Sometime in June, while doing some research regarding paranormal magic effects and illusions (I'm a magic hobbyist), I came across Brian's site. Those that know me also know how much I enjoy a well designed website. Brian's site was full of great information, videos, photos, etc,. One thing that really stuck out was Brushwood's paranormal slant to his magic and the finale of the show known as the EVP Illusion. Like a typical magician that's accidently fallen into some Tim Burton woodchipper, Brushwood's angle on magic was a breath of fresh air. In August, I'd received word that Brian would be performing at Halloween Horror Nights!
Sitting in the Animal Planet Live stage, my friends seemed a little skeptical about this whole 'let's go see the magician' mission I was on. They weren't all that excited and their excitement waned when the opening act came out.
The opening act were three muscle-bound gymnasts performing strength-balancing feats using one another for ballast. These three performers, for as cool as some of their positions were, had about as much character as a bag of carrots. No smiles, no thankyou, no greeting, no interaction with the audience (my biggest peeve EVER) at all except a request for applause. As they walked off, I turned to realize that my friends were staring at me with a 'this better be good'.
Brian energetically hit the stage performing something called the Human Crazy Straw. Placing a large water cooler bottle with a spigot atop a six-foot ladder, Brian began mixing together water, milk, Pepsi (it's a Universal Park people) and orange juice into the container. Brian proceeded to wrap a long, clear tube around his body. Much to the joyous disgust of the audience one end of the tube was attached to the spigot and the other end was inserted into his nose and pulled out through his sinus and into his mouth. Brushwood then placed a small paper cup on the floor a couple feet away, turned the spigot on the jug letting the disgusting liquid gravity-feed itself throughout the tube (you could visibly see it happening), into his nose, out his mouth and finally into the cup.
After the audience's own mixture of semi-vomiting and applause, Brian quickly introduced himself. Quickly moving on, Brian proceeded to find a couple of volunteers from the audience for his next effect.
Both volunteers are handed microphones. One is handed a box containing a small nail while the other spectator is told to run a play-by-play commentary about what is taking place (for knowledgeable magicians, you'll realize this is Paul Harris' brilliant presentation for the PDQ coins across effect he performs). Brushwood then proceeds to insert the nail into his right eye, through his sinus cavity and finally out of his right eye! It's a great way to get the audience involved even if they can't get close like the people on stage. His volunteers reactions are great when they suddenly realize what's taking place.
Brian moved into his next effect which I just can't seem to say enough about only because of his brilliant angle of presentation for what's become and old and tired effect (Kevin James performed this old and tired style while he was at HHN and I had to stop watching all the people around me yawn). Simply known, in layman's terms, as putting a skewer through your tongue, Brian's presentation builds to a gross, yet funny climax. Again Brushwood uses a volunteer from the audience whose reactions to everything make it even funnier. Because I know certain magicians read this blog, I won't go into details about the presentation. Most magicians tend to adhere to the rule 'monkey see, monkey do'. Magicians should try to see him to understand how unique, intelligent presentation can take something simple like this effect and turn it into a highly entertaining showpiece.
Next up? One of my favorite pieces of his show and something that I heard people talking about during our little jaunt through the park. Actually it's not a something....it's a someone...sort of.
Brian talks about wanting to enter the always lucrative market of children's birthday parties. Explaining that he has created a new routine just for children, he'd like to know if we'd like to see it. At this point you just HAVE to know how this odd magician's tastes could skewer that staple of Americana, the children's birthday party. Brushwood shifts into children's magician mode and asks if we'd wake up his little friend in a box resembling a MickeyD's HappyMeal package, Mr. HappyPants! On the count of three everyone says 'Hi, Mr. HappyPants!' Out from the box with a voice reminiscent of Regan's Satan-possessed tween carcass comes the voice of Mr. HappyPants...'Greetings mortals!' HappyPants resembles something like a satanic version of the hamburger helper glove after all the cuteness had been sucked from it's giggling little cartoonish body. It's an hysterical piece and one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time. I won't go into detail here (you really have to see it for yourself and I'd hate to spoil the shenanigans involved). But let's just say that Mr. HappyPants is a hand puppet, there's a long needle involved and the effect is based on something simply called needle-thru-hand. My friends (being Disney puppeteers) completely LOVED it!
For his finale, Brushwood's EVP Illusion is something you just have to experience yourself. When the effect is over let's just say you'll have an experience that will make you amazed, spooked, insanely shocked and walk away with a story and a permanent souvenir that's much cooler than any of the horribly designed t-shirts, cups or crap for purchase at this year's event.
EVP Teaser Trailer
Brian's approach to magic is refreshing. If I could only tell you how many times I've seen the same old effect taken off the same old shelf at the same old magic shop performed using the same old instructions. Above all, his creativity to his presentations, his handling of volunteers and his interaction with the audience is exceptional.
Now if we could only get all the magicians out there (I'm looking at you, Mr. Kevin James) to put on a show with the energy, professionalism and interaction Brushwood's show does, magic would be perceived in a much better light than the dim one it currently shares with balloon animals and mimes.
Take care,
Tijuana Taxi
If you're interested in learning more about Brian and Mr. HappyPants, check out the links below:
Brian Brushwood's Official Site
Brian's MySpace Profile
Mr HappyPants MySpace Profile
Tags: Brian Brushwood HHN 2007 Halloween Horror Nights Magician Illusion EVP Magi
