PCA Catches Up with Misty Lee!

Los Angeles based magician Misty Lee becomes the first woman Resident Medium at the Magic Castle

Misty Lee is absolutely one of the most delightful individuals that I have ever encountered on my pop culture adventures.  As funny as she is alluring, Misty has a genuine quality that makes strangers feel comfortable, but also has a blunt no nonsense honesty that often makes her as controversial as she is clever.  A truly multi-talented entertainer, Misty Lee is most famous for being one of Los Angeles’ most popular female magicians, but along with conjuring up illusions, Misty is a comedian, singer, and voice actress.  This November Misty will be adding another prestigious, and somewhat unusual, credit to her growing resume as she becomes the first woman ever to hold a position as a Resident Medium at Los Angeles’ fabled Magic Castle.  Misty has put together a new show which will “conjure up” the spirit of the legendary Harry Houdini, as well as other spirits that live within the famous private club for magicians.  I always cherish every opportunity that I get to catch up with Misty Lee, but was especially pleased to be able to talk to her about her upcoming gig as the Magic Castle’s newest medium.

Sam Tweedle:  So you have a new regular gig at the Magic Castle.

Misty Lee:  I do!  I’m really stoked about it.

Sam:  Have you started it yet?

Misty:  Yes.  As a matter of fact I’ve done two Séances.

Sam:  So before you tell us about what you do, can you give us some back ground on what the Magic Castle is?

Los Angeles' fabled Magic Castle

Misty:  The Magic Castle is kind of America’s magical headquarters.  It’s a Victorian mansion that has been converted into a private club for people who perform and/or love magic here in Los Angeles. It has multiple performance areas, so on any given night you may go into the Magic Castle and watch all types of magic – from cards and coins to full stage illusions.  And the performers change week to week, so there’s constant variety.

Sam:  So if it is a private club, how can somebody traveling to Los Angeles get in?

Misty:  There are three ways to get in.  One is to be invited, which means you get a pass from a member and are granted access for one evening.  Another is to join the club.  Both magicians and non-magicians are welcome to join.  The third way is to book a Houdini Séance.  It’s the one way people can gain one-evening access as a non-member.

Sam:  So tell me what you are doing.

Misty performs her new show amongst original objects owned by master magician Harry Houdini

Misty:  It’s so awesome, Sam – I’m so excited!  I’m one of the Mediums for the Houdini Séance!  That could probably stand some explanation.  The Magic Castle has a room full of Houdini memorabilia… 

Sam:  And it’s the real stuff?

Misty:  It is!  Handcuffs, correspondence, some show posters, and his actual magic wand are in there.  Houdini’s metamorphosis trunk and some things that belonged to his wife Beatrice in there, too.  It’s a wonderful collection of memorabilia.  That room, which is circular and located in one of the turrets of the mansion, is where we hold what is called the Houdini Séance.  Everyone sits around a table, joins hands and we conjure up the spirit of Houdini.

Sam:  Do you really conjure up the spirit of Houdini?

Misty:  You have to come and find out!

Sam:  So you are the first woman to be doing the Séance at the Magic Castle?

Misty:  I am the first female Resident Medium.  Other women have come and done single shows, but I’m the first girl house Medium the Castle’s had in fifty years.  At least that’s what they tell me.

Sam:  So what took them so long?

Misty:  They were waiting for me.

Sam:  Well how is your show different?

The Magic Castle's Resident Medium Leo Kostka in the Houdini Room: "We’ve really enjoyed collaborating. He has been a tremendous resource - he’s a walking Ghost Show encyclopedia!"

Misty:  I ‘ll answer that by telling you how I got the job – it’s quite unique.  I was actually brought in because a few years ago I did a theatrical séance for the bonus features on the Poltergeist 25^th Anniversary DVD.   I use the word theatrical because I do not really speak to the dead.  I make it clear that this is just a show, because saying otherwise for me would be unethical.  Anyway, word of the Poltergeist job got down to a friend of mine, Tom, who does a lot of engineering work at the Magic Castle.  He was working on revamping the Houdini show with the Senior Resident Medium, Leo Kostka.  Now, at this time, Leo had been the Resident Medium at the Magic Castle for thirty years.  Just Leo and nobody else.  So Tom’s daughter London is a magic student of mine, and she was talking to her Dad about some creepy things that I’ve been working on and he kind of raised an eyebrow and said “She might be a good consultant to bring in on the Séance.”  Tom called and asked if I’d watch the séance and help them ‘creep it up’ a little bit.  So I went and watched Leo and I enjoyed his show.  At the end of the show Tom, Leo, and I chatted a bit, and I inquired as to why the show was so Houdini-based, because so many amazing magicians that have floated in and out of that Castle have passed away, and the Séance could pay homage to and perpetuate the wonderful history of the Academy of Magical Arts itself, bringing back some of the Magic Castle members who have been residents here and their stories.”  Tom responded by immediately dragging me downstairs to Milt Larsen, who co-created the Magic Castle.  He said “Ask Milt the same thing you asked me.”  So I did, and Milt said, “Good question.  Put it together.  I want to see it in a month.”

