LAS VEGAS - Illusionist Morgan Strebler's performances Friday and Saturday at the Marriott Airport Hotel in St. Louis will be special for a couple reasons.
"It's for the Midwest Magic Jubilee," Strebler said. "It gave me a chance to come home and perform plus a chance to attend a great convention - it's supposed to be really fun."
Having scheduled four days to visit with family and friends, Strebler already has his sights set on a home style meal. "First place I'm going when I get home is Lambert's," he promised.
Born in Sikeston, Strebler graduated from Sikeston High School in 1994 and relocated to Las Vegas in July 1999 to pursue his magic career.
He is best remembered in his hometown for "The Bullet Catch" trick in which he appears to catch a bullet in his teeth.
Strebler will perform that trick and more during his shows at the 39th annual magic convention. "They'll have a variety of acts on the bill," Strebler said, referring those interested in coming to the Website at www.mmjubilee.com for a complete listing.
"They have three public shows. The public can attend Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday night," he said. "The shows start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $14."
Friday Strebler will include a routine based off the game and movie "Clue" and a trick in which he appears to randomly select a music compact disk and transform into the artist for an impromptu performance. "Everything is going to change in the blink of an eye," Strebler hinted.
Saturday will feature "The Bullet Catch," which Strebler first performed at ReArms in Sikeston.
Those who attend tonight will have the chance to catch a Strebler magic show, but it won't be Morgan.
"Our son is going to be performing at the Jubilee as well - it's his first show," Strebler said. In addition to his show tonight, 7-year-old Caleb will also compete in a stage magic contest on Friday.
Strebler's stage show, "The Magic of Morgan and Mikela," already includes his wife, Mikela. "She's the co-star of the illusion show," Strebler said. "We have one of the biggest illusion shows in the world."
At his new home in Las Vegas, Strebler has remained active in the magic business, recently doing a show that will be difficult to forget.
"I performed at Michael Jackson's house," Strebler said. "I performed there July 26 for his father's birthday at the Neverland Ranch just outside of Santa Barbara."
The job was arranged by a reporter from Las Vegas-Hollywood Magazine, which hosted the party, after he saw Strebler perform at the Society of American Magicians Convention at the Riviera Hotel Casino in Las Vegas.
"I performed walk-around magic like metal bending with forks and spoons, pickpocketing, card tricks and other close-up magic," Strebler recalled. "It was probably one of the biggest highlights of my magic career."
Strebler said among the 1,000 people there were several bands hired for the party and "a ton of celebrities."
Right after the birthday cake was cut, Strebler "bent silverware" for the gathered onlookers. "It was amazing because Jermaine had just got done singing," he recalled.
Strebler said the silverware bending trick is similar to the famous scene from the movie, "The Matrix."
"If you could really free your mind, this is what it would look like," Strebler said.
Unfortunately, Strebler didn't actually get to meet the party's host, he reported. "I didn't see Michael - he was there but he didn't come out of the house from what I understood."
Despite the star-studded audience, "It was no different except for the setting," Strebler said. "I mean, people are people - everybody loves magic."
For tickets to Thursday, Friday or Saturday night's shows, call 314-298-8300 or the Marriott at 314-423-9700.
------ On the Net: http://www.magicofmorgan.com