The TNZ Early Years Photo Album

1st Annual First night Rockford '91 - This was TNZ's 1st public performance together.  TNZ opened with what they called the 'Dove Opener'.  3 doves would appear one at a time.  They were placed into a wooden box, which instantly opened with all 4 walls falling down, to reveal a stuffed rabbit, and no more doves.  
They were wearing trench coats and sun glasses when they entered the 'stage', although it was night time.  Todd is sporting a fashionable multi-colored patch-work trench, as he blows up the balloon for the final dove production.... the "Balloon To Dove".  The balloon would be placed on a table (where Zack is standing, sporting a plain black trench, and some ultra cool shades, as well) and suddenly POP!  A 'live' dove would appear in the balloon's place.  

1st Annual First night Rockford '91 - This is the same show as above. In this picture, they are performing the classic Hippity Hop Rabbits trick.  This is a trick performed by nearly every magician, at nearly every kids show in the world... maybe. 

(Same show again) TNZ were placed in an old abandoned building in Stewart Square, downtown Rockford, IL for this show.  It was New Years Eve, and very cold, yet the building had absolutely no heat!!  Despite that, TNZ had a great, large audience show up for the show, and that was the night TNZ decided to do as many shows together as possible.  One bad thing happened during that show... Email Zack and ask him if you want the story... zack@tnzmagic.com. It was hinted at in the caption for the first picture, above.  Note the cheezzy hand written sign on the left with the first TNZ logo. 

Fox Kids Club Picnic 6/27/1992 - This was a show TNZ did at Rockford Symbol for the local Fox 39 Kids Club, and ended up doing about 6 TV spots that aired over a period of a few months in 1992.
A balloon has just popped on a table, and Zack's Dove (probably "Marty Mcfly") has just appeared.

This was at the Doc Eason (very good magician) lecture, at our local magic shop, at the time. (a place we miss around here!)  Todd is sporting the David Copperfield "Harley" shirt, and Zack is sporting the 'cool' mini CD on a chain, around the neck, look.  

TNZ get David Copperfields autograph at the Chicago Theatre 11/8/1992
This was Zack's 11th time seeing DC live... 

This was actually the year before the pictures above, when we actually had our picture taken with DC.  
Notice, everyone in this picture had way too much hair, especially DC!  This was in the Chicago Theatre, 
9/29/1991.  Todd's older brother, Mike is on the left.  The kid next to him was, I think Todd and Mike's dad's girlfriend's son, at the time.  

Rockford Public Library 10/17/1992 - Before working together, Zack performed many times at the RPL, and this was the 1st time TNZ did the show together.  I'm not sure why Zack's pre-TNZ sign is up there... another cheezy hand written sign that says Zack's old stage name "Magic Zack the 1st".
Someone picked a card, and after writing an incorrect prediction on a chalk board, TNZ tear a black piece of chalk board contact paper off the board to reveal that the spectator's card (the 2 of spades) was written on the board before they even picked it!

Art Gallery 451 Downtown Rockford 4/23/1994 - The Rkfd Area Arts Council sponsored TNZ and advertised for this show at the art gallery.  The Rockford Register Star interviewed TNZ and put a great article in their "GO" section for the show.  The turn-out was fairly small, but they filled the small # of seats and space available, so I guess it was a sell-out.  It turned out great! 
TNZ are doing what they called "La Lampara".  A card is picked, then a corner is ripped off and given to the spectator.  The rest of the card is burned in a glass (as seen in the picture), then the light bulb goes out on in the lamp on the table.  The shade is removed to reveal that the bulb has no working parts, but rather a rolled up card trapped in it.  The bulb is broken open to show that the card is the exact same card that was just burned.  It is proven since ever detail of the corner matches the card!! 

Well you can't read it here, but this was the article for the above show. 

This was from a series of TNZ stickers that were made up in early 1994, or somewhere around there...

The program cover for TNZ's first independent public performance in a theatre.  Find the mistake?

The inside first page of the same program.  Todd designed the program, Zack wrote most of the silliness in it. 

A picture of the audience from the same show giving TNZ a "standing ovation"
Note: the guy in front on the left  is, once again, Todd's big brother, Mike, their late grandmother is sitting to his left (our right)  It was nearly a sold out show!  5/19/1996

This was one of the few tickets that did not sell.  Todd designed these tickets... nice, huh? 

Todd posing behind the Houdini photo board at the Magic and Movie Hall of Fame Las Vegas, 7/1996

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