Alexander’s enthusiasm for all things magic bloomed at age 11 after attending a magic show with his granddad. His path was clear even then: Magic was his future.
Alexander rummaged through every book he could find on the subject, yet he had two major obstacles to overcome before performing in public: a speech impediment and dyslexia. He practiced in front of customers at his mother’s retail shoe store while trying to overcome his fears. The speech impediment took practice to overcome, he told The Epoch Times, but dyslexia never goes away. It only troubles him with the written word—numbers are perfectly clear. When you see some of his numerology performances, you can understand that his skill for numbers was never affected by his dyslexia. In fact, it seems to make him stronger as a skilled mathematician.
Making It in Show Business
At 18, Alexander struck out on his own, performing on cruise ships and for corporate events. Then he had a lucky break: He was invited to comedy legend Robin Williams’s home to perform for Thanksgiving dinner and was such a hit that Williams invited him to open for several of his shows.Alexander credits Williams for some of his onstage energy and perhaps a few of his comedic stylings. The Williams family carries on the traditional Thanksgiving dinner to this day and Alexander is always invited to perform.
While Alexander was performing at a private party, one of the guests, world-famous concert and music-promoter Bill Graham was impressed with Alexander’s act and asked him to begin performing backstage at many of his concerts to entertain the musicians and other invited guests, including at three Rolling Stones tours.
The Set-up and Performance
Attendees are ushered into the lounge at 5:30 p.m. to enjoy some of the delicious Moroccan food from the restaurant upstairs or just to enjoy one of the Moroccan-inspired beverages. While doing so, they watch Alexander perform his remarkable card tricks beside each table. Alexander says that it is rare for someone to figure out the tricks he performs.
The lounge pre-show gives Alexander a chance to acquaint himself with his attendees and select those most likely to work in his act. Much like a poker player will read a card game for signs of what is called a “tell”—does someone scratch his nose, cock his head a certain way, or squint his eyes when he picks up a good or bad card?—Alexander uses those same types of “tells” to read his audience.
An audience is absolutely necessary for a show, he says. Joshua Jay, a magician friend of Alexander’s, says, “If you are doing magic alone, you’re just practicing.”
The Magician’s Mission
Alexander believes that “magic is one of the few art forms that connects people of different ages, education, religion, nationalities, and socioeconomics; it is a universal language.”“I have spent my life creating a show that makes people laugh, fools people’s eyes and minds, makes them question reality, and touches hearts. I love the balancing act of engaging all the senses. It’s a show of sleight of hand, sleight of mind, and sleight of heart.”
One note: Although the ambience is pleasant, for safety’s sake, the lighting on the stairs needs to be improved. Other than that, the venue is comfortable and engaging with the spirit of the original speakeasy adding to the magic.
