NOTHING UP MY SLEEVE
By Chris Wadsworth
There’s a famous – or should we say infamous – magic trick going back a century or more that involves a magician “catching” a bullet in his or her mouth. Legend has it that several performers have been injured or even died performing it.
So it might shock you that this trick is performed every month right here in Ashburn. The only difference – the gun used is a Nerf gun and it’s all for comedic effect.
“He just pummels me with these bullets. They are Nerf bullets so they aren’t going to do any damage,” said magician Ken Jones. “The audience loses their minds – they are laughing like crazy.”
Magical moments like this have been captivating audiences since September 2024 at the Magic & Mischief show at Ashburn’s StageCoach Theatre.
The show is hosted by “The Professor” and “The Conman.” Jones – an actual PhD who teaches statistics at American University – is the Professor. Alec Negri, who has been a working magician appearing at parties and shows for decades, is the Conman.
The fact that the two aren’t just showmen together, but actually good friends might surprise some. They are 20 years apart in age. One spent a career in the business world, the other in military service and education. One leans right politically, the other leans left.
“On paper, we’re total opposites,” said Jones, who lives in Belmont Country Club.
They met about five years ago and did some performances together, but it was around 2022 when they decided to get serious about creating a new show that played off their personalities – Jones, the straight man with the serious demeanor, and Negri, the comedic wit.
“We put about a year and a half into the show – writing it, blocking it, getting all the props,” Jones said. “We still practice twice a week and have a two-hour rehearsal prior to each monthly show. We even get together and watch the show on video afterward, critiquing it and looking for ways to improve it.”
The show includes all kinds of magic – escape artist, sleight of hand, mentalism, bar bets and more.
Negri, who lives in the Broadlands, says he loves his role in the act – making the crowd laugh.
“It’s definitely more fun and it’s more my style,” he said. “I like getting the spontaneous laugh and I like getting the ‘no way – that’s impossible” type of reaction to the magic – the jaw-dropping wonder of the magic. That’s my goal. I want both to happen at the same time.”
Both men say the best audiences are the ones who really get into the spirit of the evening and participate. It makes everything more magical.
“It’s a small theater,” said Jones, referring to the StageCoach venue. “It’s 50 seats. It’s an intimate setting. It’s up close and personal. And when the audience gets into it, we thrive on that.”
IF YOU GO
- What: Magic & Mischief with The Professor and The Conman
- Where: StageCoach Theatre Company, 20937 Ashburn Road, Ashburn
- When: 2026 performances are scheduled for Feb. 13, March 6, April 10, May 1, June 19, Sept. 11, Oct. 9 and Nov. 20
- More Info: stagecoachtc.com/magic-and-mischief