International Magician of the Year heading to South Lake Tahoe

Rob Lake has performed his illusion shows all over the world, and now he'll be bringing his show over the holidays to the South Shore Room at Harrah's Tahoe from December 22 to January 7.

The 33-year-old Norman, Oklahoma native told South Tahoe Now he's never been to Lake Tahoe before.

"I'm really, really exited," said Lake.

Lake caught the magic bug as a 10-year-old when he saw a magic show with his family. "I knew immediately then and there I was going to be a magician," he said. Lake said most of his training comes from the school and public libraries.

"I devoured everything I could," said Lake.

He started creating large illusions as a kid, and kept them in a notebook. Lake said he is now able to do them and uses his childhood dreams in his act.

At the age of 25 in 2008, Rob became the youngest magician in history to receive the prestigious Merlin Award as 'International Stage Magician of the Year.' This award is considered magic’s highest honor, the industry equivalent of the Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards.

Rob Lake is internationally renowned for his mesmerizing and award-winning illusion spectacular. He's performed not only in the U.S. but has been to Japan, Australia, Europe, Guam, and Thailand. He currently performs his show on television, in casinos, and theaters around the world.

He still carries some of the card tricks he did as a 10-year-old with him on the road, road trips that keep him away from home 95 percent of the time. Lake said he normally calls home "Marriott and Hilton" though he still makes it back to Norman. When I spoke to him recently, that is where he was to enjoy some down time with family. He said he doesn't mind hotels as it means a bed is always close by after spending hours on his shows.

Lake's production includes a traveling team of 20 people, including dancers, technicians and stage crews.

The illusion and magic business is a small, one where everyone knows everyone else, said Lake. Other magicians have purchased illusions from Lake.

Besides other magicians, a thousand productions that require magical things to happen have gone to Lake to create them. After creating and designing the magic, Lake then teachers the actors how to do them.

Magic is allowing Lake to do what he loves to do..traveling and performing. His favorite places include Toyko, Europe and Los Angeles. "I love doing what I do and I can do it everywhere," said Lake. Lake's first big break was in Hokkaido, Japan.
He lived in the Bahamas for two years, performing what he loves to do. He's performed for the troops, and appeared nightly at the Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey for two months. He said he didn't meet the future president while there, and in fact Trump was suing the hotel at the time to get his name off of it.

"I'm not sure if I'll ever settle down," he said. He travels with his magic family, some who've been with him for eight years.

"We make the most of the destinations," said Lake. He'll be staying in South Lake Tahoe for a month, getting the show ready for the two-week run. He'll even be in town when he turns 34 on December 30.

"I've picked some of my favorite illusions for the Tahoe shows," said Lake. To be
part of the magic, tickets are available here: http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/467752?camefrom=CFC_CAESARSENT_TAH_TheMagicofRobLake