"The Optical Delusions" is a new comedy-variety show making its Milwaukee debut at Turner Hall Ballroom this Saturday at 8 p.m.
Two Milwaukee natives, juggler Marcus Monroe and magician Ben Seidman, join London-based mind reader Luke Jermay in a show that according promoters will challenge "your notions about magic, mind-reading, and juggling."
I shot Monroe five questions about Saturday night's performance.
OnMilwaukee.com: How'd you get your start? What was the first item you juggled?
Marcus Monroe: I first started juggling when I was 9 years old. Actually, I got the Klutz book on juggling for my 9th birthday. It took me three months to learn the simple three-ball cascade, but I stuck with it. The first thing I learned to juggle were these square beanbags that came with the book. I think they had diseases on them.
OMC: How many professional jugglers are there? Is this your only job?
MM: There's a good handful of professional jugglers out there. There's a lot more in Europe where the arts and circus market is a lot larger. However, I don't think there are many full time professional jugglers in my age group performing in the venues I am. I went to college for three years in New York City then started getting too much work. I had to pick either my career or school. It wasn't a hard decision, although I do want to eventually go back to school.
OMC: What's the hardest thing you've ever juggled? Any serious injuries?
MM: There is a difference between the hardest thing I have ever had to juggle and the hardest trick I perform. The hardest thing I have ever had to juggle was back in 2006 opening for Cake at the Riverside. I juggle three knorches -- a knife and torch combo I invented -- with a firework exploding from my head all while riding a 12-ft. unicycle. To finish this stunt I jumped off from my unicycle and fractured both of my feet. I've been burned, stabbed, cut and bruised more times than I'd like to think about.
OMC: What can people expect from Saturday's show?
MM: When the guys and I hit the stage Saturday night they can expect to see a damn good variety show. We have one of the world's greatest mind readers, Luke Jermay. He's 23 years old and has published 38 books on mind reading and mentalism.
People will also see Ben Seidman, a Milwaukee native, one of the most talented close-up magicians on the circuit. Not only is Ben a talented magician, but he is very funny. Ben and Luke both live in Vegas. The three of us onstage together create The Optical Delusions.
It is a fast-paced, high-energy show. But we are not trying to be anyone than ourselves. More importantly, The Optical Delusions showcases our respected talents and our bond as young performers looking to change our craft. We love vaudeville and love watching acts like Charlie Chaplin, Alexander, and Houdini; these are people that have inspired us. Maybe in some ways this show is a tribute to them. We are the next generation of variety entertainment.
OMC: Any other special talents that you have?
MM: Besides from what you will see in the show (comedy, juggling, magic, mind reading) Ben is really good at making the weirdest faces. Luke is very talented with the ladies, and I can make a mean sloppy joe.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
