Steve Dacri
Stephen "Steve" Robert Dacri (March 22, 1952 – February 11, 2011) was an accomplished sleight-of-hand magician who worked for nearly 30 years at his craft earning him the moniker "The Fastest Hands in the World."[1] He was born in Worcester, Massachusetts and died on February 11, 2011 from colon cancer, leaving a wife, Jan, and a son, Jesse. Dacri's interest in magic began at the age of six when his parents gave him a Mandrake the Magician magic set. Within a few years, he was performing magic at family and community gatherings.[2]
“I grew up watching Red Skelton, Abbott & Costello, The Three Stooges, The Amazing Ballantine and Jackie Gleason. I always knew I wanted to be able to entertain people like they did,” Steve wrote.[3]
Dacri's joy in entertaining audiences for the majority of his life was clear to everyone who crossed his path. In a blog post dated March 18, 2010, he wrote,
It is obvious to me that most people have never had the chance to see magic in such a setting, performed without props or special sets. To me, this is the real magic, magic that is created in the hands, using age old methods of sleight of hand and misdirection perfected by masters before me. I was lucky to be tutored and coached by the greatest magicians who ever lived, and I owe my success to them. During the show I try to acknowledge them all and we even show a short film clip of the legendary Dai Vernon, whom we called the Professor, as a tribute to the remarkable man who had the distinction of being the only man to fool Houdini. Some nights I even perform the same trick that Vernon used to fool Houdini. To keep things fresh, I am constantly changing things, adding new routines and old ones that I haven't done in many years. I do that for myself as much as for the show. Helps keep me sharp and fresh.[4]
Career Appearances
- Bellagio
- Broadcast Television
- Corporate Conventions & Expositions
- Cruise Ships
- Desert Inn
- Four Seasons at Mandalay Bay
- Harrah's, Lake Tahoe
- Las Vegas Hilton Shimmer Showroom - where he performed his last show in 2010* Magic Castle
- MGM Grand
- Mirage
- Radio City Music Hall
- Riviera
- Secret Pagoda Showroom, Caesar's Magical Empire, Caesar's Palace
- The Stardust
- The Venetian
- Wynn
- Vegas Video Network Behind the Curtain
Writer & Director Credits, Television & Film
- Bounty Hunters
- Emergency Call
- Magic Notebook
Producer Credits
- Lemonade Stand, a YouTube Video [1]
- Magic Party Show, a Home Video
- Magic Secrets, a Home Video
- Meet the Players, a Mockumentary [2]
Interactive Dinner Theatre Productions
- All American High School Reunion
- Mario & Mary's Wedding
- Nathan & Nina's Jewish Italian Wedding starring Wayne Glaser
Broadcast Television Appearances
Books
- Commercial Close-Up (1978)
- Fooling People (1983)
Awards
- 2008 MERLIN Award (the Oscar of the magic world) for 2008 Best Close-up Magician in the World.[6]
- Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star[7]
- 2008 and 2009 International Close-Up Magician of the Year
Celebrity Quotes
- “Steve really does have the fastest hands in the world, believe me... he’s fantastic!” – Regis Philbin
- “Steve is my favorite magician.” – Bob Hope
- "David Blaine...move over!" - The Magic Circle, London
- "Steve is really a fantastic magician." - Ed McMahon
- "The finest card worker in the business." - Tony Curtis
Reviews
- "Dacri offers a real change of pace…plenty of tricks up his sleeve…small showroom perfect for showcasing sleight of hand… …genuinely perplexing trickery."[8]
- "His uncanny magic defies belief and has earned him numerous awards and accolades worldwide. This is a wonderful show filled with tricks, laughs, surprises, audience participation and just plain fun for ages 8-98."[9]
- "Steve Dacri, the "Xtreme close-up" magician who was so popular at Caesars Magical Empire—is packing them in these days at The Orleans."[10]
- "Steve Dacri…does an altogether different type of magic…pure sleight of hand, rather than the cabinet-style illusions of most Las Vegas stage shows."[11]
