JULY 2019 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 13
MASTER OF ILLUSION
What is it about the craft of magic
and the allure? For me, magic is not
about how I do it. It is more about how
you feel when you watch it. Do you
feel like crying? Do you feel excited?
Are you scared? What kind of thrill
does it give you?
Can you give us a teaser of what
fans can expect at your show? My
goal is to create a roller-coaster ride
of excitement of twists and turns. To
keep people invested emotionally and
keep a connection. Keep the show
constantly changing and transforming
so they don’t know what is going
to happen.
You seem to have this power over
people. How does that make you
feel? When you see a girl that comes
up to you that has 19 tattoos that are
Criss Angel it really boggles your
mind. When you have guys coming
up to you — and I have met so many
on this tour — with tattoos of you it
really blows your mind because I’ve
connected to them.
What is the most dangerous thing
that you have ever done? I have
done a lot of things on television that
have put me in the hospital. When I
do the show Raw there are inherent
dangers that can kill me or injure me
seriously in the show. I do it because
that is what the audience comes to
expect from me.
When you are so focused during
a performance, is the audience
ever distracting? The energy of the
audience is just insane. I love people
standing up. I love the craziness of it.
Any favorite places you
like to go on LI? I am a
pizza connoisseur. I go
Out East to this pizza
joint called Cafe Gia.
There is also one by my
mom’s house called Two
Brothers Pizza. It's my
favorite pizza.
I wanted to congratulate
you on the birth of
your second son and
the wonderful news
that your oldest boy is
cancer free. Can you
tell us a little bit about
your son's charity, the
Johnny Crisstopher
Children's Charitable
Foundation? One child
every two minutes dies of cancer. I
have been working with kids since
2001 and had a passion for kids
that are going through pediatric
cancer. Then I had my own son; before
he was 2 years young, he was
diagnosed with pediatric cancer. He
went through three years of chemo
treatment every day, spinal taps,
blood transfusions, all sorts of horrible
things. Now he is in remission
for almost six months. Thank God,
and that is beautiful and we just
hope and pray he remains there
for the rest of his life. I know that
he will.
How has this experience changed
you? I just dedicated my life, even
more, to try and raise awareness
and money for pediatric cancer. I
have raised millions of dollars with
100 percent of every cent I raise
going to research and treatment
for pediatric cancer. If people
want more information they
can go to crissangel.com.
Is there anything else you
want to share with your fans
here on Long Island? When
I talk about Long Island in my
show there are always people
in the audience that scream that
they are from Long Island so we
all have a connection no matter
where I am. If I am in Las Vegas
or on Broadway, Long Island is
always the most special place
in my heart and I am just so
grateful to have been born on
Long Island and have had the
experience of growing up on
Long Island.
Criss Angel RAW - The Mindfreak Unplugged.
Criss Angel already showing signs at age one - of
his talent - balancing on his father's hands. Photo
credit: Criss Angel Studios
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