OREM, Utah -- Timothy Riggs could probably work in Las Vegas as a magician year round.

During the past 15 years, he's done 5,000 shows in a wide variety of venues. He's performed tricks on ABC, NBC and Fox television. He typically gets picked up for a morning TV appearance once or twice a year.

He does tricks. He does illusions. He makes objects disappear and reappear.

But when he examined his choices, this Mormon dad decided to keep his day job and stay off the road and at home with his family.

"Years ago, I looked at taking the show to Vegas but that's rough on family life," Riggs said. "A lot of people who've seen my show suggest I do that but I'm a real family guy."



Riggs works consistently in Utah at amusement parks, stadiums, night clubs, parties, fairs and magic conventions. He was the magician at the Utah Fun Dome for five years. He's performed his magic at Lagoon and currently appears regularly at Hollywood Connections in West Valley, Utah.

Riggs is also an electrical engineer for L3 Communications.

He combines a generous amount of funny business into his routines: When he cuts up a lady, he dresses like a mad scientist. When he performs Houdini's escape tricks, he comes out as a cow.

"Timothy has a light-hearted touch and comic manner that is really appealing," said Adam Robertson, CEO for SCERA Center for the Arts. "His is a magic show that is unique and appropriate for family audiences."

"I typically shun the serious magician persona and prefer to do a lot of off-the-wall, comedy-based entertainment," Riggs said. "I'd much rather see the audience laugh at me or something funny in my act than have them convinced I'm the most powerful or magical person in the world."

Riggs comes by magic naturally.

Born and raised in Provo, Utah, Riggs was 8 when he learned his first trick. He was 13 when magician Paul Brewer noticed his intense interest and made him his apprentice.

He did magic all through high school and created a full-length show in college.

As a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he performed for the community. Today, as Scoutmaster in his Taylorsville ward, he keeps his skills sharp showing off for the boys, he says.

Riggs is known for involving members of his audience, often levitating a volunteer.

He's also a juggler, but instead of balls or fruit, he juggles things like bowling balls, fire torches and sharp swords.

He hasn't made a jetliner vanish yet, mostly because he'd need a much larger hall.
"The scale of the show is quite large," he said.

His most memorable performance happened when he was booked at the Salt Palace for a trade show. He ended up on a stage in the middle of the hall and had to perform complicated magic tricks with an audience watching from all sides.

"That's tough on a magician," he said. "For one thing, which audience do you project to?"

More information about Riggs can be found at utahmagician.com.


E-mail: shaddock@desnews.com