Sam:  Whoa!

Max Maven, Master of Dark Magic: "When you get notes from a genius you take them and you incorporate them."

Misty:  I KNOW!  I said, “Wait a minute – I’m not after Leo’s job!” and Milt said, “I’m not giving you Leo’s job.  Leo does his show, and you’ll do yours.  Put it together, and I want to see it in a month.”  So I immediately enlisted Leo’s help because he’s such an expert, and I always prefer to work as a team.  Competition wasn’t an option – that’s not who Leo is, and that’s not who I am, and we’ve really enjoyed collaborating.  He has been a tremendous resource – he’s a walking Ghost Show encyclopedia!  So about three weeks ago I did my “audition” for Milt and Dale Hindman, who is a former president of the Magic Castle.  There was a roomful of people.  Leo was there too with his wife Dawn, Tom was there, my husband Paul and our friend Mark Nelson were there, and Max Maven, who is a very well-renowned magician of the dark arts and the bizarre, was there as well.  I did the audition, and afterward Milt said. “Congratulations.  You’ve got the job.” I have gone back and forth from really freaked out to really excited.  After the show, Max spent about two hours with me – he had some wonderful notes and he really threw the gauntlet.  He said,” You’re good, and here are twenty ways you can be even better.”  Max doesn’t suffer fools gladly.  He is brilliant, and he is an historian, and he knows the facts.  He was tactful and so helpful – he pointed out logic problems in the show, and fixed them on the spot.  It was nice, because he did not change the emphasis of the show.  The notes were just a simple line here and there.  I am very grateful to have Max’s input.  When you get notes from a genius you take them and you incorporate them. He’s an expert and he was so generous with his time.

Sam:  Who are some of the other magicians that you have incorporated into your show?

Along with the spirit of Houdini, Misty Lee conjures up the ghost of Dai "The Professor" Vernon

Misty:  The Magic Castle ghosts that I have in the current version of the show are Don Lawton, who was a host at the Magic Castle and was very well known and loved; Billy McComb, who was a comedy magician, and “The Professor” Dai Vernon.  The Professor was one of the most amazing card guys in history.  Here’s something that would be interesting to you since you are Canadian:  Doug Henning received a grant from the Canadian government to come down to Los Angeles to study with The Professor.  He was that famous.  The Professor used to joke that “just proves the Canadian government will pay for anything.”  But he was being modest.  The Professor is the only magician who ever fooled Houdini. 

Sam:  How long will you be doing this gig?

Misty:  That’s up to the Magic Castle.  I love doing what I do and I’ll do it as long as they’ll have me.

Sam:  You’ve been doing magic for a while.  Is this gig the zenith of your career?

Misty:  I will tell you this: When I walked into the Magic Castle for the very first time, I walked up the stairs and saw Leo, who had been conducting a séance that evening and had come out to meet his guests.  I said, “Who’s that guy, and what is he doing?” and the person who hosted my visit said, “That’s Leo, the Medium for the Houdini Séance room.”  I said, “Ooh – I want to do THAT.”  My host started laughing and said, “Oh, that’s a pretty closed gig.  Milt hand-picks the Mediums, and that’s Leo’s thing.  He’s been doing it for thirty years, and they’re NOT hiring.”  I said “But…” and they said, “Not an option.”  So I put it out of my mind, and until Tom called, it was not something I was working toward.  Whether this is the zenith of my career I don’t know, but I DO know is that I’m super happy to be here and am thrilled for the opportunity.  I never expected this, I’m honored, and I’m just enjoying the ride.

It is no wonder that Misty Lee is a success at everything she does.  Not only does she collaborate with the best individuals in the business, but she builds on their experiences with her own brand of charm and cleverness.  Lots of people are smart, but it is far rare a quality to be truly clever, and that’s one trick that Misty has become a true expert at.

For more information on the Magic Castle, visit their web-site at www.magiccastle.com