HOT PURSUIT

Getting hit by a truck certainly is not something most people would relish. But for a world renown magician, it has provided him the springboard to a lifetime of magic.

When he was 21, Nick Sharpe and his brother were slammed by a truck while standing on a street corner in California. Sharpe flew 40 feet into the air and ended up in the hospital while his brother lost his left leg.

He shared how someone came by the hospital and left after encouraging him to consider being a magician because of his personality. “Strangely enough, I got hit by a truck and it changed the trajectory of my life,” said Sharpe, who has been performing magic for four decades.

After recovering and realizing life is short, Sharpe’s focus in life quickly changed. He met some key people in the entertainment field, was inspired and his journey as an entertainer began. What began as performing with balloons quickly turned into table magic at restaurants.

Since 1986, Sharpe has mystified audiences worldwide with multiple tours in Europe, Finland, Australia and 23 other counties.

He performed his “Dr. Street Show” act on a downtown street corner in Owatonna as part of last week’s Downtown Thursday. He sets up in any open area or stage. Within minutes, people crowd in to see what the commotion is all about.

As part of his Dr. Street act, he pulls coins out of thin air, swallows balloons and his grand finale was the “old classic cups and balls.”

“The balloon swallow has a big effect on people,” he said. “It hits them in the face wondering how I did that.”

He is used to performing in front of audiences of 1,100 or more at corporate dinners and cruise lines to 150 or less at street shows like Owatonna’s. He focuses on fairs, festivals, street fests, block parties and busker festivals.

“It doesn’t matter if there are five people or 500. It’s going to be the same show,” Sharpe said. He most enjoys “the reactions you get and the smiles you get on their faces.”

Asked about the lure of his magic, Sharpe said in today’s world most people have seen magic acts on the internet. “It’s really super rare to see someone who is doing it in person,” he said.

For Sharpe, magic is an art. “It’s just like playing an instrument,” he said. “You are always training for the next one. It’s a passion.”

At 60, Sharpe said he doesn’t foresee retirement any time soon. “I love it too much,” he said. “The bug hit me when I was 21 and it hasn’t left,” he added.

He identified the one characteristic that has played into his success throughout the years.

“I talk to anybody,” he said.

As for the hit and run crash that left him hospitalized, Sharpe has no qualms about it. “I’m super grateful because everything changed,” he said. “I didn’t have a clue at the time, but it was all God’s will.”

And that’s no magical act.

It’s all part of Sharpe’s way of going in hot pursuit of providing the magic and charisma for audiences of all ages to enjoy.