David Blaine—magician, extreme illusionist, stunt artist—continues to astound millions of fans as he pushes his body, and one’s capacity to believe, to new extremes.
With his first-ever Las Vegas residency, “David Blaine: In Spades,” currently scheduled to run into July, he has added another title to his repertoire: Vegas headliner.
“The show is a combination of the most difficult stunts and magic I’ve done in my entire life. No two shows are the same. It’s a work in progress—it’s so physically demanding, can’t be rehearsed, and is always evolving where anything can happen,” Blaine says. “It’s not possible to perform more than one weekend a month. I hope it lasts and that an injury doesn’t end the show.”
He’s not exaggerating. During the opening of the March 11 show, Blaine missed his mark while falling 80 feet from a platform into a stack of cardboard boxes. He dislocated his shoulder, but the show went on—four doctors in the audience came to the stage to assist, popping his shoulder back in place—and he’s not planning on missing any shows.
His Vegas show inhabits the 5,000-seat Resorts World Theatre, the newest arena on the Las Vegas Strip. “It has all the characteristics of an arena space, but feels intimate,” Blaine said.
The varied crowds reflect Blaine’s broad appeal. Notables seen in the Vegas audiences have ranged from entertainers such as Eminem, Woody Harrelson, and Marion Cotillard, to the likes of Sergey Brin, Steve Wozniak, and Marc Benioff.
In addition to his Vegas residency, the New York City native is keeping busy with other projects—“I’m traveling around the world searching for incredible magic and strong imagery for a new series on National Geographic, while trying not to kill myself along the way” he says—as well as his involvement with Flying Hero Club, which teaches children battling life-threatening illnesses to “fly” like their favorite superheroes through the use of a computerized flying system. The nonprofit partners with children’s hospitals across the U.S. to bring the experience of flight right to the kids.
Blaine, 50, recently caught up with Penta from Las Vegas.
PENTA: How did you come up with a new show?
David Blaine: There is an incredible history in magic, filled with striking images and wonderful stories that have affected everything I care about as a performer. I search the world trying to meet people that are the best at what they do and try to learn from them. I’m fortunate, as a magician, to have access to many carefully guarded secrets. Often the ideas inspired will evolve through trial and error until they become something unique and meaningful and then they become part of my show.
You’ve said that Vegas is the home of magic; how are you finding the crowds?
Las Vegas has a great mixture of audiences from all over the world. Magic has no language barriers and tells many visual stories. I waited until now to do this show because I wanted to have all of the elements that I felt would create a great experience in a town that’s very used to such a wide variety of shows. You can come here with any whimsical idea and people say “great, let’s make it happen.”
You lost 40 pounds to get ready for this residency. How do you set about pushing your body to such extremes?
I usually set a target goal. For example, I may decide to drop 40 pounds in order to be more efficient during my breath holds and high falls. It helps to try to eliminate most sugars, which also cause inflammation. Caloric restriction is the most important part. I make sure to eat enough to have the right combination of carbs, fats, and proteins so I can function at a high level, but still in caloric deficit so that I can safely lose about 2.5 pounds per week.
You’ve turned 50 this year; what comes to mind when you think of your personal journey?
I never take for granted how lucky I was to have the great support of an amazing single mother who raised me in Brooklyn, where I first discovered magic through a deck of cards. I learned a language that has no divide and has brought me to interact with people from all over the world.
How did you become involved with the Flying Hero Club?
Jim Churchman—one of the world’s best stunt coordinators, he’s helping me with this show—started Flying Hero Club. I love the way he uses rigs from his Marvel movies to inspire sick or struggling kids to experience flying. I am honored to help Jim and the kids in any way.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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