Ohio Northern University's Freed Center for the Performing Arts presents The Spencers' "Theatre of Illusion" at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29.

Rather than centering their performances on baffling with the audience with impossible tricks, Kevin and Cindy Spencer focus on the drama, spectacle, interaction, danger and personality of their show, which separates them from most magicians. The husband-wife duo performs traditional magic stunts, but they do so with their own personal flair, sharing the magical experience through audience participation.

The International Magicians Society (IMS) recently named The Spencers "International Magicians of the Year," the top honor given by the IMS. In receiving this award, The Spencers join the ranks of Doug Henning, Harry Blackstone Jr., Penn & Teller, David Copperfield, and Criss Angel.

The Spencers are the only artists in history to be named "Performing Arts Entertainers of the Year" for a record-breaking six consecutive years; they've also twice been named "America's Best Entertainers."

The Spencers' Theatre of Illusion will perform on the Freed Center stage at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults and seniors and $8 for students and children. The Freed Center box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Phone orders are accepted with American Express, MasterCard, VISA or Discover by calling 419-772-1900. Tickets also are available online at www.freedcenter.com

THE ARTISTS:

KEVIN SPENCER - As many young boys are, Kevin Spencer was intrigued by magic at a very early age. He remembers sitting in front of the television and being fascinated by the magicians he saw there. His parents bought him a magic kit at age eight and he worked hard on each of those tricks, performing them for friends and family.

In the seventh grade, Kevin's focus changed from magic to music. His enchantment and considerable talent with the piano started him on a journey toward becoming a concert pianist. And, then came Doug Henning....

Henning revived the fascination Kevin had with magic and he shared his attention between magic and music throughout high school. Upon graduation, he left home for college, taking his magic and music with him. While attending college in Chattanooga, he worked in one of the local magic shops part-time. This exposed him to new effects and gave him excellent experience in demonstrating them for others.

Visiting his parents in Indiana during a college break, he had the opportunity to catch a Doug Henning performance at the Holiday Star Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana.

He scribbled a note to Mr. Henning asking for a moment of his time following the show. He gave that note to an usher who assured him he would get it backstage. About ten minutes later, the usher returned to tell Kevin that he could meet Mr. Henning at the stage door after the performance. He was ecstatic!

Arriving at the backstage door, he found hundreds of people waiting to see Doug. He asked around and found many of them were from area magic clubs or magicians - many of whom had also forwarded a note to Mr. Henning. Kevin assumed he would not have the opportunity to meet Henning face-to-face and decided to start the long drive home.

Much to his surprise, Henning's road manager came out and asked, "Is Kevin Spencer in the crowd?" Kevin identified himself and was told, "Mr. Henning would like to see you in his dressing room." Kevin was stunned...as were the others waiting to meet Henning.

Kevin was escorted to the dressing room where he spent more than an hour talking with Doug about touring with a large production and life on the road. Henning was warm and personable, just as he had been on stage. He introduced Kevin to his management staff and they invited him to ask any questions he wanted.

It was an extraordinary experience and one Kevin will never forget. Throughout the years of Henning's tours, he always had time to see Kevin and his wife, Cindy, and offer encouragement.

Today, The Spencers tour with one of the largest theatrical illusion shows in the nation. And they are some of the most respected artists in their field. Spencer is the co-founder of Healing of Magic and the author of the Hocus Focus curriculum for special education students.

CINDY SPENCER - Cindy says that performing has always been in her blood, but not necessarily magic. As a child, she was fascinated by the Doug Henning and David Copperfield television shows.

After college, she moved to Dallas, Texas, where she worked for the Zale Corporation as a diamond consultant. Her boyfriend at the time had a roommate named Kevin Spencer who "did a little magic."

She began to help Kevin perform while Stan, her boyfriend, operated his sound and production. Eventually her relationship with Stan came to an amicable end but Cindy continued to help Kevin and says, "We became great friends!" Not long after, they married.

Cindy joined Kevin in the pursuit of this dream. She played a supporting role in the show, making an occasional appearance on stage and managing minimal responsibilities. All that changed in a single day one November. As they were leaving town for a short tour in the Carolinas, the truck that Kevin was driving was struck by a speeding tractor-trailer. This singular moment would have a significant impact on their lives and their career. After several months in physical and occupational therapy, the Spencers would continue to pursue their dream.

However, as a result of this tragic incident, they were forced to make several changes. Kevin could no longer carry the show alone. Cindy would become a key player in the details of the production. They changed their presentations, their choice of illusions.

They studied stagecraft, sought guidance from technical theatre professionals, and from the best in the field of magic. They developed a philosophy that would forever change who they were...and "The Magic of Kevin Spencer" would become "Spencers: Theatre of Illusion."

Cindy is the first woman to be recognized by the International Brotherhood of Magicians and receive her own feature article and cover on the oldest magic magazine in the world, The Linking Ring.