Nathan Burton

Gather 'round kiddies, and I shall tell you a magical Christmas tale of a little boy who grew up to be a successful Las Vegas magician. (All the other "magical" tales here involve gambling.)

Or you can just go check him out yourself, when you're done opening all those presents. But if you get onstage, remember he's just kidding about the showgirl.

The "successful" part has much to do with a work ethic, and Nathan Burton isn't taking a vacation until you go back to school in January. Even then, he will be working on a crazy plan to commute to Atlantic City two Saturdays a month -- without canceling any shows here -- starting in February.

The grown-up boy will not tell lies that he reinvented Las Vegas stage magic. That's because he hasn't had time. He learned better than other less fortunate children that doing the actual show is the easy part. As departed rivals such as Scarlett and Steve Wyrick can tell you, the real magic of a self-produced operation is marketing yourself and learning the ropes of ticket selling.

The Fort Smith, Ark., native had plenty of time to master all that since 2001, when he came to Las Vegas for "Showgirls of Magic." He got some traction from Wayne Newton's "Apprentice" knockoff, "The Entertainer." But his really big score came in 2006, when he made the first season of "America's Got Talent."

That helped move him into the Flamingo showroom, where his afternoon "Comedy Magic" has become a family affair. Both his mom, Nancy, and sister Emily help run the operation offstage and dream up new promotions, such as a popular locals deal where $30 gets you a buffet and the show.

Ah yes, the show.

Burton's niche in the crowded magic kingdom is redressing illusions until they're almost prop comedy.

Someone goes head first down a giant toilet, and Burton himself gets "cooked" in a "Microwave of Death." There's the familiar illusion cabinet that purports to spin the magician's head around in a full circle. But Burton actually shows you a rubber neck all twisted up like an old Looney Tune.

The magician is boyishly likeable throughout, and his showgirl sidekicks give Dad some smiles too as they vanish and reappear with startling speed. But partly because the punch lines lie in the big-box illusions themselves -- and partly because he had back surgery this year -- Burton is as much the affable emcee as the master conjurer.

The brisk revue could use a few big laughs from Burton himself, or a few dazzlers delivered by sleight-of-hand, not the cabinetry.

The variety-show atmosphere is furthered by Burton yielding a generous 20 minutes of his 65 to Michael Holly, a veteran juggler-comedian who once had his own afternoon showcase on the Strip as well.

Holly gives you the sight gag of juggling two bowling balls and one M&M. But don't be so distracted that you don't hear the droll humor, such as " 'Fire' is always a good thing to yell out in a crowded theater," or " 'Faux pas'... That means 'stepdad.' "

Burton still is growing into Holly's confident breeziness, and part of his on-the-job training is learning to work with youngsters. Specifically, 6-year-old boys who cut and run when told a "prediction board" routine will involve a date with a showgirl.

Unfazed, Burton goes to the crowd to find another one. And the audience laughs with him, because they are already on his side.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.