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Illusionist makes magic happen in Pasco

 
David Evangelista, 53, owns Merlin’s Magic Shop and Theater.
David Evangelista, 53, owns Merlin’s Magic Shop and Theater.
Published April 9, 2015

NEW PORT RICHEY — On the stage at Merlin's Theater, David Evangelista entertains each audience with what he has practiced for decades: magic.

A year and a half ago, the 53-year-old illusionist and magic shop owner opened the 65-seat venue — a place where he and other magicians can perform the tricks Evangelista first picked up as a kid.

When Evangelista was 9 years old, his grandmother bought him a deck of magic cards. Then he got a magic set.

"I had two older brothers," he said. "(Magic) was a great way for me to get attention."

He liked it so much that he read books about it, and often took a bus to a magic shop in downtown St. Petersburg as a teen to browse for hours and buy tricks with the money he earned mowing lawns.

When a friend of his dad's retired from the New York City Police Department, he sent Evangelista a set of handcuffs. He learned to break out of the cuffs without a key.

As an adult, Evangelista honed his craft. He can produce a parrot where there wasn't one; turn one parrot into two. He can cause an object to levitate.

He turned his hobby into a business, beginning in the 1980s, when he first manufactured magic props. Six years ago, he opened Merlin's Magic Shop, where he says he sells "everything from basic card tricks all the way up to stage magic effects."

He provides magic lessons at the shop, and continues to manufacture magic props and sell them to magic distributors. He also customizes props for clients, who have included illusionist David Blaine and Riverdance's prop master.

Evangelista added Merlin's Theater to the shop for a reason.

"Our goal was to bring something to Pasco County that is unusual and fun," he said.

The theater is designed to be an intimate venue for live magic, though Evangelista is considering adding other entertainment to the bill.

Magic shows at the theater, all of which are family-friendly, have featured magicians from across and outside the United States. New shows generally are scheduled for every month to six weeks, Evangelista said. At each show, refreshments, including nonalcoholic beverages, are available for sale.

"It's an experience (patrons) might get in Vegas or Branson," said Cheri Evangelista, the theater owner's wife, who works in the magic shop. "They don't have to travel to get that."

Merlin's Theater is at 7148 Congress St. in New Port Richey. Merlin's Magic Shop is next door. The next shows will feature Jay Scott Berry, a master magician who lives in Australia, at 4 and 8 p.m. April 18. Tickets are $12 to $18 in advance and $17 to $23 day on the of show, if any seats are left.

For tickets or information, call (727) 748-8822, visit visualmagicshop.com/events or visit the theater between noon and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.