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Friday, February 21, 2025

Magic in the Air

On Saturday, August 19, Jarman Auditorium was packed with roughly 750 audience members awaiting Peter Boie, a magician from Boston, Massachusetts who performs roughly 150 shows per tour. Longwood Universitywas one of those stops where he entertained fellow Lancers and their families for Family Weekend. As the doors opened at around 7:30pm the crowd poured into the lobby awaiting the chance to see the magic.

Audience member Maggie Mathieson stated, “Boie was a genuinely funny entertainer, making his performance a very enjoyable one.” In the beginning of the show Boie asked for an audience member to come up on stage and get a Tootsie Pop to see how many licks it may take to reach the center. The audience member picked a cherry flavored pop and was given a “lick counter” to keep track of them. By the time the member reached the center they were 877 licks in.

By the end of the show, Boie awed the crowed by revealing a folder containing a slip of paper that held the flavor and number of licks it would take. The catch was thathe wrote this down, “A few hours before the show.”

It turned out his prediction was exactly the right flavor and number. After the show Boie said that he was,“11 years old and in a library and came across a book of how to become a magician. It intrigued me and I started practicing. I performed shows for my family and friends and by 15 years old I received my first paid gig to do a show for friends which kick started my career.” From asking the audience if they have “ever been arrested” to escaping from a straight jacket to the theme song from Star Wars; Boie always kept the auditorium filled with laughter. The event was led by Brandon Bassham, Director of Traditions for Lancer Productions. Bassham stated,"I want to give all the credit to the following people and groups who truly made this event have the turn out it did. I did a fraction of what they have done for the students and their families this weekend.”

He credits Susan Sullivan, First Year Experience, University Center of Student Activities, Lancer Productions, from A.V. Tech Services Clint Wright and William Lynn and last but not least all who attended. Lancer Productions hopes to have an even larger turnout at their next event, Michael Dubois, performing in Jarman Auditorium, September 23rd at 8:00pm.