bergenPAC to Welcome Illusionist Bill Blagg, 1/18

Bergen Performance Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey, presents Bill Blagg - Illusionist - on Saturday, January 18th, 2014 1PM & 3PM. Ticket Price: $17 (Buy 3 shows for $36) *Part of the Kidz Cabaret Series.

Tickets available at: www.ticketmaster.com or www.bergenpac.org or Box Office (201) 227 1030.

When Bill Blagg was 5 years old he received his first beginner's magic set and his magical journey began. That single magic kit set the stage for what would become a life long love for magic and a desire to become one of magic's biggest stars.

Bill's first big break occurred in 1998 at the Abbott Magic Get-Together in Colon, Michigan. He entered the Adult Stage Competition and debuted his now signature effect, The Dancing Hank. Members of the audience, including many magicians, were astounded with Bill's routine. Not only did he give the hank attitude and style, he made the hank dance in ways that were all but impossible! Though countless hours of practice amounted to only 4 minutes of stage time in Colon, Bill turned the magic world on its head by becoming the youngest contestant to win the Adult Stage Competition at Abbott's! In his first major competition, Bill had joined the ranks of his idols. The buzz circulated through the convention and people noted "We'll be seeing that young man in Vegas or on TV in the near future."

Bill insists that though the show is advertised as The Magic of Bill Blagg none of his success would be possible without the dedication of his crew. "I'm very fortunate to have such extreme dedication from these key people," Bill says with a big smile on his face. "Putting together a show is a long process, sometimes it takes over a year, and without the help and support of my crew, none of it would be possible. They're amazing." With College out of the way, where does one find Bill when he's not creating, producing, and practicing magic? "Well, I'm involved in all aspects of the show. There's a lot of things that people don't see, things that go on behind the scenes. There are a lot of meetings, but I love all that." When Bill does have a free minute, he enjoys dinner with friends, maybe a movie and he loves talking with his closest friends. "Just relaxing. That's what I like. So much of my life revolves around my magic that sometimes it's nice to put it all aside and just be with my friends."

Founded in 2003, the 1,367-seat Bergen Performing Arts Center, or bergenPAC, is the area's cultural mecca. Housed in a historic Art Deco-style theater boasting one of the finest acoustic halls in the United States, bergenPAC attracts a stellar roster of world-class entertainment. The jewel in our crown is The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC - the innovative, educational performing arts initiative that reaches more than 30,000 students annually. The Performing Arts School provides community youth, age 2 months to 21 years, with unique, "hands-on" training in music, dance and theater by industry professionals. It is through the ongoing generosity of sponsors, donors and patrons that the not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation bergenPAC and The Performing Arts School are able to thrive and enrich our community. bergenPAC is located at 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631. For more information, call (201) 227-1030 or visit www.bergenpac.org.