ifestyle The Face of Magic

An Interview with Steve Cohen, Chamber Magic Steve Cohen entertaining late night television host David Letterman

How did your work with magic evolve? country have lost the sensibility to dress up for I have been doing magic since I was a child events – the theater in particular is no longer re- and always had dreams of performing profession- spected as it once was. I think that dressing up for ally. The style most appealing to me is a genre my show makes guests feel that they’re part of known as “parlor magic,” an interactive, sophisti- something special in . cated subset of stage magic, usually performed in Is it important to continue to innovate in an intimate space. this space? After graduating from , I have presented this show over 3,000 times, I lived in Japan for several years. I hit upon the and it has certainly evolved over many years. What idea to recreate a magic parlor or “salon,” which I try to do is pare it down to its absolute minimum. prompted me to return to New York City to pursue Every moment serves a purpose – I’m trying to craft my dream. the perfect show. I chose New York City because this is where How does it remain so fresh for you after modern day royalty lives. In the Victorian era, a 3,000 shows? Steve Cohen magician might have been called in to perform at I have an obligation to people who are coming a king’s residence in London or in Paris. New York to see me – they have paid money to see this show EDITORS’ NOTE Steve Cohen, The Millionaires’ City called out to me because artisans, intellectuals, that they have heard so much about. They may have Magician, has delighted and mystifi ed audiences and modern-day nobility live here. In my mind, had to wait a year to see me. In many cases, they all over the world. His long-running weekly show, there is a built-in audience here for this type of are coming for a celebration. People come from all Chamber Magic, presented in an elegant suite at the sophisticated and cerebral entertainment. over the world because they heard about the show legendary Waldorf Astoria hotel, is consistently re- Initially, I performed the show at a friend’s in their home countries. At this point, the show is viewed as one of New York’s best kept secrets and apartment in Greenwich Village. I later moved it to no longer about me and my own needs – it’s about must-see theatrical events. His audiences, now to- The National Arts Club in Gramercy Park for a few giving my audiences the gift of magic. taling more than 300,000 guests, include a who’s months. The Waldorf Astoria hotel option became What drives me now is knowing that these who of celebrities, royalty, and other notables such available in 2001, and I have since been presenting the people expect something great and I have the ex- as Woody Allen, William Goldman, , show there every weekend for the past 13 years. perience and skills to give it to them. David Rockefeller, and the Queen of Morocco. It was a struggle to get people in the door Is a career in magic drawing interest and The laws of physics are suspended when Steve at fi rst but fortune struck when an online blogger is it important for you to cultivate that next Cohen is in the room. His performances include wrote an article about my show – that single write- generation of leaders in this fi eld? mind reading, telekinesis, conjuring, acrobatic up sold a solid year’s worth of tickets. I spend a lot of time after my shows with young card tricks, and an assortment of baffl ing physical The show really took off once I started receiv- magicians who have come to visit. Sometimes, they tricks that include stopping his own pulse. ing media coverage. Then CBS Sunday Morning will show me a routine that they have been practic- At age six, Cohen learned his fi rst magic trick did a television segment on me and that pushed ing, and I will give them pointers and send them in from his uncle, who had been inspired by Houdini. everything over the edge. Over the course of two the direction of resources they should learn from. At age 10, during his fi rst public show, he made days after that show aired, we sold so many tickets This is another part of what keeps me moti- a dove disappear at a friend’s birthday party. Fast that I had to start adding more shows. vated at my shows: knowing there are people com- forward to 2012 and he is the star of both Lost At the moment, I present 250 shows a year at ing to see this magic show who might be inspired Magic Decoded, a two-hour special on the History the Waldorf Astoria and it is sold out a month or to learn magic themselves. So if I’m representing Channel, and Theater of Wonder, a sold-out solo two ahead of time. I feel like one of the luckiest magic, I have to do a good job of being the face of show at Carnegie Hall. men in the world since I’m now living my dream. magic as an art form. Cohen’s work has been featured onCBS Sunday How important is it that the show main- Most of the top magicians in the world have Morning, CNN, and Late Night with David Letterman tains an intimate feel? come to see me – these leaders in the fi eld are mak- and has been profi led in numerous publications I performed on the smallest stage at Carnegie ing a special effort to come to the Waldorf to see including , Forbes, and The Hall last year and I made it work. However, there is my show. It’s satisfying to have such strong support Sunday Times in London. nothing like the intimacy you can create in a much from my peers within the business. Cohen earned a psychology degree from cozier space, like my suite in the Waldorf Towers. Do you appreciate and refl ect on all you Cornell University and studied at The Waldorf Towers houses such magnifi - have accomplished? in Tokyo. He holds the esteemed rank of Member cent history. I have performed there for royalty, At each show, I verbally thank the audience of The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, awarded billionaires, and A-list celebrities. If you sit down at for coming. Specifi cally, I say, “I feel like I’m one by The Magic Circle in London. His fi rst book, Win Chamber Magic, you never know who you might of the luckiest men in the world because you have the Crowd (HarperCollins), in which he explores sit next to. The dress code – defi ned as cocktail at- enabled me to live out my childhood dream.” I say the power of suggestion and how it can help people tire – also gives people a unique experience be- this not to draw sympathy but to express my grati- in their everyday lives, has been published in seven cause they must plan for the magic show before tude with genuine honesty. I don’t take anything languages. they even leave the house. Many people in our for granted.• 252 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2013 LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. VOLUME 36, NUMBER 4