Lake conjures up winning career in illusions

Trying to make his sister disappear years ago didn't work, but Rob Lake is having better luck these days making audience members disappear.

MAGIC

That may not sound so desirable in today's economy, but for a magician, it's money in the bank.

And Lake isn't a mere pull-a-rabbit-out-of-a-hat magician. Last year, at age 25, he became the youngest person to win the Merlin International Magician of the Year Award. He joins the ranks of David Copperfield, Siegfried & Roy, the late Doug Henning and Criss Angel in winning the highest honor in their field.

“Magic started as a passion for me as a child, turned into a hobby, then turned into a career,” Lake says from his office in his hometown of Norman, Okla. “Every day I wake up feeling fortunate to do what I do.”

Lake, now 26, will bring his theatrical illusions and audience participation show to Iowa City next Sunday afternoon, in a Hancher presentation at City High School, 1900 Morningside Dr.

Audience members who don't disappear will see “most of the things they expect to see,” he says. “Somebody cut in half, levitation, mind reading - the typical standard classics of magic, done in unique ways nobody has seen before.”

He says his twists give audiences “what they expect to see, with unexpected surprises.”

And even if he chooses to make audience members disappear, he promises they'll reappear later in the show - “in very unlikely places.”

His flair for the dramatic began at an early age.

“Before I wanted to be a magician, I was involved in theater,” he says. “My parents took me to New York to see shows, so there's a heavy theatrical influence with lighting, scenery, costumes, smoke and special effects - more than in the typical magic show. We make it into a whole theatrical experience.”

Even though it's a family friendly show, he's quick to point out it's not a children's show.

“It appeals to all ages and demographics,” he says. “Kids will have as much fun as their parents, grandparents and college students. (Magic) is a unique genre. It appeals to everybody.”

The magic bug bit him at age 10, and a couple of mentors have helped him hone his craft.

“There's no school other than Hogwarts to go to,” he says. “I got lucky. A renowned magician in my hometown and a successful performer from Branson took me under their wings, trained me and helped me.”

He began with card tricks and has graduated to performing his “full-scale magic illusion show” 200 to 600 times per year in theaters, performing arts centers and casinos from coast to coast and overseas, including a six-month stint in Asia.

“We did five to six shows a day (in Asia). Magic is very, very popular there,” Lake says. “Magic and mythology are part of the culture and their history. They have a lot of magic and mysticism in them.”

In early November, he'll take his show to Europe and the Middle East to entertain U.S. troops abroad, give them a diversion and thank them for their service. The Pentagon and Armed Forces Entertainment commissioned the two-week tour, which has been in the works for more than a year.

Lake says he draws inspiration for his illusions from “everywhere.” He's been doing that since childhood.

“Growing up, I was a big fan of David Copperfield,” he says, “but I've found inspiration in people of different types - Walt Disney, Stephen Spielberg, who take us on more of an emotional journey, creating more experiences than tricks - the wizards that are entertainment.”

He also looks for magic in the everyday world around him.

“I never know what's going to inspire me - a movie, a commercial, a song. Taking my dog on a walk, I saw some amazing things in nature that gave me new ideas. I try to keep an open mind. I never know what might inspire me.”

ARTS EXTRA

What: Hancher presents “An Afternoon of Magic” with Rob Lake

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18

Where: Opstad Auditorium in City High School, 1900 Morningside Dr., Iowa City

Tickets: $10 to $25 through the Hancher Box Office in Old Capitol Mall, (319) 335-1160, 1-(800) HANCHER or www.hancher.uiowa.edu Any remaining tickets available at the door

Information: www.hancher.uiowa.edu/events/RobLake.html or http://roblake.com