Columbus magician to make national TV debut tonight

Columbus-based magician Michael Kent has been performing in front of live audiences for years, but tonight is the first time he gets to show off his tricks to an audience of millions.

Kent is slated to appear on the season premiere of “Penn & Teller: Fool Us,” a show where magicians perform tricks in front of the legendary magic-comedy duo.

Most of the time, Penn and Teller are able to explain how the tricks are done after only having seen them once, but if they’re stumped, the lucky magician earns the opportunity to perform with them in the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

“From what I understand, my name was recommended to the producers,” Kent told 614NOW. “They liked my energy and performance style and asked me to come up with an idea of what I wanted to do on the show.”

Kent said the performance was nerve-wracking at first, but once he heard the 600-person audience, it actually set him at ease.

“Had it just been cameras, a sound stage and the celebrity hosts, I would have gone crazy. Once I walked onstage and heard the audience, I was in my comfort-zone,” Kent said. “The show airing tonight is more nerve-wracking because, although I lived it, I haven’t seen the edit.”

We asked Kent to give us a teaser of what we’ll see tonight, but he gave us a fittingly mysterious response, saying he would be paying homage to a classic of magic.

“Penn & Teller: Fool Us” airs on The CW tonight at 9 p.m. in Columbus, after the Columbus Crew game.

As for his next live performance in town, you can see Kent’s signature brand of magic at Shadowbox Live’s Backstage Bistro on July 26.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY