Eric Buss "...after the gig"

Profile by Ilysha Adelstein
M-U-M

In the United States his routine is known as the "the stripping act." The Japanese refer to it as "one who is proud of his hairy chest." In Germany they call it "Ein Hase im der Underhose," translated as "The Rabbit in the Underpants."

But no matter what he's been called (he's a firm believer in the "sticks and stones policy), audiences worldwide have been completely and utterly "wowed" and entertained by Eric Buss' innovative brand of comedy magic, characterized by a far-reaching, universal appeal that few other magicians can claim.

Over the past few years, this 25-year-old sensation has become known in magic circles worldwide for his signature routine entitled "After the Gig," for which he won the Stage Champion of the Year award at the 1995 IBM Convention, and the top prize at the 1999 "Magic Hands" conference in Germany. The concept of "After the Gig" is simple — yet something no other magician has portrayed before with such imagination and finesse. Everyone knows what magicians produce on stage, but Eric gives audiences a peek behind the scenes into the home of a magician after a hard night under the spotlight. As Eric tastefully "disrobes" (that's what he likes to call it) down to his "I LOVE MAGIC" boxer shorts, doves and other magical props mysteriously appear in every article of his clothing. The finale of the act — you guessed it, "Ein Hase im der Underhose."

Many magicians and laymen ask Eric what was the inspiration fo rhis entry into the magical world and the creation of his exceptional, yet slightly off-beat routine. But the story of Eric's entry into the magic world isn't your usual, "I've been infatuated with magic since I was knee high" tale. Although he bought tricks as a young child, he never really was bitten by the proverbial magic bug until a bus-boy stint at a local Pizzeria in his hometown of Tucson, Arizona. A job that, for most high-schoolers, simply is a way to earn gas and beer money, turned into the catalyst for Eric's dream career.

At the pizzeria, a fellow bus-boy named Adrian Van Vactor, was infected by the magic bug and would practice tricks during breaks. Immediately fascinated by the unusual pastime this teenager had picked up, Eric would agree to take on some of Adrian's tables in exchange for informal magic lessons.

"All of the other bus boys thought we were a little, actually a lot, nutty, spending so much of our free time at work doing magic tricks, instead of flirting with the bosses' daughter or stuffing our faces with pizza like they did," says Eric. "But now we are both performing magic full-time, having turned that odd-ball high school pastime into a profession. Who knows where those other guys are now." As if two magicians weren't enough at one small pizzeria, it was there that Eric also met Brian Moore. Brian was another "do anything for a laugh" type of guy and Eric and Brian hit it off immediately.

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