This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with The Amazing Johnathan.
Amazing Johnathan, who performs Tuesdays through Saturdays at 10 p.m. inside Windows at Bally’s Las Vegas, is an eccentric comic magician whose bizarre humor and unscripted antics have earned him widespread recognition as one of the most innovative and unique performers today. He started his professional career as a street performer in San Francisco, turning his boyhood hobby of magic into a full-time job. After polishing is act on Fisherman’s Wharf in the late '70’s, Amazing Johnathan moved onto nightclubs and colleges in the '80’s.
Despite making regular appearances on national television shows, his live shows are what Amazing Johnathan thrives on. He has literally destroyed audiences – and stages – with a style that has been described as a cross between Steve Martin and Alice Cooper. With his impulsive, raw humor and abrasive wit, he keeps audiences on the edge of their seats while exhibiting spontaneous magic and impressive special effects.
In his spare time, Amazing Johnathan enjoys collecting vintage automobiles, which now includes 27 rare sedans, sport cars, coupes and convertibles ranging from a ’32 Pierce Arrow to a range of muscle cars including a ’67 GTO and a ’72 Challenger. In 2013, he plans on completing an in-depth documentary he’s been filming about his life experiences and journey to becoming a Las Vegas comic headliner.