The star of the magic show, Typhoon Lou, 42, is a retired Navy chief petty officer who was born in California and grew up in Hawaii. A lifelong magician, he did professional stage shows part time during his 22-year Navy career.
He has worked full time as a magician and illusionist since 1998, entertaining primarily at corporate retreats and product launches. He moved to Orlando about two years ago and is a partner in the magic venture as well as its director of operations.
“This is going to be very visual,” Maran said of the act he is now polishing in a local warehouse. Special effects, stage fog and high-tech lighting will blend with custom music piped through a surround-sound system. As part of the act, Maran said, he will do at one point what most illusionists do in their stage shows: “I’ll disappear in midair.”
Maran and his business partners are counting on keeping the whole business from performing the same stunt.”