For performer Justin Kredible, pleasing the audience doesn’t come through outrageous stunts or over-the-top jokes. Instead, the comedian-magician hybrid pokes fun at his own craft while using simple magic to keep the audience entertained.
When Associated Students Inc. presents Kredible Wednesday, the audience shouldn’t expect a conventional magic show. With a similar act to famous comedic magicians Penn and Teller, Kredible performs a unique, almost satirical style of magic. In essence, he is the antithesis of David Copperfield.
“My approach to magic is pretty tongue-in-cheek with hip and edgy undertones,” said Kredible in a statement made to the Mustang Daily. “USA Today called it ‘like a magician, but cooler,’ which really sums it up.”
In recent years, Kredible has established himself as a premiere entertainer, with appearances on a slew of networks including NBC, CBS, FOX and MTV. He is best known as a regular guest correspondent on the “Rachel Ray Show.” This past summer, he co-starred in the MTV show “Room 401” and was a guest star on the hit show “Gilmore Girls.” He is the host and creator of the video on-demand series “Turning Tricks,” which airs on the Lifeskool network.
Last April he traveled with singer/songwriter Jason Mraz as the opening act for the North American “Music, Magic and Make Peace” tour, which also featured bands “Bushwalla” and “The Marketplace Brothers,” where he both performed and hosted.
Kredible, who was a student when he started performing, has been touring colleges for six years. He is extremely popular with the college crowd, who apparently can’t get enough of him.
He was voted “Entertainer of the Year” in 2007 and 2008 by readers of Campus Activities Magazine and hopes to retain the title this year.
Kredible is currently making stops at universities across the United States. Despite his rigorous college-performance schedule, he is ecstatic about the opportunity to perform at Cal Poly.
“This will not only be my first show at Cal Poly, but my first performance in San Luis Obispo,” Kredible said. “I can’t wait… I love visiting campuses that I’ve never been to.”
ASI has enjoyed success by bringing magicians to Cal Poly in recent years. Last year, magician “Mike Super” attracted 700 students to his performance. A similar turnout is expected Thursday.
According to ASI special events supervisor Dana Matteson, magicians have always been popular with Cal Poly students. “Justin Kredible brings a sense of comedy with his magic act, which will set him apart from other comedians and magicians and hypnotists that we’ve had in the past,” she said.
The performance will take place at 8 p.m. in Chumash Auditorium. It is free for students with a Poly I.D. card and $10 for the public.