- "“Steve performs the most mind-blowing magic I have ever seen. It doesn't matter how close you are, you cannot see a thing. Dacri even defies the crowd to "try and catch me". But they never do. He manipulates cards and rings and balls and coins with smooth elegance, and his quick wit keeps you in stitches in between the sleight of hand."[12]
- "Wow… masterful performances…a magical treat... What fun this is! Dacri certainly lives up to his billing with dizzying close-up shenanigans that even the "bunny-cam" can't catch, and he does it all in a context of great comfortable fun that plays especially well in this venue."[13]
- "...Outstanding! Brilliant! Don’t miss this show, Steve is the best I have ever seen."[14]
- "His magic skills are matched by his engaging personality and winning smile. His 30-plus years of experience onstage give him a vast array of one-liners and comebacks to draw from. He is relaxed and totally in control as he fools the crowd over and over. It was the best magic show we had ever seen."[15]
- "Xtreme Close-up Magic, focuses sharply on the high-energy sleight of hand skills of Steve Dacri. For a solid hour, he assaults and astounds the senses of the audience..."[16]
- ""Xtreme Close-Up Magic” is magic like you’ve never seen it performed. Refreshing."[17]
- "… only two minutes into his act, it is apparent to the audience that we are watching a true master of magic at work here."[18]
- "Brilliant show…a must see for all ages."[19]
- "Anyone remember Steve Dacri’s “Magical Mystery Tour” TV series from 1975-1976? Steve is still at it, now fracturing people’s senses with his impressive new show in Las Vegas. It’s a must-see production in a small venue, with magic in your face by the king of close-up magic."[20]
- "...the laughter and applause was high for Steve Dacri and his laugh-filled, amazing magic sensational!"[21]
- "...a vivacious, comedic magician . . . he wows them every night!"[22]
- "...a master magician with a quick wit. Standing ovations!"[23]
- "Dacri is a powerhouse. His comedic skills combine with his lightning fast hands...a first class entertainer...highly recommended."[24]
- "Steve's a thoroughly entertaining magician with lots of charm. The audience adored him."[25]
- "...a multitalented performer with a unique, enjoyable style..."[26]
- "Don't miss this guy . . chances are you'll never see a better close-up magic act in your lifetime."[27]
- "...a thoroughly enjoyable night, Dacri carried the show with his charm and mindblowing magic skills."[28]
- "Steve Dacri started his love affair with magic at the age of six. By the ripe old age of eight, he'd started performing shows and hasn't stopped since."[29]
References
- ^ "City native lived to make magic" by Richard Duckett, Telegram & Gazette, February 18, 2011
- ^ http://stevedacri.com/stevedacriStory.html
- ^ http://stevedacri.com/stevedacriStory.html
- ^ http://www.magicwebchannel.com/
- ^ Jan Dacri, Facebook message to Patty Mooney, 3/6/11
- ^ http://merlinawards.wordpress.com/awards-year-by-year/2008-2/
- ^ http://www.stevedacri.com/press.html
- ^ Mike Weatherford, NEON, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Friday December 12, 2003
- ^ Norm Johnson, "It's the Norm," Las Vegas Leisure Guide, August 2003
- ^ Timothy McDarrah, Vegas Beat, Las Vegas Sun
- ^ Mike Weatherford, Las Vegas Review-Journal, August 1, 2003
- ^ RLS, Magic Web Guide
- ^ Barbara Nosek, Info Las Vegas
- ^ Robin Leach, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
- ^ Las Vegas InsideTips
- ^ John Moehring, MAGIC, November 2003
- ^ Gambling Times
- ^ Las Vegas InsideTips
- ^ Les Kincaid's Las Vegas Lifestyles
- ^ Boston Radio Digest
- ^ Middlesex News
- ^ Las Vegas Sun
- ^ Boston Herald
- ^ Miami Herald
- ^ Las Vegas Mirror
- ^ Boston Globe
- ^ Worcester Telegram and Gazette
- ^ Providence Review Journal
- ^ http://wizardhq.blogspot.com/2010/04/magic-magazine-april-2010.html
External links