Woman with Milford ties performs magic at Mohegan Sun
Friday, 20 January 2012 12:31
Jinger Leigh, a Bridgeport native whose parents live in Milford, returns to her home state to perform her magic and illusion as part of the nationally acclaimed act of Kalin & Jinger at Mohegan Sun in the Master of Illusion Live Show on Jan. 21 and 22.
This will be Kalin & Jinger's second appearance at Mohegan Sun, and the couple will also appear at the Palace Theatre in Stamford on Feb. 9.
Living in Reno, N.V., with her husband Mark Kalin and 10-year-old daughter Parker, Leigh always looks forward to returning to her home state to perform before friends and family.
“It's great to perform in front of people you know,” Leigh said. “It makes it special.”
Leigh began dancing when she was four years old, and by age 15 she was working as a professional dancer for companies, such as Disney, Fuji Television and Southern California dinner theaters. She attended the Tuller School in Fairfield and graduated from Lauralton Hall of Milford. She later was awarded a scholarship to the “Young Americans' College of Performing Arts.”
She met her husband of 18 years during a performance in Guam where she filled in as his assistant in his magic show. She was instantly impressed with his magic and rapport with the audience.
The rest has become performing history. In 1998, Kalin & Jinger were voted magic's highest honor, Magicians of the Year, by the prestigious Academy of Magical Arts-Hollywood's Magic Castle. In 2001, the World Magic Awards honored their show with “Best Magic Show” and again in 2008 they received the Magicians of the Year, by Fox Television.
They have appeared many times on NBC's “Word's Greatest Magicians”, “Hidden Secrets of Magic,” Fox Family's “Magic on the Edge,” Fox TV's “World Magic Awards” as well as appearances on “Entertainment Tonight”, CBS and ABC.
The illusionist team has also mystified audiences with the largest stage illusion in the world — the disappearance of an American Airlines jumbo jet at the Reno Hilton. The illusion was presented, nightly, for over two years and witnessed by over a half million people.
Kalin & Jinger's act has evolved into a blend of illusion, dance and acting. Jinger says she's able to use her dancing and singing skills while performing illusions. As an example, she does a self-levitating performance that thrills the audience.
Of course, doing illusions brings an element of danger. She has some nicks from being apparently sawed in half to attest to that.
“We use a lot of fire, flash, and tigers,” Leigh said. “It has appeal to large audiences.”
Leigh credits the support of her mother Cynthia Tsokalas and step-father Frank Gennarini, both of Milford with her success.
She also does voice-over work and hosting TV shows. “My family has always been great in supporting my career,” Leigh said. “It wasn't your typical career choice.”
Kalin & Jinger are always pushing the envelope of illusion and magic with their shows, such as “Carnival of Wonders,” that offered the fun of a traveling carnival into an evening of entertainment of mystery and wonder.
Kalin & Jinger are regarded around the world as creative, trend-setting illusionists.
“Illusion is meant to be seen live and in person where there is a great sense of wonder and magic,” Leigh said. “That way the audience can see the illusions right before them with no camera tricks. Performing as illusionists has allowed me to use all my talents, which I love.”
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