TRICK QUESTIONS

Some can sing opera’s stirring “Nessun dorma.”

Some can escape a straitjacket. Orange County magician and entertainer

Naathan Phan can do both— at the same time.

By Barbara Neal Varma

What sparked your interest in magic?

My grandfather. He loved practical jokes and magic. He knew only two tricks, but that’s all it took. I knew whatever I ended up doing, I’d be performing in some way. So far I’ve been on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, America’s Got Talent, and Masters of Illusion. I’m grateful for the many incredible things that have happened to me.

Favorite way to pay it forward?

I usually have a deck of cards in my pocket; it’s standard for magicians. Often, I’ll be sitting somewhere—maybe at the airport, shu ing or practicing—and someone will come up and ask me if I’m a magician. Then it’s like, here we go. It’s fun when people gather round and look so amazed, especially the kids. With great power comes great responsibility, right? Or with great personal skills comes a great need to show o at all times!

What other talents do you have up your sleeve?

Singing, acting, writing—I majored in creative writing at the Orange County School of the Arts. I’ve also done stand-up comedy and improv. It’s important to practice in front of live audiences as much as possible—more stage time, more time to get the feeling of the words in your mouth, to feel the timing of it. The more you do it, the more bulletproof the act gets.

Advice for would-be wizards?

Any magician will tell you that there are only eight kinds of magic tricks. At the end of the day, you have to find a way to make it original, make it yours. We already have a David Copperfield. We already have a Lance Burton. But what we don’t have is you.

See “Magic Asian Man”

 Naathan Phan is a multi-talented, award-winning entertainer who has headlined stages across the globe, including locally at Disneyland® Resort, the historic Ebell Clubhouse in Santa Ana, and the worldfamous Magic Castle in Hollywood. For a schedule of his upcoming performances or to book Naathan for your next event or venue, visit magicasianman.com.