From Snap-Happy Kid to Castle Headliner: A Week of Magic, Mayhem, and Michael Carbonaro

When you perform for your hero...and he doesn't vanish before the photo.

Fifteen shows. One Magic Castle. A thousand emotions (and probably a few confused drunk guests).

This past week, James Knight and I wrapped an unforgettable run at The Magic Castle in Hollywood—and we’re still buzzing from the magic, madness, and meaningful moments.

We were lucky enough to perform for packed audiences made up of friends, family, Castle members, Hollywood’s who's who, and even a few first-timers who had no idea what they were getting into. And when I say friends showed up—they really showed up. Some came to multiple shows during the week (and not just for the Castle fries). Your support meant the world. Thank you.

One of the most touching moments for me was having my Auntie Irene and Uncle Mike come down from Northern California to visit the Castle for the very first time. After the show, Auntie Irene reminded me of two things:

1. That when I was a kid, I was OBSESSED with David Copperfield. I wouldn’t stop talking about how he made the Statue of Liberty disappear on TV.

2. I also snapped my fingers around the house constantly, like I was trying to cast spells on the microwave or something. (Sorry, again, Auntie.)

3. Having Uncle Mike there, her husband and a real-life hero who recently beat cancer’s ass, made the moment even more emotional. I’m beyond grateful for their presence and love.

The week was filled with muggle friends experiencing the Castle for the first time, magician friends supporting us from the back rows (and sometimes multiple rows across multiple nights), and the occasional magically intoxicated audience member who took a detour through the emergency exit and set off the Castle alarm after our show. Because nothing says "ta-da!" like flashing lights and sirens.

We also had the honor (and mild heart attack) of performing our final show for two legends: Michael Carbonaro (yes, THE Carbonaro Effect) and Magic Castle royalty Erika Larsen. Talk about pressure. But we emptied the tank, left it all on the floor, and gave them everything we had. Their kind words after the show will stay with us forever.

And as if that wasn’t enough, Jack Goldfinger, the man who curates the Castle’s talent lineup, came to see us twice. At first, we thought we were in trouble. Turns out? He’s just a big fan. Whew.

Behind every great show is a great team. Thank you to:

• Emma, our stage manager, magician wrangler, and walking toolkit

• Carlos, the quiet storm backstage keeping everything smooth

• The floor managers, valet, bartenders, kitchen staff, and every member of the Castle family who made this week flow

• And a very special thank you to the Queen behind the curtain: Jamie. She came to all 15 shows, took notes, cheered us on, managed us behind the scenes, and sacrificed sleep and sanity to support us. I love you, and we couldn't have done it without you.

Lastly—to my brother in mentalism, James Knight. From a random first meeting to this incredible week onstage together, you’ve become more than a collaborator—you’re family. Here's to more standing ovations, more emergency alarms, and more magical mayhem.

🎉 GIVEAWAY TIME! 🎉

To celebrate the wild ride, I’m giving away an official 12oz insulated Magic Castle cup!(Perfect for coffee, cocktails, or conjuring up good vibes.)

TO ENTER:

1. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook

2. Like the giveaway post (posting soon!)

3. Leave a magic wand emoji in the comments.

4. Tag a friend who loves magic, coffee, or both!

5. Winner announced next week. Who knows, I might even sneak in a bonus surprise.

Thank you for making this week so magical. From fanboy moments to family hugs, it’s a run I’ll never forget.

💜Jonathan Molo The Man in the Purple Suit aka Snap-Happy Kid Turned Castle Headliner