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I.B.M. Ring 362
The Maine Mystics
Bangor, Maine |
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Ring Event Report
September 8, 2007
Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition
The first annual Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition was held at the All Souls Congregational Church in Bangor on September 8, 2007, at 7:00 pm.
Four contestants performed silently before a panel of three judges:
| Nancy Andrews | | College of the Atlantic |
| Joel Richardson | | Acadia Community Theater |
| Erin Uliano | | Program Committee of the Criterion Theatre and Arts Center |
The contestants, in order of performance, were: The Mysterious Baxter, Jev Jesun, Professor Miller, and Danny Adrian Baker.
The judges awarded the following prizes: Professor Miller (center in photo), First Place; Danny Adrian Baker (left), Second Place; and Jev Jesun (right), Third Place.
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A classic performance of the Chinese Rings vaulted Professor Miller to the top at Ring 362's first Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition. The contest honors the memory of Chung Ling Soo, who never spoke in performance, by requiring all contestants to perform without speaking. The rules allowed each contestant up to ten minutes to perform stage magic before a panel of three judges with experience in theater and filmmaking. The contest was held on a small stage at All Souls Congregational Church in Bangor. Proceeds from the event assisted the youth program at All Souls.
Professor Miller's ring routine has been honed by two seasons of weekly performances at Miller & Wilson's Theater of Marvels on Mount Desert Island. Professor Miller's First Place finish, by unanimous decision of the judges, is particularly fitting because the Chinese Rings were the only authentic Chinese magic in the program of Chung Ling Soo (aka William Robinson).
Stellar performances and good sportsmanship marked the first annual Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition. Professor Miller took first, Danny Adrian Baker placed second, and Jev Jesun of Boston placed third. The Mysterious Baxter also competed. The judges were: Joel Richardson, of Acadia Community Theater; Nancy Andrews, of College of the Atlantic; and Erin Uliano of the Program Committee of the Criterion Theatre and Arts Center.
Professor Miller made a cameo appearance during Danny Adrian Baker's performance, silently demanding one of Danny's medals after he dropped a prop with a clang. Danny Adrian Baker operated cue lights and curtain, and several performers assisted Dr. Wilson in sweeping up concrete fragments after Jev Jesun's traditional performance of the Bed of Nails.
