SARATOGA SPRINGS –According to the official Rubik’s Cube website, it would take 1. 4 trillion years to go through all the possible combinations of a Rubik’s Cube. Steven Brundage can solve one in 14 seconds. He can also mix it up, throw it behind his back, and catch it completely solved, but that part requires a lot of practice and a bit of magic.
A local magician residing in Glenville, Brundage came into the Saratoga TODAY office recently to amaze us with his many tricks of the trade. After becoming famous for his viral video of using magic to get out of a speeding ticket, Brundage has turned his remarkable illusionist skills into a lucrative career.
This summer, that career has led to stumping two of the most incredulous magicians around: Penn Jillette and Raymond Teller.
Aired on July 6, “Penn and Teller: Fool Us” featured Brundage in the season two premiere. The goal of the show is for guests to perform magic tricks that baffle Penn and Teller as to how they’re done. Using his self-developed tricks with a Rubik’s Cube, he is one of the rare guests to actually fool these masters of magic.
“Just to be sitting up there, I had a huge grin on my face, just taking in the moment,” Brundage said. “I was really, really excited. Once I started doing magic, it was funny because you could just see Penn’s head tilt to the side, like, ‘what’s happening here?’”
His prize for puzzling Penn and Teller is to open for the magic duo in Las Vegas this September.
Only 24 years old, Brundage has been practicing magic for over half his life. His passion for magic began with his love of magic shows as a kid and when his mom bought him a book of how-to magic tricks when he was five. Since then, he has taught himself many sleight-of-hand illusions, all without a teacher or instructor. Though he’s also known for his card tricks and rope illusions, Brundage began combining his love of magic with his love of the Rubik’s Cube several years ago.
“When I started using the Rubik’s Cube in my show, it kind of separated myself from a lot of standard card magicians. Most of the Rubik’s Cube ideas I worked on and created myself since there wasn’t much out there. I knew I’d have to make it myself,” Brundage explained. “But, according to the research I’ve done, I’m the first person in the world to do that behind their back. No one else has done it the same way I do.”
Brundage has also drawn inspiration and motivation from illusionist David Blaine, feeling the need to learn his methods after seeing his specials on television. “He’s the reason I got started,” Brundage added.
The first taste of recognition and success came last December, when Brundage was driving home one night from a performance at a corporate event. After being stopped by police for speeding in Scotia, the officers asked Brundage why he had decks of playing cards scattered around his car. After explaining he was a magician, the police officers were eager to see a few tricks. Brundage asked if he could begin filming the impromptu performance and a viral internet video was created.
“As soon as I took the video, I called my girlfriend and said, ‘I have a viral video. It’s going to go viral, trust me,’” said Brundage. “Once that video exploded, it was pretty cool.”
Since going viral, he has been featured on “Good Morning America,” NBC’s “Today,” and the “Steve Harvey Show,” plus websites such as “The Daily News,” “Buzzfeed” and the “Huffington Post.”
Though he’ll be on the big stage with Penn and Teller in Vegas next month, Brundage also does private parties, corporate events, festivals, college events and street magic. He will travel anywhere in the United States for an event, though most are located in Saratoga, Westchester, Albany, New York City, Vermont, Connecticut and other areas in the northeast.
“I like [performing] because it’s a great way to interact with people. You go up to people and do a trick and they love you already. You’re the life of the party,” Brundage said. “I’m doing what I love. The fact that someone is willing to pay me to have fun is amazing.”
Brundage is currently considering getting into the college market, where he would be brought to schools for orientations and events. Right now his main goal however is to have a show he could tour with around the country.
Occasionally on weekends, Brundage performs street magic in front of the Washington building, located at 422 Broadway in Saratoga Springs, next to Northshire Bookstore.
For more information about Steven Brundage or to book him for an event, visit stevenbrundagemagic.com, call 518-866-1221 or contact him through e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also visit his Facebook page at facebook.com/StevenBrundageMagic.
