The Sahara Hotel and Casino became the new home for world-class magician Steve Wyrick when he opened his $10-million production show in March of 2000.
Wyrick, who has drawn capacity audiences to his acclaimed show at the Lady Luck since 1998, performs his unique brand of magic in the new, custom-designed $36 million, 950-seat Sahara Theater. The 27,000-square-foot industrial looking showroom is modeled after a rustic airplane hangar, complete with broken out windows and old oil barrels. Corrugated metal walls, diamond-plated flooring and sleek stainless steel bar counters also make the atmosphere a perfect setting for his aviation theme.
"The Sahara is extremely happy to team up with one of the hottest young magicians working today. Steve will deliver a magnificent entertainment experience to our customers while also supporting our value-driven position with a very competitive ticket price. You can't find this combination in Las Vegas any more." - Yale Rowe, Director of Marketing, Sahara
"Playing on the Las Vegas Strip is a dream come true for me. The new Sahara Showroom will allow me to create larger and more spectacular illusions. We're going to attempt things that have never been tried anywhere." - Steve Wyrick
Wyrick's elaborate show with eight dancers focuses on an adventure thrill theme with airplanes, helicopters and motorcycles appearing and disappearing on and off stage in seconds.
Audiences gasp when he walks through the blades of a 16-foot 747-turbine engine while it is emitting 44,000-pounds of thrust. They marvel at the finale when he makes a twin-engine, Beachcraft Baron 58 airplane appear in a split second.
His daring "Blades of Death Challenge" has him chained to a table where he astonishing escapes from beneath six enormous spinning razor -sharp steel saws before they drop on him. This illusion was filmed in Monaco for an ABC special "Champions of Magic," hosted by Princess Stephanie of Monaco and Lorenzo Lamas.
Audience participation happens throughout the show. Wyrick walks through the audience and picks unsuspecting volunteers who are visiting from all over the world to go on stage with him and become part of the show.
The award-winning Wyrick has been honored by such organizations as the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society of American Magicians. A child prodigy, he placed ninth at the Federal Congresso de Magica de Spain when he was just 15 years old.
Wyrick's magical journey in life began as a youngster with all his tricks fitting into a shoebox. It didn't take long before he needed a footlocker and his room became his stage. His childhood dream was to drive around with all of his magic tricks in a cargo van. Now, it takes a crew of 14 to transport and maneuver his stage and scenery.
On a family trip to Las Vegas, Wyrick longed to see Siegfried & Roy's show. He was too young to attend, but not to pose for a family photograph next to the duo's marquee and declare, "One day I'm going to perform here!" Wyrick quickly began winning competitions, both nationally and internationally. In 1984, he won first place in the Texas Association of Magician's competition. The following year, he took first place honors with the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and the Society of American magicians, and he came in ninth internationally in the Federal Congresso De Magica D'Espana competition (the Olympics of magic). He was only 15 years old and on his way.
The first stop on the journey was starring in his own show at the Owens Theater in Branson, Missouri, followed by numerous appearances abroad, including a prestigious tour of Japan. After an engagement as the featured headliner in a major production show for Norwegian Cruise Line, Wyrick decided to find a venue in Las Vegas, where he could expand his show and his horizons. In August 1997, Wyrick opened at the Lady Luck Casino & Hotel in Las Vegas.
Wyrick has appeared in numerous television shows, toured extensively and made appearances in Japan. He also made a command performance for former President Bill Clinton at the White House. One of Wyrick's biggest thrills was being awarded the International Magician's Society "Millennium Magic" award as "Magician of the Year" for 2000.