Magic may be an ancient art, but in the hands of American illusionist David Copperfield, it appears decidedly contemporary. His theatrical sense, charm, and skills have made the 46-year-old New Jersey native a household name worldwide and a billionaire.

Copperfield's fans in China saw him walk through the Great Wall on television in 1986, but they have never seen him perform live. All that will change this summer, when he kicks off his 50-day China trip on Tuesday, July 9, in Shenzhen. He will perform 40 shows for eager audiences in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing and Taipei.

In Shanghai, Copperfield performs at 8,000-seat Shanghai Grand Stage for seven shows, from July 24 through 28, with a two-hour selection of programs, including feats like "Head Mover," "Through Steel," "Squeezebox," "Scorpion," "Fires of Passion Film," "Binky," "Portal" and "Lottery."

All this will undoubtedly be a piece of cake for the illusionist who has made the Statue of Liberty and the Orient Express vanish, walked through the Great Wall of China, escaped from Alcatraz, and made audience members disappear and reappear in places they would never imagine.

Born in Metuchen, New Jersey in 1956, Copprfield began to perform professionally in his hometown at the tender age of 12. Soon thereafter he became the youngest person ever to be admitted to the Society of American Magicians, and by 16, he was teaching a course in magic at New York University.

After his appearance in the musical "The Magic Man," U.S. television station CBS signed him to do a series of specials, beginning with "The Magic of David Copperfield." The TV shows won him 19 Emmy Awards and two "Entertainer of the Year" honors.

"Copperfield conjures up an alternative realm in which human beings and solid objects can come and go," said Robert Greig of The Sunday Independent. His performance was so intoxicating and illuminating that former U.S. President Ronald Reagan famously wished to "have David Copperfield in the White House. Maybe he could make some of my problems disappear."

(eastday.com July 16, 2002)