“Harry Houdini” Returns to Greenville June 10!

“Houdini Proves Many Sided Man. Magician And Trickster Only Gives Meagre Idea Of The Man” reads an almost 100 year old Greenville News headline. The article goes on to say “…athlete, artist, craftsman, planner, efficiency manager, student and philosopher --- a combination unique in the world’s history. An accident to Houdini in any of his thrilling ventures, would be a general public loss, it is said for there never has been anyone like him.” He died less than 3 years later at the age of 52.

Houdini did a show at Textile Hall on March 6, 1924. If anyone has a photo of his visit to Greenville, we’d love to see it!

It has been said that Houdini told his wife that if he died and could return from the other side, he would contact her. Before his death he gave her a secret code that he would use to prove that it was him. After his death, his wife held a seance once a year to try and contact him. After 10 years of trying, she was reported as saying that ten years was long enough to wait for any man.

Greenville has waited almost 100 years. Houdini returns this June.

Meet “Houdini”, portrayed by Larry Bounds at Chautauqua’s History Comes Alive Festival’s Opening night!

On Friday, June 10th at 7:30 pm under the tent at Greenville Tech, located at 800 E. Faris Road near the corner with S. Pleasantburg, Larry Bounds, an historical interpreter dressed in costume will bring Houdini to life and speak in Houdini’s own words. The audience will then question Houdini, delving more deeply into the issues that have been raised. The replies will be historically authentic, based on research using letters, diaries, journals, and published writings. Finally, Larry will step out of character and answer audience questions from a critical, modern perspective.

Can’t make Opening Night?

On Monday, June 13 at 9:00 am, Larry Bounds will lead a discussion about Houdini at The Senior Action Center located at 3715 E. North Street. This is not a costumed performance.

On Sunday, June 19 at 2 pm (reservation required), Larry Bounds will perform as Houdini at the Hartness Performing Arts Center at Christ Church School – 245 Cavalier Dr. ASL Interpretation available.

In addition to Houdini, Dwight Eisenhower, Robert Kennedy, Georgia O’Keeffe and Pauli Murray will be featured at this year’s Greenville Chautauqua’s History Comes Alive Festival, June 10th – 19th.

Join us to travel back in time and interact with these great individuals! Complete festival schedule can be found at http://historycomesalive.org/performances/festival/.

Larry Bounds (Houdini) – Greer, SC

Larry Bounds has performed on the Chautauqua stage since 2002. Over the years he has portrayed Einstein, Churchill, Disney, Houdini, Crockett, Von Braun, Cronkite, and last year Benjamin Franklin to numerous Chautauqua audiences nationwide. Larry holds a B.A. in theatre and a M.Ed from The University of Tennessee, and he is a National Board Certified educator. For 35 years he taught public high school. He was awarded his school’s Teacher of the Year in 2003 and was recognized as one of the Upstate’s Most Influential Educators by Parent Magazine in 2018.

He has performed as a professional magician since 1973, including 8 years entertaining with Ripley’s Believe It or Not! The International Brotherhood of Magicians admitted him to the Order of Merlin in 2009. Larry is also an active member of Mensa and the International Churchill Society.

Greenville Chautauqua

More than history. More than a performance. More than a story. We are Chautauqua, a nonprofit, experiential oral tradition that brings history to life through interactive theater and compelling discussion that stimulates critical thinking. We believe stories should be told and histories deserve to be heard. We’re committed to bringing great communities together to celebrate culture, conversation, and critical thought. We celebrate the diversity of our culture through a variety of voices from the past because history belongs to all of us. As a non-profit dedicated to bringing history to life, our events are and always will be free, fun, and family-friendly. For more information, please visit GreenvilleChautauqua.org or contact Caroline McIntyre at Caroline@GreenvilleChautauqua.org or 864.244.1499 office / 864.360.7500 cell