By Lance Burton

The past 11 years seems like it's been a roller coaster ride for my show at the Monte Carlo.

Opening night on June 21st , 1996 and the 10th anniversary on June, 21st, 2006 were two of the most memorable evenings for me. Celebrating the show's opening and the 10th anniversary of the success of my show "Lance Burton: Master Magician" and the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino was a dream come true. I recall hundreds of VIPs, my colleagues in the magic world, my employees, the media and hotel-casino executives on two of the most festive nights of my life. It was also gratifying that my family could be with me.

During the past 11 of the 25 years that I've been performing in Las Vegas, I've had the opportunity to produce and own five TV specials: "On the Road," "The Encounter," "The Legend Begins," "Top Secret" and "Young Magician's Showcase."  Stay tuned because they will be airing again. They've aired on NBC, FOX Family and ABC Family networks but are ready for an entirely new viewer-ship.  The three most unforgettable minutes on my stage occurred when I did "The Death Tank" for "The Encounter" before a live audience. It was the most breath-taking and breath-holding escape that I've ever done while submerged in a tank full of water (the size of a telephone booth). I had to get out alive but the tank was chained and locked shut while I was strapped into a regulation straitjacket. It was such a surreal experience as the audience sat on the edge of their seats.  In "Top Secret" they allowed me to sit in the cockpit of the B-2 Stealth Bomber."

One of the neatest things about performing in a top hotel on The Las Vegas Strip was the celebrities who came to my show and I was able to meet.  Carl Reiner was filming "Ocean's 11" and came in by himself to see the show. Film legend Tony Curtis who played Houdini came to the show and joined me on stage while I did the upside down straitjacket escape dedicating the Houdini commemorative stamp for the United States Postal Service. Diane Keaton was one of the most recent stars to see the show with her grandchildren.  I never thought I'd be on "America's Most Wanted" but John Walsh invited me to co-host the show.  The late Don Knotts was one of my favorites and also had seen me at the Hacienda (currently Mandalay Bay). Nicholas Cage, Dana Carvey, Flavor Flay, Shaquille O'Neal, Criss Angel, Wayne Brady, Pete Rose, Arnold Schwarzenegger,  Maria Shriver, Michael Jackson, Bruce Willis, Steve Martin, Hugh Jackman and Hugh O'Brian were some of the famous who took in my magic show.

We won some awards! I received "Best Entertainer," "Best Showroom," "Best Value," "Best Family Show" and "Best Magician" numerous times.  It was gratifying to be so recognized by the critics in the media. I also treasure awards from The Shriners, the Variety Club and Optiminists International along with many other charitable organizations.  The real reward was giving back!

Working in a theatre that was built for my show gave me the real ability to develop my craft. I was able to develop new illusions and some really worked out well while others just did OK for awhile but weren't quite right. You might say The Lance Burton Theatre is a proving ground for illusions. "The Magic Zone" is a one-act play that runs six minutes where people appear and disappear.  "The Solid Gold Lady" is what I jokingly refer to as the most expensive illusion in the history of magic where I attempt to make $10 million in gold bricks and coins disappear. It took five years of research and development to bring this illusion to the stage.  I'll never forget when I asked the hotel president Randy Morton to let me use $10 million in gold. He said, 'You have to return it each evening.' I think it will be around 100 years from now. I know that the Monte Carlo has to have the best security."

The weather has been unforgettable on two occasions.  The only time I canceled a show in the 11 years was because of heavy rains causing floods trapping my cast and crew in the Northwest. The other time was on January 2nd, 2006 during the Rose Bowl Parade. It hadn't rained on the parade since 1955 and I was shivering from over four inches of cold rain. But FTD won 1st prize.

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Monte Carlo Resort & Casino