Jeff McBride, the “Grandmaster of Magic,” chatted with Digital Journal’s Markos Papadatos about his latest virtual creation “Jeff McBride— MagicQuest,” which premieres on May 7.
McBride has used his time wisely during the pandemic where he created something distinct. His newest creation, “Jeff McBride – MagicQuest” uses the Zoom platform to deliver truly interactive magic and storytelling over the Internet.
“This show is my life story in 70 minutes,” McBride said. “It is filled with surprises, interactive magic, and the quest will surprise you because I think everybody has been on a quest looking for magic in their lives. This is my journey from a magician’s point of view.”
“There are a number of ordeals along the way and how I get through them and there are gifts along the way, and I share them with the audience. For the people that come to the show, they will be initiated in the art of magic,” he added.
After months of development with his team, McBride has combined his magical performance with the tale of his life-long quest to uncover the secrets of real magic. With MagicQuest, he invites audiences into his home—his “House of Mystery” – for a unique experience that is part show, part tour—and it even includes a special VIP afterparty.
McBride also shared that he tips his hat to the late but great Eugene Burger in his virtual show.
His illustrious career in magic and entertainment has spanned over four decades. His new show is comprised of his amazing magic, as well as stories of his travels, revelations, and his constant search for the magical.
Jeff McBride – MagicQuest opens its virtual doors to the public on Friday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. PST, over the Zoom platform. It will consist of a total of eight performances that will run for two weeks, concluding on May 16.
“The interactivity of Zoom makes this show, MagicQuest, unlike anything you have ever seen,” he said. “Plus, the fact that it’s a real tour of the Magic & Mystery School. This is the first time that I have been able to show all of my curiosities and all of the treasures that I have collected from my travels from around the world.”
“Now, you can come and be immersed in this magical environment and be initiated in this world of magic, and participate in it as well and come out a little bit more enlightened than when you went in,” he added.
McBride is joined by Tobias Beckwith, his executive producer, and director. Beckwith is his longtime manager and producer who has worked with him since the late ’80s. They are joined by technical producer Scott Steelfyre. “Tobias even makes a cameo in the show,” McBride hinted.
In addition, magical luminaries Max Maven and David Copperfield have lent their expertise and advice to the creation of this show. “Max Maven and David Copperfield helped a lot on this show,” he said. “We have been getting really top input from some of the great storyteller magicians of our time.”
With his Magic & Mystery School, he has been streaming for 11 years. “We have opened our magic school to the global magic community, and we hosted classes on magic on Zoom, and how to connect with audiences,” he said. “Our school has been thriving even during the pandemic because magic is a very powerful form of interaction on Zoom.”
On the title of the current chapter of his life, he said, “This is called ‘Full Circle’.” “Ironically enough, my very first shows were performing for my friends and my family in my living room,” he said. “My passion for magic took me all over the world for 50 years. Now, I completed that circle and I am back in my living room performing magic for my friends and my family.”
“In this stage of my life, I am a sage, a teacher and a guide to help other people to step up on the stage and shine in the light. I am very happy to be able to share my lifetime experience teaching others,” he added.
For McBride, success is measured with the success of his students. “Success is when I get a student on America’s Got Talent or when my students win America’s Got Talent, or to see my students on stage on Masters of Illusion on television or to see my students fool Penn & Teller. Seeing my students having success performing for their families and friends and doing the kind of magic that they love. The fruit of the teacher is the student,” he said.
To learn more about the “Grandmaster of Magic” Jeff McBride and his virtual magic show, check out his official website.
