Magical moments: Escape artist to perform free show for families Friday

GREENFIELD -- A "weird combination of intensely original magic, mind reading and even some escapes where there's a chance to win money" is coming to downtown Greenfield on Friday. Michael Griffin performs at 7 p.m. Friday at H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 E. Main St., Greenfield. The family-friendly performance is free, giving locals and visitors a rare opportunity to experience an uplifting, high-energy live event. Griffin, who has been featured on the hit television show "America's Got Talent," is the only touring performer offering a standing $100,000 challenge to anyone who can successfully restrain him and prevent his escape. Volunteers from the audience are invited onstage to secure him with handcuffs, chains, ropes or other restraints, turning each performance into a suspense‑filled live showdown between captivity and freedom. A two-time World Magic Award winner for Best Escape Artist, Griffin built his reputation doing the things people are not supposed to survive, according to a press release: Handcuffs, straitjackets, ropes, chains -- often placed on him by the audience themselves -- and even Houdini's box at the bottom of the ocean. Griffin has survived a historically-accurate noose hanging, escaped restraints around the world and turned captivity into theater. Griffin, of Columbus, Ohio, said no two shows are alike. That's because he relies on audience participation and interaction. He may have the same opening and closing acts, but everything in between is spontaneous -- "dadum, you just don't know which way the show is going to go." Griffin combines music and magic, and ends the show on an inspirational note. He says he has never used drugs or alcohol, and that message resonates with many. He has had recovering addicts thank him for his inspiration, and parents appreciate his message. Griffin's appearance years ago on "America's Got Talent" actually didn't end well, he said, because his act was changed at the last minute. Griffin was asked to bring judge Howard Stern onto the stage, and he was able to easily escape Stern's knots and ties. While Griffin did not advance in the competition show since judges considered the act was too easy, he was able to move forward and continue his magic. "I got a great compliment from Howard and I use it in all my press -- 'I like you a lot.'" Griffin has been intrigued by magic and escape arts since he was a child. Growing up in California, he recalls his father offering a car for his 16th birthday. Instead, he said he'd rather have a straitjacket. Griffin welcomes the audience to bring old-fashioned handcuffs or contraptions to the venue this Friday, because he often buys items from audience members. He said those who want to try for the $100,000 challenge may bring an item to try to contain him, and it will be considered for part of the show. Another challenge brings a group of audience members to the stage to tie him with ropes and, together, they may split a $1,000 prize if he doesn't escape. A featured highlight of the performance will be Griffin's escape from handcuffs and heavy chain while sealed inside an airtight bag, performed live in full view of the audience. "When you remove air and add restraints, time becomes the real opponent," he said. "There are no camera cuts. No second takes. People are watching every second, and they feel that pressure with me." Hancock County Tourism is presenting the event as the final event in a three-part winter series. In January, the organization brought June Bug Comedy to the Ricks; in February was a concert by No Fences, a tribute to Garth Brooks. Brigette Cook Jones, director of Hancock County Tourism, said the organization wanted to bring something new and different, and a magician/escape artist seemed just right. Originally a ticketed event, HCT decided to make it free to the community to fill the seats with local families in search of quality entertainment. In the past, Greenfield area families would have to travel to Indianapolis and pay big bucks for such entertainment, she said. "One thing that I hear a lot is, there's not anything for families to do, especially in the wintertime," Jones said. "This is an opportunity to have an event, and it's clean family fun." Jones said she is happy Hancock County Tourism can partner with the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts for live entertainment. The community venue has upped the ante lately on concerts and events, with new seating, lighting and more. A movie screen has brought free films to the community as well. Jones said bringing regional acts in, such as the trio of performers this winter, is bringing in visitors -- from Indianapolis, Ohio, Kentucky and more, as well as entertaining local residents -- all of whom spend time and money at downtown businesses and restaurants along the way. "All of these entertainers have their own following and none of them are local, so for Hancock County Tourism that brings those out-of-county folks into the county for this experience," she said. "We're trying to bring affordable entertainment, and the Ricks is trying to ramp all of this up and they're trying to be a destination for local entertainment."