With the majority of messages we received this month relating to issues that were produced before I became an editor at Genii, this feels a little like opening (and responding!) to someone else’s mail. Nevertheless, with the help of our editorial team, here we go….
Polishing the Lamp
I really enjoy the new format of Genii. Thank you Jim Steinmeyer and your team for giving a great magazine a brilliant polish. I like the mix of mostly shorter columns and some more in-depth articles. Every month is a welcome surprise concerning the subjects and contributors. I honestly cannot say which is my favorite, but for some reason I usually read The Eye by Vanessa Armstrong first, always interesting and nicely presented. Best to you Will Houstoun as you polish Genii a little brighter!
—Bob Hochevar
Will Houstoun responds: Thanks for your letter, Bob, I couldn’t agree more about the fantastic work that Jim and the entire team have done with Genii over the last year. Having spent the last few months following along as the last few issues came together I know how much care and attention goes into the balance you have observed in the magazine (and completely agree that Vanessa’s work in The Eye is great). I also appreciate your good wishes… the support of our readers is hugely reassuring as I step in, pick up a rag, and join in the polishing.
Tricks, Tricks, Tricks
I love almost everything in this magazine. The thing I don’t like are the trick reviews. Only one this month (January)! That’s way too little. My favorite part of the magazine has always been reading the trick reviews. I am sure there are others that miss having multiple reviews of current and past tricks. More the better, there are so many tricks that come out and Genii used to be a good source of info on tricks but no more, there are hardly any of those anymore. I know your team can do a better job.
—Tim Ambrose
Will Houstoun responds: I am thrilled that you enjoy the vast majority of Genii, and thank you for your note about the reviews section (a topic I know Jim repeatedly addressed in these pages). For me, reviews are a challenging part of the magazine. On one hand there are absolutely products that are well worth engaging with, and producers whose efforts we want to support. On the other hand, more and more material is released that is derivative and insubstantial, and I don’t want to waste the valuable attention of our readers on material about which there is little of value to say. We are currently exploring ways to develop our Marketplace section, and I hope you will like some of the changes that will emerge in the following months.
Remembering the Mod Magician
Jeff Sheridan / Photo courtesy of Richard Kaufman
Thank you for your wonderful, moving and fitting tribute to Jeff Sheridan in the January 2026 issue. I was acquainted with Jeff when he was “The Mod Magician” and working with those parakeets. He was truly one of a kind.
—Warren Morse
Will Houstoun responds: Appearing before my editorship began I can only add my thanks to those who worked on this piece, and my pleasure that you felt it reflected your friend. An obituary is not a pleasant thing to write, but it is also, as others have observed, one of the final things that one can do for a good friend. I am full of admiration for those who rise to the challenge.
Bringing Joy and Enthusiasm
Mario the Maker Magician outside the New Victory Theatre / Photo by Brent Lee
As a long time kid show guy myself, John Reid’s story, in the February issue, about Mario the Maker resonated with me. I wish that I could have been at the theater to see Mario’s show with my own eyes, but reading John’s description was the next best thing. I may not be playing off-Broadway, but I aspire to bring that kind of joy and enthusiasm to my audiences in their own living rooms, 25 kids at a time. Thank you for the inspiration!
—Alan Kratish
Chloe Olewitz responds: I’m so glad you were inspired, Alan! John is known for being someone who lifts up everyone around him, so it’s no surprise that he was able to capture the joy that Mario’s audiences experience. They’re both such caring people and interesting artists—we can all learn a lot from them about bringing those values to bear in our art, whether for 25 kids in a living room or 20,000 people in an arena.
📬 Have something to tell us?
We encourage your comments, suggestions, and prohibitions. Reach us with the speed of email at editors@geniimagazine.com. We are, as the original genie insisted, here to serve.
