When I started my show Miracles & Other Deceptions: The Close Up Magic of Paul Gertner at the Omni Parker House in downtown Boston, my plan was to continuously add new magic to the show to keep it fresh and exciting for the audience, and for myself. If a magic trick fails, it’s pretty obvious… everyone in the audience knows it. Therefore, there must be a rehearsal process before you can add a new magic trick to a show. That process includes developing the idea, building the props, writing the script, lots of practice and then the finished product has to be tested to make sure the magic works. The rehearsal process includes practicing the new illusion over and over in front of a mirror, or better still, a video camera to check it out from every possible angle. But eventually, I have to try out that new trick in front of a live, breathing audience… and every magician needs a testing ground.
For the past four years, my testing ground has been at The Cottage Park Yacht Club, a sailing club in my hometown of Winthrop, Massachusetts about ten houses down the street from my home. The club is home to a great group of sailors who dock their sailboats, powerboats, racing boats and kayaks at the club marina or on moorings in the harbor. I don’t even own a boat, but when we moved the Boston four years ago my wife and I joined the club to meet people in the area, and it has been a great decision. For me the best part of the club is the Pilot House, the club bar and restaurant where the members all hang out after a sail for something to drink and eat… and now sometimes to see a little magic.
I’ve found the Pilot House to be a perfect testing ground for my new magic illusions that I eventually plan to add to my show at the Omni Parker House. When I have a new idea or I’m working on a new trick, I know I can walk one block and easily find an audience anytime day or night ready and waiting to watch some new magic… and I’ll quickly find out what works and what does not.
My “magic gang” is a group of regulars like Dave, Rob, and Owen that are always willing to watch 
something new and give me an honest opinion of my latest trick. When I was rehearsing for my third appearance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, this input was invaluable and helped me fine-tune the magic and fool Penn & Teller yet again. Of course, by the time I’m trying out something new on my friends at the Pilot House, I have already rehearsed it in front of my mirror or video camera 200-300 times… but performing it in front of a live audience adds a totally new dimension and the results can be eye-opening.
Once I have worked out the bugs and fine-tuned the new effect… only then do I begin to slowly insert it into my show at the Omni Parker House. If you are curious to see my latest new illusions you can always join The Cottage Park Yacht Club in Winthrop… it is a great group of people. Or… simply pick up a ticket to one of my Friday Night shows for Miracles & Other Deceptions: The Close Up Magic of Paul Gertner. We have shows at 7:00 & 9:00 on most Friday Nights and next month we start our special Halloween Shows called Trick and Treat! where you will get both Tricks AND a Treat. I hope to see you there.
