David Kaplan LIVE (Penguin LIVE)

A captivating blend of magic, music, and juggling, filled with delightful surprises.

“It felt so good to forget everything and laugh.” – Carolyn Gabric, Stark Soil and Water Banquet, Navarre, OH

– The Athens Post – Shannon Ruempler, Special Events Chair – Denison University

What Will He Teach?

In his Penguin Live lecture, Dave Kaplan showcases his distinctive magic style, starting with an explosive introduction. His performances are characterized by whimsical surprises, such as pulling a coat rack from a paper bag to hang his jacket. These unexpected moments, along with his quirky props like homemade hypno-glasses, make him a standout magician.

Prepare to be amazed as he demonstrates how to produce any named card from your shoe or pluck a coin from his beard, rolling it across his knuckles before laying it down at your command.

Kaplan’s innovative take on classic tricks, like the color-changing knives, culminates in a surprising twist where both knives vanish, only to be followed by a live fish flopping on stage as he attempts to catch it.

His juggling skills are equally impressive, as he juggles ping-pong balls with his mouth, leading to a continuous production that ends with a live baby chick. The Great Kaplan keeps audiences guessing with his unique blend of juggling, magic, and humor, whether he’s balancing a cane, burning a borrowed bill, or playing a tune on a turkey baster. This lecture is your gateway to experiencing his extraordinary talent.

Who Is He?

The Great Kaplan is a master juggler, magician, inventor, musician, and deadpan comedian, bringing his one-man show to P3 Magic Theater. His performances combine illusion, music, juggling, and comedy in a delightful vaudevillian style. As “the Great Kaplan,” he portrays a sincere performer who finds himself hilariously entangled in the universe’s unpredictable antics.

His impressive resume includes a recent guest performance as a balloon artist with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and appearances on ABC’s “The View” and TNN’s “The Statler Brothers Show.” Kaplan has headlined internationally, performing in theaters and on major cruise lines from Alaska to the Mediterranean and Tahiti. He has shared the stage with legends like Steven Wright, Bobby Vinton, David Spade, Leon Redbone, David Brenner, Harry Blackstone Jr., and the Smothers Brothers.

Inspired by comedic icons such as Buster Keaton, Peter Sellers, and the Smothers Brothers, Kaplan’s greatest achievement is emerging from each performance unscathed! His accolades include a first-place medal at the Canton Battle of Magicians, the “People’s Choice” award at the 2006 International Brotherhood of Magicians Convention, and the prestigious Mandrake d’Or in Paris in 2010.