So... What Does Michael
Actually Do?
Every performance is different, but there are a few pieces of magic audiences request again and again. If you're curious about what you might see — or simply have a few questions before booking — you're in the right place.
Michael's 10 Most Requested
Pieces Of Magic.
From award-winning sleight of hand to mind reading, Pokémon, Rubik's Cubes and the occasional bottle of Irish whiskey, these are the pieces audiences ask to see most.
01 The Linking Rings Michael's most requested routine — and the one he took to Penn & Teller.
Michael magically melts solid steel rings through one another — and through objects including his finger ring, chains, a bar blade and even a solid steel ball bearing.
He learned the foundations of this work from his mentor, Matthew Garrett, before developing the routine into one of his signature pieces. Michael later performed his ring magic on Penn & Teller: Fool Us and used it while earning first place twice in the Magic Castle's competitive strolling magic events in 2017.
02 The Invisible Purse An empty purse frame somehow produces an impossible amount of stuff.
Michael begins with nothing more than the metal frame of a purse. There is no bag attached and nowhere for anything to hide. Nevertheless, cards, coins, sponge balls and other objects begin appearing from inside it.
On a particularly good night, even a bottle of whiskey may find its way out. This has been one of Michael's favorite ways to begin close-up performances for more than a decade.
03 Mind Reading & Divination Thoughts, words and impossible choices revealed without explanation.
Some of Michael's strongest material doesn't look like a traditional magic trick at all. A guest may think of a word, choose a playing card or concentrate on information that Michael seemingly could not know.
Don't worry — Michael isn't digging through anyone's deepest secrets. The experience is playful, theatrical and based around information the participant intentionally chooses to focus on.
04 Magic With Pokémon Charizard, Poké Balls and a dangerous amount of millennial nostalgia.
Pokémon has a remarkable ability to turn grown adults back into excited ten-year-olds. Michael performs effects using genuine trading cards, miniature Pokémon figures and even toy Poké Balls.
And yes — he has been known to produce an entire deck of rare holographic Charizard cards.
05 Rubik's Cube Impossibilities Cubes solved instantly — sometimes by people who have never solved one before.
Michael can take a thoroughly mixed Rubik's Cube and restore it in an instant.
Even stranger, he can invite someone who has never solved a cube in their life to apparently accomplish the impossible themselves, live in front of the audience.
06 Time Travel & Impossible Predictions Michael seems to know what's going to happen before anyone else does.
Predictions can appear throughout Michael's performances, often becoming more impossible as seemingly unrelated decisions begin connecting together.
Some routines culminate in a final revelation proving that Michael apparently knew the outcome long before the audience did. Whether this proves he's actually from the future remains an unresolved question.
07 Expert Sleight Of Hand With Cards Cards vanish, appear, travel and refuse to behave like normal pieces of paper.
Almost everyone has seen a card trick. Very few people have watched someone who has spent more than two decades seriously studying sleight of hand.
Cards can vanish completely, appear in pockets, wallets and other impossible locations, transform visibly and seemingly move under their own power.
You probably still shouldn't invite Michael to your poker game.
08 The Cup & Ball One of magic's oldest mysteries — performed directly in your hands.
Versions of the Cups and Balls have existed for thousands of years, making it one of the oldest plots in magic.
Michael's version strips the idea down and places much of the experience directly into a spectator's hands. The ball disappears, travels and reappears under increasingly impossible circumstances before one final surprise ends the routine.
09 Expert Sleight Of Hand With Coins Coins appear, vanish and teleport from inches away.
Coin magic is one of the most technically demanding branches of close-up magic. Michael began performing coin magic professionally while still one of the younger performers working at The Magic Castle.
More than 20 years later, coins still appear from nowhere, vanish at his fingertips and travel impossibly from one place to another.
Michael's coin videos have occasionally been accused of clever editing. Seeing it happen live settles the argument.
10 Michael's Magical Hat No rabbit. Possibly Guinness.
Michael's hat of choice isn't a traditional magician's top hat. It's his signature Irish newsboy cap.
Rather than producing a rabbit, Michael has a habit of producing signed cards, impossible objects and — when appropriate — a Guinness or bottle of Irish whiskey.
Apparently every magician gets to choose what comes out of the hat.
Everything Else
You Might Want To Know.
Booking entertainment shouldn't feel complicated. Here are answers to the questions Michael receives most often.
What kind of magic does Michael perform? +
Michael's performances combine close-up sleight of hand, visual magic, mind reading, mentalism, predictions, audience participation and comedy.
The exact material changes depending on the audience and event. A sophisticated cocktail reception should not feel like a children's birthday party, and a family show should not feel like entertainment designed for a nightclub. Michael builds the performance around the people in the room.
What kinds of events can I hire Michael for? +
Michael performs at corporate events, weddings, private celebrations, adult parties, family gatherings, birthdays, holiday events, fundraisers, banquets, cocktail receptions and many other special occasions.
Each type of event has different package options so the performance can fit naturally into the schedule, venue and audience.
Can I watch Michael perform before I book? +
Absolutely. Michael's Videos section includes national television appearances, complete performances, close-up magic, audience-point-of-view footage and other examples of his work.
Does Michael perform for children? +
Yes. Michael offers a dedicated family show designed specifically for younger audiences while still giving parents plenty to enjoy.
In addition to more than 20 years of professional performance experience, Michael has performed magic at Disneyland since 2019 and has extensive experience interacting with children and families.
Does Michael use live animals? +
No. Michael's current performances do not use live animals. The show is built entirely around sleight of hand, mentalism, audience interaction and other theatrical magic.
Is Michael insured? +
Yes. Michael carries liability insurance with coverage up to $2,000,000 and can provide a Certificate of Insurance upon request at no additional charge.
Requests for additional coverage limits may involve an additional fee. COI requests should ideally be finalized no later than seven days before the event.
Are discounts or special offers available? +
Yes. Michael periodically offers booking incentives for qualifying events, including small-event discounts, complimentary upgrades and multi-event offers.
Available offers depend on the type of event and package being booked.
Is a deposit required? +
Typically, a non-refundable deposit equal to 50% of the total booking is due when the agreement is signed. The remaining balance may be paid any time before the scheduled performance.
If the standard payment structure doesn't work for your budget, custom payment arrangements may be available.
What forms of payment are accepted? +
Michael accepts Visa, Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, personal checks and cash.
Are payment plans available? +
Yes. If splitting the remaining balance into multiple payments makes planning easier, Michael can work with you to establish a custom payment schedule before the event.
Can Michael teach me magic? +
Yes. Michael teaches private one-on-one magic sessions and is also a Professor of Magic at The Magic Castle.
He has created instructional magic products and produces online content for magicians ranging from complete beginners to working professionals.
Was Michael really on Penn & Teller: Fool Us? +
Yes. Michael performed his signature linking ring magic for Penn & Teller on Penn & Teller: Fool Us. The complete performance can be found in Michael's Videos section.
As for whether he fooled them... you're better off watching that part yourself.
What do previous clients say? +
Michael has accumulated hundreds of client reviews across Google, Yelp, GigSalad and other platforms from weddings, private celebrations, corporate events and family gatherings.
You can browse a selection of those experiences on the Reviews page.
How do I book Michael? +
Start by sending the event date, location, approximate guest count and a little information about what you're planning.
Michael will help determine which performance option makes the most sense, confirm availability and guide you through the booking process from there.
Just Ask Michael.
Every event is different. If you don't see your question above, tell Michael what you're planning and he'll help you figure everything out.
Contact Michael →