Justin Willman
Magic acts don’t often make audiences gasp, laugh and cry, but throughout its three seasons on Netflix, “Magic for Humans” has delivered equal parts bewildering sleight of hand and genuine emotion. Now Justin Willman is bringing his humorous and heartfelt street magic series to the Theatre at Ace Hotel.
How did you get into magic?
I was 12. I was riding my bike while also wearing rollerblades, because I was trying to look cool and do something unique. Then I fell and broke both my arms, which made me very unique. My doctor randomly noticed that I liked when this magician came to town and encouraged me to do card tricks as physical therapy. And I’ve been doing that ever since — though, I will say, my left arm could still use a little better rotation. I love spreading the love of doing magic, even as a hobbyist, and shattering what people think a magic show is. Like, it isn’t always done by somebody on a stage in a tux or in an evening gown. It can pop up when you least expect it. But most of all, I love the idea of making magic feel as everyday as possible, and the subtle message behind trying to capture that in the series is to remind you that there is magic all around us, even as we’re going to work, doing laundry, living our lives on autopilot.
You have a recurring segment in which you perform for people specifically named Susan (including Susan Sarandon). How do you identify them?
Sometimes they have a look: wearing a fanny pack and a purse and a backpack, writing a check in the grocery store … . [Laughs.] We’ve maybe found one or two naturally on the street. But once I realized there’s something special about Susans, I don’t know what it is, we were then desperately seeking Susans, and Craigslist was the way to go. “Is your name Susan? Do you want to make 40 bucks and get a free lunch? Meet us in Echo Park.” Down the sidewalk, we’ll have a few Susans on deck. Someone checks their IDs so they’re all legit; sometimes they go by Sue but, in their hearts, they’re really Susans.
A standout episode involved your late mother, who was struggling with Alzheimer’s. Were you nervous about sharing this part of your life onscreen?
It only makes sense to make it as authentic as possible. At that time, what was weighing on my head and heart every day was this Alzheimer’s struggle, something you don’t tend to naturally bring up when you talk to people because you don’t want to bum them out, but then you end up feeling so alone. When I started sharing more about it, people I knew started telling me that they’re going through the same thing, and I had no idea. I’m glad it resonated with people. And if anything, it’s a reminder to live in the moment, to hug and kiss and say the things that you want to say to the people in your life while you can.
Will you be making people cry at your L.A. show? It’s never my goal! I want to make people feel things, mostly laughter and amazement. But like the series, the climax of the show might hit you in an emotional way.
Justin Willman performs at 7 p.m. at the Theatre at Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway