Gay blackstone

Arla Gay Blevins first caught the public’s eye as a two-year-old, when her sparkling face graced the cover of LOOK magazine.  Naturally comfortable in front of audiences, Gay popped up in myriad show business venues as she grew older.  She was a member of The Howdy Doody Show  “Peanut Gallery”, and a “Ding-a-Ling” on The Andy Williams Show.  She later honed her dancing skills, and landed recurring roles with the prestigious San Francisco Ballet Company and on The Dean Martin Variety Show as one of the famous “Golddiggers.”

What began as a one-time gig assisting Harry Blackstone Jr.

on a magic show turned into a lifelong love affair, not only with the world-renowned illusionist, but with the world of magic and the entertainment industry as a whole.  Arla Gay Blevins became Mrs. Harry Blackstone Jr. on October 14, 1974….a date which marked the beginning of a new chapter in the Blackstone legacy.

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Gay’s introduction to the art of  magic was something of a baptism by fire.  With Harry, she ably performed the various, and often uncomfortable duties of magician’s assistant, but also became extremely adept at the various other elements required to elevate a magic show to the status of  full-fledged theatrical production.  Gay’s dancing skills made her a natural to assume the role of choreographer.  Her television appearances provided her with a keen sense of  wardrobe design and construction.  Add to these qualities an inherent sense of business acumen, sharp directorial skills, hands-on knowledge of lighting, music, rigging, and animal-wrangling, among other unique qualities, and it’s no wonder that Gay soon became co-producer of the Blackstone Magic Show….one of the most successful shows of it’s kind in history, as evidenced by the fact that the Blackstones set box-office records after opening at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway on  May 14, 1980.

Without question, Harry’s untimely death created a void in her life.  Yet, in true Blackstonian tradition, Gay decided the show, and her life, must go on.  She continued to expand her areas of expertise, and soon became recognized as a walking encyclopedia of  things theatrical.

Although the big show has since been warehoused, Gay has selectively made arrangements for some of Harry’s signature pieces to be performed by a few recognized professionals, with the caveat that the effects be performed in Harry’s memory.  She also provides tricks and illusions to motion picture and television studios, and coaches actors, directors and producers who wish to add a touch of magic to their productions.

Gay is currently serving on the Board of Trustees at Hollywood’s World Famous Magic Castle.  She is also a member of several Magic Castle committees and from 2006 - 2008 served as the President on the Magic Castle’s Board of Directors. 

Gay continues to be a featured speaker and performer at magic conventions worldwide.  She has served as director and producer of several magic-oriented television shows for PBS, CBS, PAX, HBO and NBC networks.  Gay has coached and provided magic illusions for such notable performers as New Kids on the Block; Earth, Wind & Fire; Alice Cooper; Michael Jackson and The Boys Choir of Harlem, among others.

She has appeared at practically every major hotel and casino in the United States and, with Harry, toured throughout the country with one of the largest traveling mystery revues in theatrical history.

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Whatever project, concept, or idea that heads her way will be embraced with the exuberance, professionalism and dedication which has earned Gay Blackstone her well-deserved and enviable reputation as one of the most prolific exponents of practical theatrical expertise in the world of show business and Magic.  Although she has certainly diversified in recent years, her loyalty to the World of Magic and to the Blackstone name is unfailing creating a legacy which will continue for years to come, thanks to the resolve, diligence and talent of one person…..

Gay's Credits 2002 - Current:

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Executive Producer

• “Masters of Illusion –LIVE!” Tour 2011 to Present – US, Canada, Singapore, Manila, & Peru 80 shows in 46 venues, 26 states, 5 countries, and 3 continents 

• “Masters of Illusion” Live on Stage – Bally’s Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

• “Masters of Illusion” Television Series for immediate release for Sony International

• “Masters of Illusion” Television Series for The CW Network

•  “World Magic Awards” - 2 Hour Network Special Hosts Neil Patrick Harris, Sir Roger Moore, Robert Wagner, Jonathon Franks, and Bob Saget

• “Masters of Illusion- Impossible Magic!” 15 hours of Magic and Variety

• “Kids 100 Favorite Songs” - Telly Award Winning Four Part Television series for Time Life 

Consultant/Producer

• Illusionist “Hans Klok – The Beauty of Magic” Featuring Pamela Anderson June 2007 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada

• The Bayside Theater Lighthouse in Fukuoka, Japan - 2010 Producer/Creator “Ai & Yuki” Show – US and Asia 2007 - 2009

• U.S.

  She has made a mark of her own not only with the "Masters of Illusion" show, but also with the many awards she has earned including being named one of "2007 Hollywood's Women of Distinction" plus being the President of the Academy of Magic Arts. 

  Along with Harriet Jacobson and Robbie Willmarth, Gay also owns and operates the magic-themed jewelry company, BJW Magical Jewelers, which is often seen in the dealers' rooms at magic conventions.

