January 9, 2010 - The Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Israel presents The Comedy and Magic of Harry Maurer. Houston resident and world-renowned comedian/magician Harry Maurer will make a rare hometown appearance at Congregation Beth Israel performing a fundraising event on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 8:30 p.m., benefitting the Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Israel. Tickets start at just $36. Call 713-777-4315.

When Harry Maurer steps onstage, magic happens -- cards appear in a flash of fire, borrowed objects vanish and reappear, but more than that, Harry Maurer is an engaging personality who carefully blends magic, comedy and audience participation, interspersed with large illusions into his show, which makes his performances intimate, yet grand. Nominated for a prestigious Atlantic City Entertainer of the Year Award, Harry is a friendly magician with a quick wit and a charming personality who knows how to get around audiences. His charm and skill at getting people involved in the show provides audiences with the kind of entertainment they cannot get on television.

Las Vegas Entertainment Today says: “His easy manner with the audience combined with a magical skill second to none, is what the audience remembers after the curtain goes down.” Harry’s grandfather introduced him to magic at the age of five by producing coins out of his ears, and thus began his life long journey of studying and performing magic. After performing his first nightclub show at the age of 13, Harry joined a local group of young, performers called "Show Biz Kids" who entertained at fairs, schools and retirement communities throughout his home state of New Jersey. As his talents grew, he honed his solo act by entertaining on weekends in local restaurants.

"I would go from table-to-table performing magic for six hours a day!", Harry confides, "This was my proving ground -- I learned a lot about what people like and what they don't like, and what it takes to entertain them!"

Determined to be a professional magician, Harry re-arrange his High School class schedule so that he could perform the matinee show at a nightclub at the New Jersey shore. He continued juggling school and work throughout his college years by studying theater by day at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and entertaining at night at the Playboy Club in New York City.

It was an exciting time -- being taught by Broadway acting coaches, scenic and lighting designers and costumers during the day and performing two shows each night (three on weekends) in New York City. The Playboy Club gave him the opportunity to work closely with and to learn from professional entertainers every night! In a mere two years he performed over 1,300 shows at the New York Playboy Club -- more shows than any other solo entertainer!

His “big break” came in 1982 when he was selected to tour for nine months with Joey Bishop, Jackie Vernon and other top in a show called "Tribute to Vaudeville." When the hit show opened in Atlantic City, it sold out its nearly 2,000 seats per day for four more months which quickly brought Harry to the attention of many Atlantic City and Las Vegas producers.

Harry Maurer soon became a much sought after nightclub and cruise ship entertainer, and at the age of 25, he hosted and performed two shows nightly at the Golden Nugget Hotel, which garnered him his first nomination for the prestigious "Atlantic City Entertainer of the Year Award". Since that time Harry has entertained in more than half of the Casino Showrooms in Atlantic City.

A hard worker, Harry has led a diverse career opening for such stars as The Supremes, Rita Rudner, Billy Ekstein, Rich Jeni, Rosie O’Donnell, Frankie Avalon and others. He was the first magician to perform magic at a professional football game during the half-time show of the Giants vs. Cardinals game in 1976 for a live audience of over 60,000 people!

Harry Maurer is a preferred spokes-performer for numerous companies and corporations -- not only at conventions and trade shows, but in original trade show films and television commercials. Among the corporate awards he has won include "Best Convention Booth" at the New Jersey Builders Association Convention, and "Best Television Commercial" for the National Association of Printers.

Harry Maurer and his wife Carol-Ann reside in Houston, Texas and spend an average of 47 weeks each year entertaining around the world.

Fun, but never offensive, his performances are the perfect blend of magic, comedy and audience participation

Harry Maurer presents a show that must not be missed!

Please join your friends for a fun filled evening on Saturday, January 9 at 8:30 p.m. Harry Maurer, a magician with a quick wit and charming personality, will perform. His performances blend magic and comedy together. A dessert reception will follow.

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Source: THE HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE : http://www.artshound.com/event/detail/35023/The_Comedy_and_Magic_of_Harry_Maurer