The opening act
Published 9:00 pm Friday, July 2, 2004
EVERETT – About 50 people witnessed magician John LeBlanc break Harry Houdini’s speed record for the “Metamorphosis” trick on a downtown street corner Friday.
The performance was to celebrate the grand opening of Moonflower Magicks, a bookstore and gift shop selling oils, herbs and clothing at 2733 Colby Avenue in Everett.
LeBlanc, who was tied in a bag and locked in a wooden chest, switched places with his assistant atop the box in only two seconds.
Houdini’s record was three seconds.
“I can’t believe he did it, he broke the record,” said Matthew Stone, 10, one of the onlookers.
Fiona Bowan, 7, was handed the key to the box LeBlanc was locked in and was amazed at the stunt.
“Wow. How did he do it? That was really, really cool,” Bowan said.
Karen Harper, a kindergarten teacher, said she didn’t know how he did it either.
“She was gone and then he was there – bam – just like that,” Harper said. “It was really fun and the kids really enjoyed it.”
LeBlanc, 48, whose professional name is Telemus, wouldn’t reveal the secret of the trick.
He said he has been performing magic since he was a child, but only started performing professionally about 10 years ago.
“I got away from it for a while, but after continuously dabbling throughout the years, I saw a magic show at my medieval-themed wedding and started up again,” LeBlanc said. “Since then – about 10 years ago – I’ve been to Las Vegas and trained with people like … (famous magician) Lance Burton.”
He said he has been practicing Houdini’s “Metamorphosis” trick for years, but has never done it before a large group of people.
LeBlanc, a graduate of Marysville High School, lives in Everett and works as a Boeing quality assurance employee and as a magician.
“Both are full-time jobs,” he said.
LeBlanc said he is planning to use the money recently awarded in the company’s stock performance bonus to go to the Firedance magic festival in Santa Cruz, Calif., next month and “have some fun.”
Moonflower Magicks manager Tamara Benson said business has improved since moving from their store at the corner of Hewitt Avenue and Maple Street.
And after LeBlanc’s performance, most of the onlookers ventured into the store to help celebrate the grand opening with food, music and more magic tricks.
“It was real difficult to get people into the store then,” Benson said of the old location. “It’s been much, much, much better here. We’re seeing a whole new customer base.”
Reporter Evan Caldwell: 425-339-3475 or ecaldwell@heraldnet.com
Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald
Magician John LeBlanc, aka Telemus, gets stuffed into a bag by his assistant Rebecca Haney outside Moonflower Magicks in downtown Everett. LeBlanc re-enacted Houdini’s “Metamorphosis” act at the store’s grand opening on Friday.
