Natural Law Party. I couldn't help myself. Magic, he says, is an opportunity to experience a deception without actually being threatened.. Stay tuned to Playbill as Broadway gets ready to reveal its top honors. What we want, instead, is to sign what Steinmeyer calls a mysterious pact between a performer and the audience. We want to be in the midst of that credulous, shrieking crowd at the Magic Castle. He never has, its possible he never will, and this doesnt bother him in the least. This story has been shared 141,467 times. The lock-picking bandit looks at the closed safe with a pair of field glasses and disappears. People Weekly. Hed been polite, but wary. People always say afterwards, I had no idea the performances were going to be so strong.. Before long, he developed what was known as a medicine pitch act, in which he played an old-timey snake-oil salesman and incorporated tricks into demonstrating his various cures. He was also the first to re-attempt Harry Houdinis dangerous 1912 Water Torture Cell, in which the magician, restrained at the feet, escaped after being lowered into a glass tank of water. He is from Canada. I nod. Only when I press does he finally relent. So we went somewhere and talked a long, long time, and I remember having this powerful feeling of recognition. "I proposed to her four days later, Doug said, I made a diamond appear in a rose petal and it rolled out into her hand." I mention this to Steinmeyer on the drive backhed been in his meeting for the durationand he nods. In 1992, he announced that he and the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a spiritual adviser, would build a $1.5 billion theme park near Niagara Falls, Ontario. How a Legendary Magician Builds the World's Greatest Illusions. He was 52. I had never felt anything like it in my whole life. The dazzler was Debby Douillard, 27, an abstract painter with bottomless blue eyes who was, In doing some online research I came across this fascinating article from the December 20, 1982 issue of People magazine. That led to his role in The Magic Show. Henning was also a disciple of transcendental meditation and its leader, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The people are so pure. The SIX: The Musical star originated the role of Chiffon in the current revival at the Westside Theatre. He earned a Best Featured Actor (Musical) nomination for his work in the conceptual tuner, The Magic Show, in the 1974-75 season. Over in the larger Parlor of Prestidigitation, Bill Abbott presents a mashup of puppetry and magic featuring a lustful monkey. As we walk through his home, posters of great magicians past stand guard along the walls. Only when Steinmeyer finishes speaking do I realize weve barely moved from my starting point. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. I remember thinking that was a really good idea, but I had no use for it at the time, Steinmeyer says. "I had never felt anything like it in my life. Steinmeyer has invented card tricks and box tricks and levitation tricks and ESP tricks and every other imaginable kind of theatrical deception, then some you couldnt imagine, and all this for the biggest names in entertainment, including Orson Welles, Siegfried & Roy, Doug Henning, and Ricky Jay. The space is shrine to the history and craft of stage magic. But what Steinmeyer intends to unpack for me is uncertain. Encouraged students of magic to make their own props and equipment, and not rely on ready-made magic kits. This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. This page was last modified on 15 February 2021, at 11:24. No one is sneaking a look at their phone, and no one resists the timeless astonishment that has come from magic audiences for decades, from Charles Morritt to today. Its a time capsule, everything analog, and the audience arrives with a roiling, tipsy energy. Debby became Doug's assistant, appearing as a singer and dancer, as well as designing all of the costumes, for Merlin and on tour. It was a box-office success during its two-week run at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1973. Henning died Monday in Los Angeles, his business office in Toronto said. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? Its also, The date was October 9th, 1985. Hes a large man, around six feet tall, sturdily built. So I press: But theres no room for her to., He smiles and shrugs as if to say, What more do you expect? I ask where his ideas come from. Thats when I became interested in stage magic, Steinmeyer says. Andrew Gans David Howard has written for many national publications and is the author of two nonfiction books, most recently Chasing Phil: The Adventures of Two Undercover Agents with the World's Most Charming Con Man. The New York Times, in fact, labeled Steinmeyer theaters celebrated invisible man.. People call out to performers, laugh, slap shoulders, and scream with surprise and wonder. He was always pleasantly surprised by the reception, Nancy says. Doug Debby met Doug Henning at a charity benefit at the Transcendental Doug Henning, a