Peter Samelson LIVE (Penguin Live)
“Peter Samelson in my mind is exactly what all magicians should strive to be. He is clever, inventive and has a keen sense of how to make an audience care. I am proud to call him a personal inspiration and a friend. No matter who you are, you will benefit from listening to him.” -Kevin James 

"I've had the pleasure of producing several projects with Peter Samelson and have seen him perform his signature routines at least a dozen times in studio and in front of live audiences and his performances always move me - and I can't tell you the last time any magic performance or performer has ever done that." -Bill Abbott 

"Peter raises our art form to new levels. He has an incredible ability to not only leave his audiences in awe, but to emotionally connect with them in ways I never knew were possible." -Michael "Six" Muldoon 

“Peter Samelson understands how to amaze. His depth of thought and attention to detail are blended with beauty and whimsy -- a great combination!” -Max Maven 

“Peter Samelson is giving an online lecture I’m THERE! Peter is a master of good magical construction. His sense of theatricality, scripting, and fine-tuning every important detail makes for some strong, memorable magic. Don’t watch this unless you really want to make your magic better.” -Francis Menotti 

“The first time I saw Peter Samelson I was blown away at how different he was than any other magician I had seen. He spoke well. He treated the audience with respect. He stood up! At the time EVERYONE was tossing things in their laps. In other words… he was way ahead of his time. Watching Peter CHANGED what I thought of performing and helped shape me into whatever I am today. Thank you, Peter.” -Chris Kenner 

“When a magician claims to do ‘theatrical magic’ it often means amateur acting, hackneyed storytelling and badly diluted magic overshadowed by the lame attempt at theater. Peter Samelson does sophisticated, intelligent theatrical magic where the mystery is kept in focus, and the theatrical elements add emotion and relevance rather than detract from the magic. Listen to this man. He knows things.” -Eric Mead 

“Peter is one of the hardest working magicians I know, he is never afraid of stepping out of his comfort zone and trying something completely new and perfecting it for as long as it takes.” -Asi Wind 

What did he teach


Everything in Theatrical Close-Up will be performed and most of it explained. All the presentations will be discussed… including: 

Cigarette and Thimble

Mat and Thimble

Sponge Ball Snacks

In the Hand-Off
Shoelace with spectator’s ring

Mimetic Slo-Mo
A slow motion coin vanish

Ring of Truth
Ring and rope routine

New York Transpo
Spectator’s selected card ends up as the only blue-backed card in a red-backed deck. This signed red-backed card changes places with the performers signed card while both are under the performer’s hands. The performer’s and spectator’s signatures switch places on the selected cards .

There will also be work on a Ring Flite ending to the two previous Ring & Rope routines with a segment on how to handle and use the Richard Sanders AnyRing, and an ending using the Nick Einhorn Nest of Wallets for two different situations – walk around and formal…

Also, there will be performance and teaching of the Larry Jennings Cup Routine and Slydini’s Coins Through Table to talk about emotional justification…

Peter will explain some theatrical techniques and scripting concepts supported by performances of Body Snatchers, and his presentations of the Gypsy Thread and Snowstorm routines.

And, perhaps, we'll convince him to perform Smoke – his magnificent routine (set to music) with coins, smoke, and a wine glass.

Plus, there are certain to be some other surprises!

Who is he


Christened the "soft-spoken conceptualist of sorcery" by the New York Times, Peter Samelson has performed atop the Great Wall of China, in the jungles of Bali and the universities of Tokyo. He has performed for Mexican peasants and Grand Prix race car drivers on the World Cruise of the Queen Elizabeth II. 

He has entertained Princess Stephanie of Monaco, the jet-set of Paris and the fishermen mending their nets on the beaches of Cartagena. From Kenya to the Magic Castle, from television to trade shows, college campuses to commercials, the New York stage, night clubs and celebrity events, Peter Samelson has distinguished himself not only as a magician, but as an artist. 

Peter performs and lectures at colleges, universities, and Theater and Performing Arts festivals. Peter has staged two one-man Off-Broadway shows; "The Magician" and "PaperWork." He also performs and designs for television, film and theater including: "What About Bob," "Whispers in the Dark," for Kraft Salad Dressing, host on a syndicated 13 part series on Magic, CNN's "Sonya Live!", Mabou Mines, The Bermuda Theater Festival, the new musical "Houdini" and the PBS Special, "The Art of Magic."