About Markus and His Shows
Who are you, Markus?
I started writing and performing sketch and improv comedy in college, followed by stand-up in Boston. I learned to do magic when I was cast as the wizard Octavius in Caesar's Magical Empire, a big-budget show in a cavernous magical complex inside Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. I trained under some of the best in the business, developing my own style of comedy, sleight-of-hand, and mind reading. I often call on audience volunteers to become co-stars of the show. I use original jokes to balance out the mentalism effects, so the show never gets to serious. My act is very clean and is appropriate for all audiences.
I started building and scripting scenes in themed attractions in Las Vegas, writing and directing alien character encounters at Star Trek: The Experience, and stage shows for the Royal Court at the Excalibur Hotel. Later, I created mythology and history-based stories for rides, live shows, and blended reality experiences in Asia, Africa, and Europe. I love creating stories that surprise and delight audiences, through storytelling, sleight-of-hand, jokes, special effects, grand illusion, or all of the above. Disclaimer: I have no actual supernatural powers. I believe that laughter is the real magic.
Career Highlights
AWARDS & HONORS
Original Cast Member at Caesar’s Magical Empire
Member: Science of Magic Association
Named “One of New England’s Funniest Young Comics” during 1st year as a stand-up in Boston
Two-time finalist in “Las Vegas’s #1 Comedian” Annual April Fool’s Day Competition
Comedy Show “Laughter-Shocks” Named “Best of Las Vegas” in the Las Vegas Review-Journal
Interviewed for VANISH, the International Magic Magazine
Featured performer at the THEA Awards at the Beverly Hills Hotel
Winner of the coveted “Pizza Spot” at Flappers Comedy Club, Burbank
CREDITS
FILM & TELEVISION APPEARANCES
Gilmore Girls (CW)
The Heart That Sings
Vegas Weddings Unveiled (GSN)
Night of the Boogeyman
Not Taking Orders
NYPD Blue (ABC)
Reservations for Two
Security
“To Life” Chabad Telethon
When Hidden Cameras Attack (Fox)
Multiple commercials
CORPORATE CLIENTS (select)
Bridgestone/Firestone (SEMA Auto Show)
Disney Parks & Resorts
FN PLATFORM
Microsoft (Comdex)
SAP Canada (CES)
U.S. Foodservice
Verizon Wireless
BANQUETS & PRIVATE EVENTS (select)
MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas (Featured Magician/ Entertainer, VIP Loyalty Party)
Excalibur Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, (Emcee, multiple VIP parties and casino slot tournament parties)
Mandalay Bay Convention Center (Host, live comedy talk show)
Aish Institute, North Hollywood
Las Vegas Town Club, The Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
Or Hachaim Academy Annual Banquet, Valley Village, CA
Pacifica Senior Living, Santa Clarita CA
Shaarey Zedek “Men’s Club” Dinner, N. Hollywood
The Purim Comedy Show, Young Israel of Los Angeles
The Chanukah Magic Show, Young Israel of Northridge
Young Israel Annual Gala, Las Vegas
COMEDY CLUBS (abridged list)
Boomers Humors, Las Vegas
Comedy Stop, Las Vegas
Dick Dougherty’s Comedy Vault, Boston
Flappers, Burbank, CA
Ha Ha Café, North Hollywood
I.O.West, Hollywood
Laugh Trax, Las Vegas
Nick’s Comedy Stop, Boston
Riviera Comedy Club, Las Vegas
The Comedy Connection, E. Providence, RI
The Comedy Store, Hollywood
The Ice House, Pasadena, CA
The Second City, Las Vegas
CHARITY EVENTS
“Conjuring for a Cure” (The Michael J. Fox Foundation), Valencia CA
“Pilot Program Comedy” Nellis Air Force Base, NV
"Comedy Night" Chabad of Santa Clarita Valley
The Assisted Living Program, Patient and Resident Entertainment (Multiple venues & locations, CA)
"Resident Magic" Atria, Santa Clarita
“To Life” Chabad Telethon
Toras Hashem “Comedy Night” Fundraisers, North Hollywood