In the News
News, Articles, and Photos featuring Shazam Magic
Young magicians entertain at parties, special events
Photo and article by Ed Waters, Jr.
Frederick News-Post Business Editor
MONROVIA - While many students are spending the summer mowing lawns or working in shops, or perhaps just doing nothing, one Monrovia teenager is keeping busy entertaining people with his magic business.
Peter Wood operates Shazam Magic, a combination magic and comedy show, that has been entertaining children and adults in the tri-state area for six years.
Peter said he began doing magic tricks at age 7 and in 1994, when he was 10, launched Shazam Magic doing paid shows.
Gregg Schinner joined him in 1995 as an assistant.
"I've done a lot of birthday parties, a political convention in Crystal City, Va., a retirement party fthe Frederick County Retiring Teachers Association, and other things,” Peter said.
He uses a white rabbit names Merlin for some of his tricks, as well as cards, smoke, mild explosions, and some extra tricks such as a head twister that appears as if his head is being turned completely around. He also makes balloon animals and swords for children at the show.
Most of the shows are 30- to 45-minutes, depending on what the customer wants, with the rabbit tricks and balloons extra, at $1 per balloon. He also gives “magician's assistant” award certificates to children who help him with a trick.
Although he has taken two magic classes, most of what he learned has been self-taught. A friend has lent him many books and videos on magic and his father bought a lot of items at the estate auction of a magician.
"We used to have a show called Magical Mayhem where everything went wrong, intentionally,” said Peter.
Originally published in The Frederick News Post, July 23, 1999