BIO
“World's Greatest Escape Artist” - CBS
Performing internationally in over 300 shows per year and reaching more than half-a-million audience members annually, Andrew Basso is the powerhouse performer behind the success of the enormously popular Broadway smash-hit show, The Illusionists. Known as “World’s Greatest Escape Artist” and the “Rock Star of Magic”, Basso’s performance career has broken box office records and traversed the world’s preeminent stages: Broadway in New York City, Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre, The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., London’s West End, Sydney Opera House, Arena di Verona, Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, and Dubai’s World Trade Center.
One of the only performers skilled in a variety of genres of magic, Basso is specialized in escapology and death-defying acts, earning him the moniker “The Escapologist”. In 2005, he became the youngest magician in history, and the first Italian, to win the Escape Champion World Title. He also took 1st place in the 2012 Italy “Masters of Magic” championship. Considered by the press as “the natural successor of Harry Houdini”, he is ranked as one of the top magicians of the 21st century.
Basso’s first autobiography, Believe the Impossible, released by Italian publishing house giant Mondadori, chronicles his journey from a small town in Italy to the most important stages of the world. The book explores the life and lessons of one of the world’s greatest illusionists and escapologists: the illuminating magic of fear, faith, and freedom and the inspiring journey of self-actualization.
Having been seen across the US and Europe on most major news networks, Basso has established himself as a favorite among daytime TV hosts and news presenters for his Italian charisma and magnetic performances. He has starred in Seasons 1 and 2 of Fuori! Born to Escape (Italy) and has consulted for La Grande Magia (Italy). TV appearances include USA (NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox); Italy (Rai1 Vieni da Me, Rai2 Italia Si!, Mediaset Italy’s Got Talent); France (TF1 Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde, TV5 Vivement Dimanche); Denmark (TV2 Natholdet); Norway (TV2 Senkveld); Lithuania (KK2 Penktadienis); Poland (TVP2 Pytanie na sniadanie).
Major Production clients include Cirque Du Soleil Entertainment, Live Nation, William Morris Endeavor, The Nederlander Organization, The Works Entertainment, MagicSpace Entertainment, Ticketcorner, and TML Enterprises. Major Corporate clients include Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, Acura, Volkswagen, Volvo, Volksbank, UBI Bank, Lavazza, Café de Paris, Marina Bay Sands (Singapore), and Warsaw Police Headquarters.
In addition to his passion for performance magic, Basso has an intense devotion the Art of Magic and its history of secrets. In 2009, he founded Italy’s Prestige Magic Academy, aimed to advance the education of its students with great masters in the Art. Basso is an ardent collector of Houdini memorabilia and artifacts, including Houdini’s own performance tuxedo collar and glass remnant of the original Chinese Water Torture Cell. He has also amassed a large collection of handcuffs and restraint devices, featuring pieces of international origin of rare and antique nature.
BIO
“World's Greatest Escape Artist” - CBS
Performing internationally in over 300 shows per year and reaching more than half-a-million audience members annually, Andrew Basso is the powerhouse performer behind the success of the enormously popular Broadway smash-hit show, The Illusionists. Known as “World’s Greatest Escape Artist” and the “Rock Star of Magic”, Basso’s performance career has broken box office records and traversed the world’s preeminent stages: Broadway in New York City, Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre, The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., London’s West End, Sydney Opera House, Arena di Verona, Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, and Dubai’s World Trade Center.
One of the only performers skilled in a variety of genres of magic, Basso is specialized in escapology and death-defying acts, earning him the moniker “The Escapologist”. In 2005, he became the youngest magician in history, and the first Italian, to win the Escape Champion World Title. He also took 1st place in the 2012 Italy “Masters of Magic” championship. Considered by the press as “the natural successor of Harry Houdini”, he is ranked as one of the top magicians of the 21st century.
Basso’s first autobiography, Believe the Impossible, released by Italian publishing house giant Mondadori, chronicles his journey from a small town in Italy to the most important stages of the world. The book explores the life and lessons of one of the world’s greatest illusionists and escapologists: the illuminating magic of fear, faith, and freedom and the inspiring journey of self-actualization.
Having been seen across the US and Europe on most major news networks, Basso has established himself as a favorite among daytime TV hosts and news presenters for his Italian charisma and magnetic performances. He has starred in Seasons 1 and 2 of Fuori! Born to Escape (Italy) and has consulted for La Grande Magia (Italy). TV appearances include USA (NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox); Italy (Rai1 Vieni da Me, Rai2 Italia Si!, Mediaset Italy’s Got Talent); France (TF1 Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde, TV5 Vivement Dimanche); Denmark (TV2 Natholdet); Norway (TV2 Senkveld); Lithuania (KK2 Penktadienis); Poland (TVP2 Pytanie na sniadanie).
Major Production clients include Cirque Du Soleil Entertainment, Live Nation, William Morris Endeavor, The Nederlander Organization, The Works Entertainment, MagicSpace Entertainment, Ticketcorner, and TML Enterprises. Major Corporate clients include Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, Acura, Volkswagen, Volvo, Volksbank, UBI Bank, Lavazza, Café de Paris, Marina Bay Sands (Singapore), and Warsaw Police Headquarters.
In addition to his passion for performance magic, Basso has an intense devotion the Art of Magic and its history of secrets. In 2009, he founded Italy’s Prestige Magic Academy, aimed to advance the education of its students with great masters in the Art. Basso is an ardent collector of Houdini memorabilia and artifacts, including Houdini’s own performance tuxedo collar and glass remnant of the original Chinese Water Torture Cell. He has also amassed a large collection of handcuffs and restraint devices, featuring pieces of international origin of rare and antique nature.
