Get to know the singing magician who will be performing in Brunswick
Russell Anderson, simply known as the singing illusionist (with a strong musical, theatrical, magical cabaret flair with an easily relatable character), is magically being reformed as the ‘Magical Showman,’ performing a variety of songs with magic.
The StarNews recently interviewed the artist in advance of his Performing Art Series at the Leland Cultural Arts Center.
How old were you when you became interested in magic? So I have had interest as a child, but magic actually scared me a little when I was a kid. I did not understand how some magicians could do the things they did. I really did not delve into it until I met Richard Sanders performing on cruise ships.
What college did you attend? Trident Technical College, Charleston, South Carolina
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Who helped you in your career? Raised by my fifth-grade teacher and his wife, Chuck and Judy Long, Chuck taught me how to sing. Chuck runs a Charleston Youth Company and I was in it. An opportunity came along … where I had to audition for a show choir, Chuck picked me up from my job at the car wash, and played the piano.
What is your act about? Stopping and pondering the question, Anderson said My show is ‘about’ my fun and crazy years as a variety entertainer. It is about the silliness that is me interacting with my wife and children as we go and grow through this craziness that we call life. It is about the old lady that said, ‘I haven’t been to a show that was this clean and funny since George Burns did vaudeville (no young person would have a clue about that) She did not even mention the magic. Then there are the kids that are dying to find out where the magic bunny went…never mind the appearing motorcycle. I love it. The bunny is funny. I tried to cut it once because a Vegas magician gave me trouble about using a bunny. My wife said that it was her favorite trick and that I could not cut it. From the smallest, silliest song and trick we do to the show stopper moments that have the biggest gasps that all combine as the ‘magic show memory’ that they take home.
Who is in your act? My son, 17-year-old Aidan, assists in the stage production.
What unique ability do you have? Singing. I worked aboard cruise ships for many years, starting as a production show variety performer. On luxury cruise liners is when I first combined my love for all things magical in my already established vocal cabaret show. But seeing the world was where I got my first ideas on combining magic and music, through years of performing on cruises, working with the circus (as singing magical ringmaster).
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Where have you performed and who have you performed with? Disney Cruises, Solid Gold Dancers' Choreographer Anita Mann, Legends in Concerts in Las Vegas, USO, Wayne Brady, The Tokens, and worked with John Goodman for HBO.
Want to go?
What? Singing magician Russell Anderson
When: 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 20
Where: Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way, Leland
Tickets: $15
Info: https://bit.ly/LelandPRCRtickets
Contact Cheryl Whitaker at 910-343-2004 or at Cheryl.Whitaker@StarNewsOnline.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Singing magician Russell Anderson performs at Leland Cultural Arts Center
