The Magic Behind the Man

A Mt. Lebanon performer whose career has spanned Hollywood, symphony halls and Pittsburgh stages returns home with a deeply personal new show.

For decades, audiences have known Dan Kamin as a magician, mime, actor, comedian and master of physical comedy. Pittsburghers have watched him perform at the Three Rivers Arts Festival, alongside the Pittsburgh Symphony, on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” and in schools throughout the region.

Moviegoers may know him as the man who trained Robert Downey, Jr. for his Oscar-nominated portrayal in “Chaplin,” or for creating the physical comedy sequences Johnny Depp does so well in “Benny & Joon.” Horror fans recognize him as the wooden Indian that came to life in “Creepshow 2.”

But in his newest production, “The Magic Lesson,” Kamin is stepping into the spotlight not simply as a performer, but as a storyteller. The show—making its Pittsburgh premiere June 25–27 at the Greer Cabaret Theater—explores the unusual mentors who helped shape his life and career.

“In ‘The Magic Lesson,’” says Kamin. “I shine the spotlight on the weird and wonderful wizards who taught me to do magic, perform the magic they taught me, and reveal the unintended consequences of trying to unravel the mysteries of magic and the mysteries of growing up at the same time.”

The result is part magic show, part memoir and part coming-of-age story, filled with humor, wonder and unexpected life lessons.

Growing up in Miami, Kamin’s fascination with performance began early.

“I am overly susceptible to movies,” he says. “As a kid I saw a movie about Houdini, which led to my becoming a boy magician. In college I saw a Charlie Chaplin film, and before long I was touring the country as a mime.”

Kamin’s education in magic came from an unlikely source—a gathering of magicians, cardsharps and colorful characters who met regularly.

“Every Saturday the local magicians would gather for lunch at a downtown restaurant, and that place became my Hogwarts,” he says. “The magicians were generous about sharing their trade secrets, as were the cardsharps and con men who occasionally dropped in.”

Those lessons eventually led him down a remarkable professional path. After discovering the work of movement artist Jewel Walker in college, Kamin became fascinated with mime and physical comedy. His expertise in movement later caught the attention of Hollywood filmmakers.

Among his most notable projects was coaching Robert Downey, Jr. to channel Charlie Chaplin’s mimetic artistry or physical eloquence for the acclaimed film “Chaplin.”

Yet despite performing with symphony orchestras and in theaters around the world, Kamin--who came to Pittsburgh to study at Carnegie Mellon--never left for greener pastures. He is excited about sharing “The Magic Lesson”--his never-before revealed origin story--with his fellow Pittsburghers.

For Kamin, however, the real magic lies in the stories behind the tricks—the people who taught him, the paths he followed and the surprising places a lifetime of curiosity has taken him.