Oh oh it's magic

When thinking about magicians certain names spring to mind such as Harry Houdini, David Copperfield and more recently David Blaine. Two local magicians are hoping to someday be compared to these legends.

Tanner Sommese, a 14 year old from Vernon and Alex Apter, born in Verona but now living in Newton, have been honing their craft by performing at the Sparta Avenue Stage in Sparta.

Getting into magicApter got his first taste of magic at an earlier age.

"There are two parts that got me interested in magic," Apter said. "I got a Lance Burton magic set at the age of four which I really liked but I lost interest in when we moved. About four years ago I watched a few tutorials online as a way to make friends. It was really easy for me to learn in a matter of minutes. I was amazed that I picked it up so easily so I figured 'Why not?' so I just tried to keep getting better and better with my skills. I just started making it into a business and one thing led to another."

Sommese had a similar reason for pursuing magic.

"I just thought that it was a good icebreaker," he explained. "It was a way to introduce myself to people without seeming very sketchy."

Performing in SpartaSommese got started at the Sparta Avenue Stage after a chance meeting with the theater's owner.

"I was interested to see what a professional magic show was like so I went to see one," he said. "When I was there I met Joe Garsetti and he told me about what was happening there and we just clicked."

Apter had a comparable experience to get his start at the Sparta Avenue Stage.

"I went to see a popular magician within the community Wayne Houchin," Apter said. "I saw on Instagram that he was going to be there so I called and reserved a ticket. When I went I got to meet Joe and Diane Garsetti and their son. I talked to them and they told me about the upcoming Halloween show and asked me to perform before show. After that I got involved with their sleight of hand course and really would just hang out and work on it."

Both of these up and comers have unique acts.

"I really focus a lot on portable magic," Apter said. "The things that are close-up, a lot of mentalism and mind magic."

Whereas Sommese take a different approach.

"I like to do the almost personal stuff," he said. "I do magic that makes the audience almost think that they are doing the tricks."

The futureWhile neither has a crystal ball for seeing the future, both know magic will be part of it somehow.

"I think that at the course I'm at, if I play my cards right, no pun intended, I can see it as a career for me," Apter said.

"I could definitely see this becoming a career," Sommese said. "I want to travel the world and show people what a kid from New Jersey can do."