It is easy to find books with a few good tricks, but books with real, polished routines are harder to find. It is even harder to find books with professionally choreographed performance pieces honed over thousands of performances. Maestro is one of those books.
Maestro is the first book by renowned magician and performer John Shryock, and it's absolutely packed with hard-hitting, professional magic. Inside the over 170 pages, you’ll find thirteen audience-tested routines straight from John’s repertoire. Every single effect in Maestro is designed to look clean, play big, and get those phenomenal reactions.
Included are signature pieces like John’s three-phase card miracle, “Ambitious Triumphant Color Changing Deck,” his incredible “JS One Coin Routine” that he has opened with for over a decade, his fabulous Cups and Balls routine that he closes with, and an unforgettable Ring in Walnut routine where the ring is inside a walnut, inside an egg, inside a lemon. Each effect is broken down in painstaking detail, with careful attention to everything from hand position to rhythm, with nothing left out. These are fully choreographed routines that are ready for you to pick up and perform.
Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to learn what it is like to be a professional or a seasoned pro ready to add polished pieces to your repertoire, Maestro is a perfect addition to your bookshelf.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
John Shryock has traveled the globe with his illusion, parlor and close-up routines "wowing" audiences with his engaging personality, mastery of the performance, and unmistakable sense of fun. John was a favorite at Ceasars Magical Empire in Las Vegas and is one of the few magicians who performs regularly in all three show rooms at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood.
Since 2007, John has been a feature entertainer at Warren and Annabelle's Magic Club in Maui, performing his hour-long comedy and sleight of hand show to sold out crowds nightly. A professional magician since 1984, John has performed in over 100 cities across five continents in a variety of venues including cruise ships, theaters, night clubs, conventions, and trade shows. This repertoire of experience led to the creation of some very practical magic, applicable for almost any situation.
Full Table of Contents:
COIN CURRENCY CONNECTION: A borrowed quarter is penetrated by a borrowed, rolled up dollar bill. The quarter is then seen to visibly pass through the bill.
AMBITIOUS, TRIUMPHANT, COLOR CHANGING DECK: An Ambitious card, a Triumph, and a Color Changing Deck, all in the same routine with one deck of cards. And, at the end of the trick, you're completely clean!
THE WINNING HAND: The magician astoundingly conjures the four Aces from a deck of cards, placing them neatly in a row on the table. With a flourish, he sets the deck aside and lifts the Aces, revealing a fifty-cent piece beneath each one.
XIRTAM: John's reverse Matrix routine. Beautifully structured and only uses four coins and four cards. A true lesson in natural movements.
SPELLBOUND NATION: Imagine: A half dollar is displayed, then momentarily concealed. In a breathtaking instant, it morphs into a Chinese coin. Covered again, it transforms into a Mexican 20 Centavo piece. Once more shrouded, it reverts to the Chinese coin. In a stunning finale, it seamlessly returns to its original form as the half dollar.
CARDS-R-US: Any number of spectator's cards are selected and secretly controlled to the top of the deck. The cards are then found, each in a different and entertaining manner. John's favorite impromptu routine. The audience always goes crazy!
MINI CUPS AND BALLS: John's Cups and Ball routine showcases groundbreaking moves never witnessed before. This performance is guaranteed to become a staple in your repertoire!
ROYAL ACES: Four Aces vanish into separate parts of the deck, only to reappear in a mesmerizing display. With a dramatic reveal, the Aces transform into an awe-inspiring Royal Flush in Spades, leaving audiences spellbound.
COPPER, SILVER, BRASS "TRIO": A staple of John's act for fifteen years. Three different coins magically assemble under two cards. This one will fool you hard.
CLASSIC CUPS AND BALLS: Johns take on this classic effect in magic. This is John's show closing routine. The lessons learned form John's thinking and structure of the routine will help in all aspects of your magic.
CLASSIC CUP & BALLS ROUTINE: is a meticulously structured magic routine with creative sequences to produce an astonishing series of effects. The routine culminates in the surprising production of four pieces of fruit, making it a captivating closing act for close-up magic show!
ONE COIN ROUTINE: a silver dollar repeatedly vanishes and reappears, culminating in its transformation into a jumbo coin, showcasing pure sleight of hand and engaging audience interaction.
RING IN NEST OF PRODUCE: Featured on "The Late Show with David Letterman." A borrowed ring ends up in a walnut. A true reputation maker. This one will knock your socks off.