Magician earns top honors in global competitions

Magician Ivan Amodei Ivan Amodei’s clever moves have awed some of the most critical crowds.

The professional magician recently won two of the largest magic contests in the world.

“Rarely does one win both and I’m excited that I somehow managed to do that,” Amodei said.

In June, Amodei, a Somis resident and business owner in Moorpark, won the I n t e r n a t i o n a l Brotherhood of Magicians close-up contest in Reno, Nev. Thirty magicians from around the world competed.

A week later, Amodei earned first place at the Society of American Magicians close-up contest in Boston, Mass., as well as the judges highest point award and the Brad Jacobs Peoples Choice Award. He competed with over 100 pre-selected magicians.

The 39-year-old magician has been entertaining for about 30 years, including regular performances at the Magic Castle in Hollywood.

He is quietly becoming the top performer in the highest magic circles, said Shawn McMaster, a fellow magician and associate editor of Magic Magazine, a trade publication that will feature Amodei in October.

Despite this publicity, Amodei remains modest about his accomplishments. McMaster described the magician as “not the over(ly)-egotistical type.”

Amodei started to perform magic tricks when he was five and living in Brooklyn, NY, inspired by a family friend who was doing magic to pass the time.

The boy was intrigued and wanted to be more than just a spectator. “I loved the idea of doing impossible-looking things and also loved that I had goals to work towards,” Amodei said.

When he was introduced to sleight-of-hand at age 11, Amodei became fascinated with close-up illusion, realizing one can accomplish wonders with ordinary objects. “No longer did I need gimmicked decks or boxes to do great magic,” he said.

Amodei’s magical career began at age 12 when he was hired to host a neighbor’s birthday party. He continued to perform anywhere for anyone who would sit still and let him do magic. “I think that if I was left on the moon, I’d be picking up rocks and doing magic with them,” he said.

Amodei eventually arrived at the Magic Castle through a friend’s recommendation. “I never pushed to perform there, but patiently refined the act for over 15 years,” he said, adding when he was asked to perform, he had been ready for over 10 years.

Aside from magic tricks, Amodei’s shows also include stand-up comedy, but there’s always room for new ideas and the old tricks can be refined, he said.

“I strive to make all my magic not only really magical, where audiences walk away completely blown away with what they just saw, but also making it really fun to watch and entertaining,” Amodei said. . Although illusionist David Blane is better known among the public for increasing awareness of close-up magic through his television performances, Amodei is more talented and technically much more polished, said McMaster, a Newbury Park resident.

Throughout his career, Amodei has performed for many celebrities, including former President George Bush Sr. He puts on about 150 to 200 shows per year.

“All my magic is tested and re-tested in front of real audiences,” said Amodei, adding the frequent performances have enabled him to develop his sleightof-hand into an entertaining routine.

“It’s always a treat to watch him perform close-up magic,” said Jethro Alcuaz, an Azusa resident and magician member of the Magic Castle. “Amodei knows how to entertain everyone, magicians and lay people.”

When he’s not performing, Amodei manages his business, Eclipse Printing and Design. He lives with his wife Jennifer.