part of its support of the vitality of the Lincoln community.