The Amazing Johnathan

Known as the "Freddy Krueger of Comedy and Magic," Amazing Johnathan isn't your average magician. He doesn't wear a tuxedo, he doesn't have explosive illusions, and card tricks aren't his forte. But guests at his show aren't there to see another well-mannered magician. They want bizarre, uninhibited comedy with some twisted magic tricks thrown in for good measure and Johnathan delivers.
Born John Edward Szeles, Amazing Johnathan started his career as a street performer in San Francisco on the famous… Show more Fisherman's Warf. By the late '70s Johnathan was a polished magician and entertainer, and he took his act on the road performing in nightclubs and at colleges.

From there his unique comedy magic show led him to performing all over the world and for high-profile audiences including President Ronald Reagan. He has been a featured guest on various talk shows and for multiple magic specials, but Johnathan's real passion is performing live. His raw, unscripted comedy and acerbic wit are what set him apart from other magicians.

Johnathan's show relies heavily on the participation of a volunteer that he singles out from the audience early in the show. He has the volunteer come on stage, and then quickly turns their reactions to his bizarre magic into hilarious comedy. Many of Johnathan's illusions seem to fail with the end result being non-stop laughter from the audience.

Other illusions are done with the help of Johnathan's blond, dim-witted assistant Psychic Tanya. Despite her name, Tanya, played by Penny Wiggins, is more or less oblivious to everything happening on stage. She's often the butt of Johnathan's jokes and plays the part perfectly. Wiggins started her career as a clown and has a lot of experience when it comes to comedic timing and being funny in front of a live audience.

Dressed in a black sparkling gown, Tanya appears on stage throughout the show, usually interrupting one of Johnathan's illusions with his volunteer.

"Keep in mind that the wheel is turning, but the hamster's dead," says Johnathan about his assistant to the audience.

Johnathan performs with a small prop table next to him on stage, but unlike other comedians, his table has bottles of cleaning agents like bleach and Windex on it. Later in the show Johnathan grabs the Windex bottle and takes a hearty swig of it.

"I want to take my clothes of and run around, and this prevents me from streaking," jokes Johnathan.

While Johnathan's show isn't for everyone, for the audiences who appreciate his edgy and sometimes dark humor his show is a constant favorite. If you're looking for a traditional magic show, go see the other guy. If you want to see an edgier magic show with off-the-wall comedy, then Johnathan is sure to amaze.

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