A charmingly original comedian, Michael Dardant, a.k.a. “Magic Mike†combines the art of illusion and skillful manipulation with fresh and creative comedy. His sidesplitting routines and impressive “off the cuff†crowd interaction make each show a totally unique experience. He has been performing professionally since high school and his blend of comedy and magic has been popular act at an endless variety of venues such as schools, casinos, cruise ships, comedy clubs, and minimum security prisons.
When asked how he gained such unique skills and abilities, Michael claims to have been bitten by a wizard at the age of five and then raised by a pack of Cajuns. This molded him early on into an exceptional comedian/magician. It was then he knew he would never be cut out for a regular job. Of course, his mother claims it was more of a combination of a magic kit from Santa and serious case of attention deficit disorder.
Michael was born in France and then asked to leave, which forced him, like many other misunderstood children, to grow up in South Louisiana.
From circus workshops to school plays, he was entertaining any chance he could and at thirteen he became unnaturally fascinated with the art of magic. Once Magic Mike picked up his 1st deck of cards he never put it back down, well….except to eat. Michael made many sacrifices such as Saturday morning cartoons, book report deadlines, and dating in high school to allow him the time and discipline necessary to master his talent. Because of this, his sleight of hand is a marvel to admire. His close up manipulation will leave one dazed and amazed, confused and amused, or otherwise completely unaffected.
From mime and juggling to acting and improvisation, Mike’s entertainment studies have ranged so vastly that you never know what to expect. His true love is comedy and his show is packed with it. He has any audience at any event rolling in the aisles. How many performers could get a standing ovation from twelve thousand people for a twenty minute show using nothing but a roll of toilet paper and a deck of cards? Give up? Not many!
Fresh out of High school, Mike began his first restaurant gig at T.G.I. Fridays and soon after became the co-host of the FOX Kid’s club show. He was the youngest performer and only magician to perform in Goodwill’s annual Cajun Comic Relief show. He then began working casinos, convention groups, and trade shows. His client roster is packed with prestigious names such as Microsoft, Best Buy, McDonald’s, Wal-mart, Coca Cola.
Harrah’s New Orleans then contracted Mike as their full time host and announcer which brought the outrageously funny “magic guy†to a place he could finally fit in: the Funny Farm of America, the fabulously zany city of New Orleans. As a result, Mike was able to hone his skills as an emcee, write standup comedy, develop many repeat clients along the gulf coast, and find himself banned from playing at many Casinos. He worked with comedian and magician, Harry Anderson at Harry’s club Oswald’s in the French Quarter. Michael thoroughly enjoys being a resident of the French Quarter, yet travels across the nation, around the globe, and throughout the Universe. He’s even performed in countries where English isn’t easily understood like France, Mexico, and Canada.
As Michael flourished in the world of live entertainment, naturally he was bitten by the TV bug as well. An aspiring actor, his many television appearances include juggling fire in commercials for Zataran’s, Rally's and Hilton Hotels. He was in a reenactment on “Unsolved Mysteriesâ€, a nerdy popcorn salesman on “World Conference Wrestlingâ€, and a car salesman in a Juvenile rap video. (The video wasn’t juvenile, that’s the name of the rapper.) He was featured twice on UPN’s comedy block and will be playing a sleight of hand artist in the upcoming FX series, “The Riches†with Minnie Driver. AND, if you pause the recent Mathew Mahonahey and Sarah Jessica Parker movie during the scene where the car drives by the lake, you can see Magic Mike’s elbow in the driver side window.
Michael also has a passion for writing, which is ironic since reading is still such a challenge for him. In addition to two screenplays, he is currently writing a sit-com about how absurd life in New Orleans is and the insane characters that inhabit this mysterious and wondrous land. It's working title is Below Sea Level.
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