Gay Blackstone is more than the widow of Harry Blackstone Jr.

She is also a television and stage producer, director, consultant, lecturer and author. She then talks about "Masters of Illusion" and a little about how the acts are selected. She is also the international ambassador of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Blackstone was the executive producer for the 2013 revival of the television show Masters of Illusion.

2013 – 2005

•Executive Producer - “Masters of Illusion” Television Series for 2014 release CW Network http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cw-revives-magic-show-masters-585645

•Executive Producer - “Masters of Illusion” Television Series for immediate release for Sony International

•Executive Producer – “Masters of Illusion –LIVE!” Tour 2011 to Present – US, Canada, Singapore, Manila, and Peru - 80 shows in 46 venues, 26 states, 5 countries, and 3 continents (first two seasons)

•Executive Producer – “Masters of Illusion” – January 2009 to Present – 40 Hour Network Television Series

•Executive Producer – “World Magic Awards” 5 - 2 Hour Network Specials Hosts Neil Patrick Harris, Sir Roger Moore, Robert Wagner, Jonathon Franks, and Bob Saget

•Past President of the Academy of Magical Arts – at The Magic Castle

•Creative Consultant & Segment Producer for Illusionist “Hans Klok – The Beauty of Magic” Featuring Pamela Anderson June 2007 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada

•Woman of Distinction Award from Hollywood Chamber of Commerce - 2007 Honoree

•Executive Producer – “Masters of Illusion- Impossible Magic!” 15 hours of Magic and Variety

•Producer/Creator Magic Stage Show at The Bayside Theater Lighthouse in Fukuoka, Japan - 2010

•Community Leaders Board for the College of Arts and Letters at California State University San Bernardino

•Producer/Creator “Ai & Yuki” Show – US and Asia 2007 - 2009

•Creative Consultant – Illusionist David Blaine Television

•NAACP Image Awards Special Effects Consultant for Television - 2005

•Producer Illusionist “Darren Romeo: The Voice of Magic” at The Welk Theatre in Branson, MO

•Producer - “Live in Berlin” at Pump, Duck and Circumstance

•Producer & Creator of International Female Illusionist My Uyen – Television Special and Casino Stage Show

•Creative Consultant/Show Analyst for Disney Cruise Line

•Producer of Telly Award Winning Four Part Television series for Time Life – “Kids 100 Favorite Songs”

•Creative Advisor for Penn and Teller “Sin City” Television Series

•Creative Consultant, Staging & Segment Producer for “Siegfried & Roy Present – Darren Romeo: The Voice of Magic” at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas

•Adjunct Professor University of Southern California – Choreography for television and film, performance and production, advisor George Burns Award

•Hosted multiple episodes of “The Story of Magic” – Canadian Television Series

•Author of “Around the House Magic”

•Special Events Producer – Amazon, Nickelodeon

•Corporate Events Producer/Consultant/Performer – The Money Store, Henley Health, Cadillac, Honda, California Dental Association, Ontario Convention Center

Co-Produced “The Blackstone Magic Show” 1974 – 1997 •Broadway – Holds the record for the longest running Magic Show in Broadway History

•Tour – U.S.

and International

•Casinos – Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Lake Tahoe, Reno

•Television – Multiple one and two-hour specials: PBS, HBO, CBS, NBC and PAX

•International television specials, Japan, England, Paris and EuroDisney

•Television – “Mystic, Magic, 3D Video”

•Honda Introduction

•Cadillac Introduction Show

Rock & Roll and Live Music Shows (Special Effects, Staging/Rigging for Venues, Arenas, Stadiums and Sheds)

•New Kids On The Block The Magic Summer Tour – U.S.

and International and No More Games Tour

•Earth, Wind & Fire – U.S. and International

•Alice Cooper – Welcome to my Nightmare

•Vanilla Ice – Special Effects

•Michael Jackson, Victory Tour – Special Effects

•Sea World – The Super Heroes, Florida and Ohio

•Boys Choir of Harlem and Friend on Broadway

Awards, Recognition, and Associations

•Member of Academy of Television Arts & Sciences as Executive Producer

•Magic Castle: The Academy of Magical Arts- President: 2006 -2008 Vice President 2004 -2006 Board of Directors: 2002 – 2012

•“Face of Redlands” Honoree for local Philanthropy and Community Service

•International Ambassador for the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians

•Recipient of the Milbourne Christopher Award

•2013 Society of American Magicians Presidential Citation

•Community Leaders Board for the College of Arts and Letters at California State University San Bernardino

•Woman of Distinction Award from Hollywood Chamber of Commerce - 2007 Honoree

•Los Angeles Business Journal – Front Page Feature Story “Woman of Distinction”

•Released top selling “Blackstone Magical Moments” DVD