Departments
10 (or so) questions with... SinGee The Magician
Rochester Magazine: SinGee. Is that because you set things on fire?
SinGee The Magician: Here, let me give you my card. [He pulls a flaming business card from his wallet and hands it to me.]
RM: I hope the office sprinkler system doesn’t go off. Seriously.
STM: [Blows out flames]: Put that in your pocket and you’ll have a hot time tonight.
RM: So, SinGee is because you set things on fire?
STM: It’s pronounced with the emphasis on the ‘Gee.’ Not the first part, not the ‘Sin.’ I’m more ‘gee’ than ‘sin.’ Years back I worked with a rock band called Euphoria. I did lights and special effects. I had a flash pot go off on me and it singed all my hair. Thus the name SinGee.
RM: So, what have you been up to since we last talked?
STM: Well, I’ve lost five assistants since you interviewed me the first time.
RM: Is that something to do with the economy or ...
STM: I didn’t let them go. They just disappeared.
RM: That’s a good one. Seriously, though.
STM: In some ways, 2008 was a tough year for me. But you know what? I’ve seen a dropoff in business right after the last few elections, and it always comes back. I think all the bad economy news and the election made people a little scared. It’ll come back. I had some good things this year, though. I did my levitation illusion on TV at the Eagles Cancer Telethon.
RM: I know you’ve done a lot of the Telethons.
STM: I’ve probably done 10 of them over the last 35 or so years. I did my first one when I was 13 or 14.
RM: Was that one of your first magic shows?
STM: Yes, I learned from Walt Bruzek, who was an area magician and play-by-play sports announcer. They called him the “Old Bear.”
RM: You’ve lived in Rochester your whole life. What is it that’s kept you here?
STM: It’s the community. When you take pride in something you stay with it. That’s why I’ve stayed in magic and that’s why I’ve stayed in Rochester.
RM: What’s it cost to have a magician come to my house for a party?
STM: It depends. I do everything from kids’ birthday parties to adult birthday parties to cocktail hours. The basic price for a kid’s birthday party is $95 for a half hour. You can contact me at www.singee.com.
RM: What would be a good magic name for me?
STM: [Looking at me.]
RM: My name’s Steve. Steve Lange.
STM: Oh, Steve Lange is a good name. It’s simple. It’s catchy. It’s like Lance Burton.
RM: Here's a trick I can do. I can pull my thumb off.
STM: Right.
RM: Brush with celebrity?
STM: Fuad Reveiz [former Vikings’ kicker] hired me for a party. Cris Carter and Jack Del Rio [former Viking players] were there.
RM: It was just for those three?
STM: No. It was for Fuad’s kids.
RM: What is shredded to make sauerkraut?
STM: Cabbage. I love sauerkraut. I’m
German.
RM: Here’s a balloon animal I made.
STM: Is that a dog?
RM: Yes. It’s a wiener dog.
STM: I don’t recommend them. They’re great when you first get them, but it’s sad for the kids when they burst.
RM: Wiener dogs? Dachshunds?
STM: No, no. I just mean balloon animals.
RM: What did one magician say to another?
STM: What?
RM: Who was that girl I sawed you with last night?
STM: [Silence.]
RM: What was Houdini’s real name?
STM: Erich Weiss.
RM: Yes.
RM: Pick a card. Any card.
STM: [Picks a card.]
RM: Don’t tell me what it is.
STM: Right.
RM: Ok, I’ve got it. It’s the four of clubs.
STM: No.
RM: Four of spades?
STM: No.
RM: King of clubs?
STM: No.
RM: Ace of diamonds?
STM: No.
RM: Joker?
STM: No.
RM: That card with the rules on it?
STM: Uh, no.
RM: Four of clubs?
STM: No.
RM: Hmmm. What was your card?
STM: Seven of diamonds.
RM: Yes! I knew it!