Superstar Of Illusion, Is Dead at 52 Cause of death: cancer. My last day hanging around with him, I ask Steinmeyer straight up: How does the sawing-in-half trick work? Its become like, lets talk about magic as a puzzle. Doug Henning hippie magician television tv Published by travsd Writer and performer Trav S.D. But even given Steinmeyers relative anonymity compared with the Cooperfields and Blaines of the world, magic as a whole exists now in the age of YouTube. As well, Debby starred in several summer theater musicals (including Fiddler on the Roof and Applause) and studied mime, jazz dance and singing. WebThe magician Doug Henning died at the age of 52. He is survived by his wife and former assistant, Debby. Audiences should recognize the magic about to be performed. With a curly mane of hair and a near-constant grin, Mr. Henning was one of the most famous illusionists in the world during the 1970's and early 80's, appearing in three Broadway shows and a dozen television specials. Magic renews that wonder.. Doug Henning's Death - Cause and Steinmeyer keeps his secrets out of reach as hours of conversation unfold. It was supposed to last six months; Steinmeyer kept the gig seven years before moving on to Disney Imagineering. With his long, wavy locks, walrus moustache, colourful outfits, and perky new-age demeanour, he cut quite a contrast from the vaguely sinister tuxedo-clad, top-hatted magicians that previously ruled the field. Broadway. Reworked and retitled The Magic Show, it opened in 1974 at the Cort Theatre and enjoyed a four-year-run. December 20, 1982, pages 70-72. ), Matthew Lawrence says his agency dropped him after he refused to strip for director, Ed Sheeran blasts music expert for criminal testimony in Marvin Gaye copyright trial, Roman Polanski and the woman he pleaded guilty to raping pose together 45 years later, Paul Stanley of KISS dives into debate over transgender acceptance versus kids transitioning, Has the Justin Timberlake Its Gonna Be May meme passed its expiration date? Where was it taken you ask? When Steinmeyer was 13, his father died, leading to what he describes as a hell of a year. As the family wrestled with grief, his mother encouraged him to attend a magic convention in Michigan with his friends, to plug into something that might distract or excite him. Debby Douillard (6 December1981 - 7 February2000)( his death), Barbara De Angelis (20 December1977 - 1981)( divorced). When the safe is opened, the list matches up, item for item. There are 24 notebooks, 100 pages each. People who have been sawn in half - IMDb In each show, his illusions became increasingly complex. His wife is Debby Douillard (6 December 1981 - 7 February 2000) ( his death), Barbara De Angelis (20 December 1977 - 1981) ( divorced) Doug Rene Clement wrote: I remeber years ago they did a dueling magicians parody supposedly Henning vs. Copperfield. I definitely owe a big chunk of my career to Jim, he says. In the Magic Castles showcase room, the Palace of Mystery, Greg Otto performs a comedy-laden routine (When a heckler pipes up, Otto looks toward the crowd and replies, I thought I told you to stay in the truck.) before Kyle and Mistie Knight deliver a classic big-stage performance heavy on audience participation. Steinmeyer shows them to no one. (December 6, 1981 - February 7, 2000) (his death), View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. '', After his success with ''The Magic Show'' and on television, Mr. Henning returned to Broadway twice, in the 1983 musical ''Merlin,'' and in a 1984 solo show, ''Doug Henning and His World of Magic.''. Also sported long hair and a long bushy moustache. People Magazine Interview: Part Two Henning went to India for a time to work with the maharishi, telling The Times by telephone in 1988: It was the fulfillment of my career to do this. Magician Doug Henning, who popularized magic and illusion on Broadway in such shows as The Magic Show, which earned him a Tony Award nomination, died of liver cancer in Los Angeles Feb. 7. His answer, at first, is that he doesnt really like the question. With Ivan Reitman, a university classmate, Henning conjured Spellbound, a musical magic show, written by David Cronenberg and with music by Howard Shore. Discover Doug Henning's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. , money, salary, income, and assets. As is customary for first-time guests, Im given the password that, when spoken aloud, opens the hidden door into the castle. