Meet Anthony

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Dawn and I have been a magic team for 21 years now. In the beginning, it was so much fun when the phone would ring and we would take a booking. Dawn originally told me that she would promote the Magic, and it was like building an ice sculpture. We would chip away and chip away, and one day, it would be a beautiful swan. There are so many ways to perform magic, and we have tried each and every single one of them from school assemblies, to theatres, corporate shows, birthday parties, fairs, libraries, and cruise ships.

We got into a really great groove for about 10 years from 2009 – 2020 where we performed at the same venues weekly on different nights of the week. Life was pretty good because we always knew when we would have a day off, when we would work, when our assistants would work. Our shows were like our children. We would get new Illusions for the Welk show and run them for an entire year, then they would go to Castle Amusement Park the next year, then to the Marriotts, and finally to Tom’s Farms. By the time the illusions had rotated to each venue for a full year, it was either time to sell them if we felt we had outgrown them, or re-work them back into the show. We had a great work and life balance.

We found our niche performing comedy and illusion at the Welk Resort Theatre where we performed every Wednesday night for 16 years until 2020. We were very lucky we were able to try new illusions, music, costumes, and really find our groove there. During the pandemic the Welk family sold all of their properties to Hyatt Hotels. Not a problem, we work with Hyatt, but we just don’t work every Wednesday night. The shows are sporadic, and based on how many reservations the resort has for a specific week.

The pandemic was the blessing and the curse. We had to once again pivot, and find other ways to showcase our illusion show. We discovered stages from California to Texas and Arizona where we could perform “one off” shows for guests who had never seen our act before. Dawn and I had to re-work the entire show. Instead of having a sound and light crew who knew our cues and worked with us weekly, we were performing for a new venue each and every night. Dawn runs all the sound and lights with remote controls that never leave her hands, which is pretty remarkable. I had to accept restructuring the show in order for her to go backstage and get the next prop ready, put the last prop away, change costumes, and then come back onstage without looking rushed or stressed.

This also meant we had to put a few illusions away that require more than one assistant to perform and to load in.

The work and life balance is a little out of whack as this moment . We have had adjust to a constant flow of different clients to deal with each week, different papework requests, different phone calls to field, and different shows always being loaded in and out of the the trailer depending on where we are performing each day. With the new schedule of shows that in a different location daily, we are beginning to realize we can’t book every day with the the turn around, travel requirements, and other strange demands that come with not really knowing the venue you are performing each night.

We have made it a priority to pencil out days where we just stay at home and sleep in and rest, and then days where we go and do something fun. Being a creative means you are often your own business manager, marketing person, graphic designer, costumer, stage hand, sound person, and pet wrangler. It’s a fun job, but it’s a job!!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One of the hardest things to do in any art form, is to find your own voice. When you are a kid and you see a magic trick, you want that trick. The magician who performs his own tricks usually sells them with instructions on how to perform them. It is easy to buy a trick and do the patter word for word to perform for your friends and family. The hard part is to take that trick and make it your own.

Many of our tricks, illusions, and jokes are our own. Sometimes they come organically during a show, and sometimes we will watch a movie and think to ourselves…this would be good music for this trick, or a good joke for that trick.

My reputation today is pretty good in regard to my originality, my authenticity, and the ability to be in the moment with a live audience. That didn’t come easy. That is from years and years of being onstage, being in the moment, and then after the show going, “we should have done or said this” and putting it in your back pocket for the next time. I have also learned from watching other artists, whether they be actors or musicians or magicians. When I am not performing I will watch and support from other performers. No matter how small or large their show is, I always take away a golden nugget.

My show is constantly evolving. I have people who used to come with their kids to see me at an amusement park who come and see me now. The biggest compliment is that it was always entertaining, but they are so excited to see the performer I have turned into now.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, most people who go to Los Angeles would like to go to the Magic Castle. This is a member’s only venue and you must be invited in by a member. If you get this opportunity, do take it.

The Garment District is also fun if you want to get fabrics, crystals, shoes, stones, and deals this is the place to go.

Melrose Avenue is awesome for higher end clothing. It is not a rare occurence to see a celebrity shopping on Melrose.

The Groundlings Improv studio is not far from Melrose and their long running “Cooking with Gas” all improv show is a crowd favorite. Get your tickets early as it is a small theatre. Celebrities such as Lisa Kudrow, Kristin Wig, and Cheryl Hines came up through the Groundlings.

Food in Los Angeles is always exciting. I would definitely hit Canters Deli for breakfast and Yamishiros Hollywood for the food and the view.

If you can take a drive to Palm Desert, visit one of the many spas and resorts that have the natural spring healing waters.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My girlfriend and partner of 20 years is my biggest support system. No one tells her “no”, and she always makes sure the task is handed. In fact, she booked my first shows for me because she knew a group of magicians had told me I couldn’t perform with them because I wasn’t a “performing member of the Hollywood Magic Castle”.
She immediately called the Entertainment Director of the Magic Castle and asked what type of video he would like to see, short clips or a full video? By the time she hung up the phone, I was booked at the Magic Castle…no video needed.

I always encourage kids to get to their local library and check out books on the subject they are interested in. My City Library had two magic books. They were constantly checked out to me. At 12 years old I was worried that someone else may learn the magic secrets, and that may eventually put me out of a job.

Website: https://www.anthonythemagic.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/anthonythemagic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonythemagic/

Twitter: https://x.com/anthonythemagic

Facebook: https://facebook.com/anthonythemagic

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/anthony-the-magic-riverside

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnthonyHernandezIllusions

Image Credits
Poster: Andy Amyx and Diana Lawrence
Headshot: Jon Abeyta