Local magician Robin Pedranti will be performing Friday, August 3, 2012 at the Golden Chain Theater. The Magic Show is a benefit for the Boys & Girls Club of Oakhurst, and will feature special performances by member kids from the Club.
Robin Pedranti may be young, just 18 years old, but his skill and charisma make him one of the most sought-after magical entertainers in California.
Born in Sweden, he has been to, and lived in many different countries, including France, Spain, Germany, and Wales.
Pedranti was just 11 years old when he saw a magician at a magic booth in the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and was instantly hooked. He began trying out his skills on anyone who would pay attention.
“My first audiences were generally my parents until I got good enough to actually share it with other people. My first magic trick was a simple ‘pick-a-card’ type trick. It was simple, and not something I do in my professional performances anymore, but it was a great starting point and was really my first success with magic.”
Inspired by his modest success with friends and family, Pedranti moved on to a bit larger audiences.
“I did this show at an elementary school one time. After the show I came out into the audience to meet with all the kids like I do after every show. There was one kid in particular that was just so amazed. He came up to me and gave me a hug saying that I was the best magician he had ever seen.
“About a week later, I ran into him and his mom at a local pizza parlor and once again, he came up to me and told me how amazed he was after the show. His mom told me that he had talked about my performance non stop for the past few weeks. That right there told me that this was for me. Seeing the smile on that kid’s face was priceless.”
He landed his first paid performance when he was 13 years old. “I did a birthday party for my cousin. I was paid $25 and in that instant I knew that if I could make money by doing what I loved, this is what I wanted to do with my life.
Pedranti started out being self-taught. He read books and referenced other material designed for magicians and did everything pretty much by himself. However as he gained experience (and age) he met more and more magicians along the way.
“Magicians in general are a very helpful group of people. We look out for each other. I know and stay in contact with many different magicians all around the country and the world that are more than willing to help me out whenever I need it, and I of course return the favor. Magicians are connected by a very vast network in which we do everything we can to advance the art of magic as a whole.”
Pedranti loves all kinds of magic, but stage magic is his passion.
“That is where I feel most at home. I’ve had a theater background since high school and have always loved being in front of a large number of people, but I love doing close-up magic as well. Both styles have their own very distinct place.”
If forced to choose, Pedranti says that the magician who inspires him most would be David Copperfield.
“David does things that no one else could even dream about. Not only is his magic so grand and amazing, he is such a great performer in general. He could take the most simple trick in the world, usually meant for only 2 people, and floor 2000 people simultaneously. He is simply amazing.”
Pedranti has worked with several different assistants over the course of his many shows. His assistant for the upcoming show on August 3rd is Alix Dyer.
“She is a great girl who has a background in dance, so she has the natural talent of entertaining people on stage herself. I love working with her.”
In addition to an assistant, there is an entire crew required to make his stage shows amaze and delight.
“The people backstage are as important to the success of any magic show as the magician or on-stage assistants,” says Pendranti. “They are kind of like the linemen of the magic industry. They are invaluable to a show, and people don’t often recognize their importance. If it weren’t for the backstage crews, my shows would not be successful.”
As with most performers, Pedranti is often asked for his most important bit of advice to up-and-coming magicians.
“Be original,” he says. “This is the number one thing that many magicians forget. They try to mimic the famous magicians of the time, and most of them can’t pull it off. Don’t try to imitate David Copperfield, or Lance Burton or Criss Angel. Those guys became famous because they were original and unique. Create your own style and persona in performance, and make it yours.”
Pedranti was a good sport with this final question – Have you ever made someone disappear and not been able to find them?
“No, not yet, but with magic anything can happen. This is why I have all of my assistants sign a liability waiver before each show.”
The show is Friday, August 3rd. Doors open at 6:30pm, showtime is 7:00. The evening’s events will include a raffle, silent auction, no-host bar and a dessert buffet. Tickets are now available at www.bgcoakhurst.com. Adults $25, kids under 12 are $15, and reserved table of 8 is $180.00