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Neil McNally and The Doug Henning Project with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. The interview is notable for two reasons. In the trick, which Mr. Henning performed in Broadway theaters, on television and even on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, his assistant was handcuffed and tied in a sack. It was that performance with that guy. ''When I was in college, being a magician was not the classiest thing to be,'' he said. Debby Henning was the wife, assistant, business partner and muse to illusionist Doug Henning. He treasures the wonder that comes with being fooled in an artful way. WebHis real name: Birth name of Doug Henning is Douglas James Henning Is Doug Henning still alive? Taking its name from basketball star LeBron James, the work comes to New York after runs at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Center Theatre Group. Henning spent his final years working with the Maharishi to build a meditation theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario. We have estimated For one it was written as Merlin wasjust about toopen on Broadway, and the other being that it delves into Dougs new marriage to Debby Douillard (Henning) and the, I love this vintage 1986 commercial not only for its obvious camp value, but for the fact that it gives you a glimpse into Dougs touring productions and promotions. Biography - A Short Wiki. rights reserved. Despite his absence from the scene, the monthly Magic Magazine reported last July that Mr. Henning had been sighted at several magic stores around the country. He was a writer and actor, known for The Magic Show (1983), World of Magic (1977) and Doug Henning's World of Magic (1976). He was 52 and lived in Los Angeles. Built in 1909, the building is a shambling maze, a classic chateau-themed manor with narrow passages, branching wings, antique banisters and Tiffany stained glass windows. He also dabbled in politics. He crisscrossed the country with his show and returned to Broadway in the 1980s with Merlin, which was nominated for five Tony awards, and Doug Hennings World of Magic.. Steinmeyer allows that historically, the trick is that the woman pulls her knees up to her chest when the sawing happens. Though one critic hailed him, After Falling Under the Spell of Wife Debby, Doug Henning Hopes to Charm Broadway Again (Part.2) My friends said there was practically a flash of light, says Henning, 35. Thats really what this is. I think Rich Hall played the Doug Henning part in that skit. I was a 13-year-old kid who just lost a father And it was like another door opening on an interest I already had, and opening in some bigger, grander way., In the following years, Steinmeyer dropped his own act; what he really loved, he realized, was conceiving ambitious illusionsthe flashbulb of an idea popping inside his head, the mental calisthenics of how it might work, the sketching and spitballing. Henning spent his final years working with the Maharishi to build a meditation theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario. knew I did Magic as an Ad-Vocation and had me go over to the United Kingdom Unit to asst Doug the day he was there - Don't exactly remember what he did -though did remember Doug was like a Big Kid. He launches into a commentary about how people dont just receive entertainment anymorethey see it as a challenge. Henning died TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Logan Culwell-Block Doug Henning was born on May 3, 1947 in Fort Garry, Manitoba, Canada as Douglas James Henning. I asked one of his crew after the show if I might meet Doug and get his autograph. (Check out the Toronto Magic Companys work with the citys budding magicians), It was 1975, and 50 million viewers tuned in to watch the stunt on live television unheard of today, says Henning expert Neil McNally. Moments later, a telegram arrives for Morritt. Email Magician Doug Henning a favorite of TV, Broadway and arena audiences died Monday in Los Angeles after battling liver cancer for the past five months. Copyright 1991-2023 Playbill Inc. All Rights Reserved. May 2, 2023, By For one it was written as Merlin was just about to open on Broadway, and the other being that it delves into Dougs new Our website is made possible bydisplaying online advertisements to our visitors. Shackled hand and foot and encased underwater in a steel canister, he broke free in under a minute, emerging wet and beaming. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Woman has 'loud, full body orgasm' in the middle of LA concert, All the red carpet highlights and star-studded fashionfrom the Karl Lagerfeld-themed Met Gala, Bride killed, groom seriously hurt by drunk driver just minutes after leaving reception, Bodies of two missing teen girls and a registered sex offender among seven people found dead on Oklahoma property, The best-dressed celebs at the 2023 Met Gala: Rihanna, Gisele Bndchen, more, Kim Kardashians Met Gala 2023 look sparks comparisons to Playboy cover, Kim Kardashian, Pete Davidson reunite at Met Gala 9 months after breakup, Katy Perry will be temporarily replaced on 'American Idol' amid drama. His wife, Deborah, was at his side, Reuters reported. He married Debby Douillard in 1981. He was 52. The parks is linked to Indian spiritual leader Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation. May 1, 2023. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact Us. Doug Henning, the ebullient, shaggy-headed magician who sparked a renewed interest in the craft and breathed new life into some of history's most famous illusions, died on Monday in Los Angeles.