#michael chaut

Michael Chaut is one of the co-producers of Monday Night Magic in New York City. After 25 years, it is the longest running magic show in NYC. In this week’s episode, Michael shares the history of Monday Night Magic along with a brief history of some of the other magic venues and performers during the 20th century in NYC.

2019 Convention Schedule - Monday August 5, 2019

9:00 a.m. Registration (Kiosk) until 6:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m. General Session for WHITE lanyards (Showroom) until 12:15 p.m.

10:00 a.m. Focus Sessions for BLUE lanyards until 11:00 a.m.

Fool Them! (Dauphine B)

Rounders (Bienville G)

Fred Kaps: Seeing is Believing (Esplanade L)

11:00 a.m. The Magic Shop (Mardi Gras) until 6:00 p.m.

11:15 a.m. Focus Sessions for BLUE lanyards until 12:15 p.m. (see Focus Session, 10:00 a.m.)

12:30 p.m. Close-up Experience (Bienville H) until 1:45 p.m.

2:15 p.m. - General Session for BLUE lanyards (Showroom) until 4:30 p.m.

2:15 p.m Focus Sessions for WHITE lanyards until 3:15 p.m. (see Focus Session, 10:00 a.m.)

3:30 p.m. Focus Sessions for WHITE lanyards until 4:30 p.m. (see Focus Session, 10:00 a.m.)

Live Tonight!

6:00, 8:00, 10:15 p.m. - The Very Strange Monday Night Show, 60 min. (Showroom)

6:00, 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 p.m. - Close-up Experience, 75 min. (Bienville H)

6:00, 7:45, 9:30 p.m. - Little Big Show, 60 min. (Esplanade M)

Time Stamps for this podcast:

00:00:17 - Doug McCoy and Scott Wells recap last night’s party plus a look at today’s activities

00:11:45 - Nancy Anderson

00:12:55 - Steve Gore worked at the Magic Castle last week and this is his first MAGIC Live! We are also joined by Jeffrey Fein

00:20:15 - Dana Daniels talks about working at Warren & Annabelle’s in Hawaii

00:30:58 - Michael Chaut talks about Monday Night Magic and its 22 year history

00:37:05 - Nick Altieri talks about this being his first MAGIC Live!

00:40:26 - Paul Draper

00:44:58 - Bruce Gold talks about his talk show “The Bruce Gold Show” television talk show

Stan Allen opened the conference with the keynote speech that set the tone for the convention. His one word this year: curiosity. The morning session was a variety of outstanding presentations but the highlight everyone was waiting for was David Copperfield "In His Own Words". He was genuine, humble and charismatic and enjoyed by all. He admitted some of his failures and talked about continuing to work on projects and being forever committed to excellence and tweaking effects to make them perfect. He also discussed his disgust for those who steal from creators.

The afternoon sessions (for my colored badge) included Ian Rowland on mentalism (his third appearance at MAGIC Live!), Joel Bauer talking about trade shows, and Steve Valentine talking about variations of Cards to Pocket.

The evening show was outstanding hosted by Jorge Bass and opened with one of my favorite acts, Charlie Frye & Company. It concluded with not one or two, but three illusionists: Nathan Burton, Mike Michaels and Greg Gleason.

My evening rounded out with the 11:00 close-up chow.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:26 - Host Stan Allen explains the theme of this year's convention.

00:07:26 - Jamie D. Grant talks a bit about the show he just finished presenting on the memorized deck

00:08:50 - Michael Chaut, producer of Monday Night Magic talks a bit about his 18 year run at producing the show. We are intermittently joined by several people who are passing through the casino near the entrance of the theater.

00:22:00 - Simon Coronel was the master of ceremonies for the morning session and he talks a bit about not scripting his show.

00:28:55 - Shep Hyken and Seth Kramer talk about MAGIC Live!

00:41:16 - Bill Cook talks about performing on "Penn & Teller Fool Us" and "Wizard Wars".