Antonio Díaz makes his Broadway debut on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, bringing to Broadway El Mago Pop, his highly-anticipated special event showcasing his close-up magic and his most unusual and spectacular illusions. For 10 days only, Broadway audiences will have a chance to catch highest grossing European illusionist in the world, with a third performance recently being added on August 26 due to demand.
In the week leading up to his first performance, Díaz took the time to answer 5 questions with Broadway Direct, sharing how he knew at 4 years old that he wanted to be an illusionist, what audiences can expect in El Mago Pop, and the spot in New York City he knows will now stick with him forever.
1. What inspired you to become an illusionist?
When I was 4 years old, a magician pulled a coin out of my ear. I spent four weeks touching my ears, hoping to find more. That sensation I experienced during a magic trick was the feeling I wanted to convey to others. That’s where my obsession with illusionism began. I devoted much of my childhood and adolescence to practicing card tricks, coin tricks, and later I fell in love with theater, and now I dream of putting on grand shows.
2. Who in your field inspires you?
There’s a magician in my country called Maglari, who was my idol when I started in magic as a child. And on an international level, there’s David Copperfield who, along with Harry Houdini, has been the most significant illusionist of all time and has been an inspiration for all illusionists.
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3. What will audiences be most excited about seeing in El Mago Pop?
I believe the most surprising aspect of our show is the blend of spectacular illusions never seen before with countless hours of effort and work. Many of the tricks I perform, I have been doing for many years, putting in a lot of time. I’m also obsessed with rhythm, precision, surprise, and emotion, and I think the show is a journey brimming with exactly all of that. It’s a performance I’ve done thousands of times which means through trial and error I’ve been able to refine it over many years. And honestly, I’m very proud of the show.
4. If you didn’t need to sleep at night, what would you spend your time doing?
I really enjoy seeing shows. I would love to see all the musicals in the world as well as producing, rehearsing new illusions… And in my free time, well, I’m a big fan of movies, I love to travel, I’m into gastronomy, discovering, learning, and anything related to art or learning is something that truly fascinates me.
5. What is your favorite NYC spot?
Well, right now I would say the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. This theatre is going to stay with me for the rest of my life. I hope to have the opportunity to work on Broadway for many years, but it will never be the first time again, and the first time will always be at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. So that theatre becomes a part of my memories of the city, and it will be a place I will always look at with a smile.
You can catch Antonio Díaz in El Mago Pop beginning Thursday, August 17 through August 27 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.