Catch Me or I Go Houdini: Elaborate escapes kept prestidigitation pro bound to KC
Completed Houdini trick. // Photo by River Louraine
If you ask someone, anyone from any generation, to name a magician off the top of their head, an incredibly likely and popular answer will be the world-renowned magician, escape artist, and “self-liberator” Harry Houdini. After reaching success in Vaudeville in the late 1800s, Houdini’s career spiraled into death-defying escape attempts.
Despite having passed 100 years ago this Oct. 31—that’s right; this magician capable of terrifying acts died on Halloween—the name ‘Houdini’ is so synonymous with his performances that it’s become its own verb, meaning to escape a difficult situation quickly.
On Sept. 11, the local chapters of the Society of American Magicians, the oldest organization for magicians in North America, and the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the world’s largest organization for magicians and magic enthusiasts, came to Kansas City for a very special reason; it turns out, Houdini performed in KC multiple times throughout his career, and even performed his very first public suspended straitjacket escape on Sept. 8, 1915.
5,000 Kansas Citians flooded the streets to watch this feat, and it was so popular that Houdini performed it almost 80 times throughout his career. These two prestigious magic societies commemorated the performance by unveiling a new marker in the courtyard at 10th and Main, where Houdini first performed the escape 111 years ago.
Before this magical event, John Cox, the leading authority on all things Houdini, flew in from his home in Los Angeles to give a lecture on Houdini’s history at the Kansas City Public Library on Sept. 10. This is where we learned that Houdini got his big break in Vaudeville at the Orpheum Theater, had a “rivalry” with his brother/impersonator at two separate venues in KC on the same night, and that Houdini returned to Kansas City to do his suspended straitjacket trick again—only this time, he increased the original distance and performed this escape from 100 feet off the ground.
Historical archives
Cox also gave Kansas City the highest honor: an official five-out-of-five-star Houdini city rating. Houdini visited the city multiple times throughout his career, performed three of his most crowd-pleasing tricks (a jail escape, an underwater escape in a KC pool, and that infamous suspended straitjacket escape), and we still have a theater where he performed. While Mainstreet Theater is no longer open for business, this building, originally constructed in 1921, still stands tall in the Power & Light district.
At the marker unveiling, Kelly Rusk, current president of the I.B.M., Ring 129, read a proclamation from Mayor Quinton Lucas declaring September 2026 officially ‘Harry Houdini Month.’
“Harry Houdini is memorable because he revolutionized the art of escape and illusion, becoming one of the most famous magicians in history.”
David Sandy, former president of I.B.M. and lifetime member of both magic organizations, said, “When it comes to being an escape artist, there was really no one of any notoriety before Houdini. He kind of invented this whole category of entertainment for thrill seekers.” Sandy also said that nowadays with TV specials, viewers at home can rest assured knowing the production company wouldn’t air somebody getting hurt–or worse. 100 years ago, however, Houdini’s audience had no guarantee he’d live through his next escape attempt. They watched with bated breath, hoping this wasn’t going to be the final performance.
“There was a real sense of fear that this man could die doing this stuff, hanging upside down in a tank of water, confined,” Sandy continued. “You can only hold your breath for a couple of minutes. What if he doesn’t get out?” Houdini’s famous tagline echoed this sentiment: “Failure means a drowning death.”
The pièce de résistance of this marker event was that Lance Rich, a magician and escape artist from Kentucky, had the honor of performing the suspended straitjacket escape in the same spot Houdini did over 100 years ago, and the pre-show jitters were definitely making their own appearance.
Redoing the Houdini trick. // Photo by River Louraine
“I’m a little nervous,” Rich said the day before the event. “And it’s not the escape itself that makes me nervous. It’s the idea that it feels like hallowed ground in a way. I’m doing this in the footsteps, or straps, so to speak, of this guy, you know? And that’s a little intimidating.”
In true magic-show fashion, Sandy pulled two volunteers from the crowd to help strap Rich up in the straitjacket, and showed the rest of the audience it was tight and secure. Sandy showed us the ends of the sleeves, confirming that both were completely sewn shut. Rich was then lifted about a foot off the ground, upside down and dangling for all of us to see.
The air was thick with tension, but also with shouts of encouragement as the performer struggled and wrestled with his confinement. It was just like Sandy had said; we had no real confirmation that this was going to be successful. It was a hot day, the sun beating down on us, and here was Rich, blood rushing to his head and sweat beading on his brow in that leather contraption, attempting something unthinkable to the rest of us.
Thankfully, we all cheered as Rich escaped the straitjacket in less than five minutes, bowing upside down and then right side up after being released from the bar he was hooked to. A proud smile spread across his face, as he had successfully completed the same escape that Houdini championed so long ago in the exact same spot.
“They talked about how this is the centenary of his death, and there are multiple events marking that occasion,” John Cox said after the performance. “What I like about this occasion is it’s the only one celebrating his life.”
The local chapters of the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians meet on the first and third Thursday of every month at Westport Bowery, and they put on a performance every other month there. The current presidents of the organizations encouraged all magic lovers to join them; whether you’re already a pro, just starting to learn, or just like to watch a magic show, you are welcome there. You can find more information on the Kansas City Magic Showcase Facebook page.
