ST. GEORGE – Local magician Peter McMillan, better known as Mulee Pete, is seeking to turn his years of experience in the art of magic into a fun and friendly learning environment for all.
Unique to McMillan’s onstage persona is his cowboy-inspired apparel and abundance of hair, leading many to compare him to “Wild Bill” Hickok and other legendary figures of the Old West. His tricks follow the same theme, among them “ranch ropes” and pistol juggling.
Pronounced “mewl-e,” he boasts his moniker is more than just a name; it signifies that he has learned to embrace his “inner jackass.” But all joking aside, McMillan said magic and being Mulee Pete have helped him discover his identity and transform a once quiet, bookish boy into an energetic entertainer.
McMillan’s interest in the art first sparked at age 10 when he discovered Merlin’s Magic Shop during a family trip to Disneyland. Magic entered his life again four years later in the form of a show put on by the Hollywood-based Magic Castle. He stumbled upon their rehearsal in his junior high school’s auditorium and was invited to participate in a few tricks, for which he received a free ticket to the actual program, and inspired him to visit local magic shops to build his own repertoire.
He started performing professionally while serving in the United States Navy in the 1970‘s, also donating his time and skills to entertain the Enlisted Men’s Club on base.
After retiring, McMillan immersed himself even more deeply in magic and partnered with the Bar-G Wranglers, a Western-themed music group performing at Ebenezer’s Barn & Grill in Bryce Canyon City. Noticing a trend of early arrivals to the performance, he created a solo pre-show program called Mulee’s Magick, featuring tricks such as multiplying bottles, the Miser’s Dream (sleight-of-hand with coins) and the humorous Annie Oakley’s Sure Shooting Show.
The act was so well-received that in 2009, he was asked to host Ebenezer’s new Cowboy Dinner Show, where he remained for just over a year. He has also appeared in various community theater productions in recent years.
McMillan is currently developing a Victorian-era-themed parlor show, which he plans to perform locally when complete. It will demonstrate tricks used by 19th-century mediums to contact departed relatives, including McMillan’s own great uncle.
Keeping up with his lifelong love of magic, McMillan is forming a twice-monthly fellowship where other enthusiasts can gather. He said that in today’s world of technology, almost anyone can study a magic trick on the internet – learning presentation and sharing it with others is the difficult part. Participants of all ages and skill levels, from veterans to beginners, are encouraged to give it a try.
“Some people enjoy the challenge of mastering a skill like magic, (while) others need a confidence builder,” McMillan said. “I would like (anyone) interested to come out and enjoy the awe and wonder of the magical arts. But mainly, let’s have some fun.”
Randy “Mick” McDonald, a St. George-based magician who has been performing for over 40 years, said: “When you are trying to keep the secrets of (your act), yet looking for camaraderie it becomes quite a lonely road to walk. (This club) is a great outlet to talk about the art of magic and I support Pete all the way.”
Though a definite time, date and location for the inaugural fellowship meeting are yet to be set, McMillan said he believes enough people have a desire to pursue magic and will make it a success. Anyone interested may contact him personally at (435) 225-6322 or [email protected].
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Copyright 2012 St. George News.
Terrific Article…so happy to see this! Pete is pretty Awesome, I ought to know! 😉
Good Luck with the Magik, Mulee!!
One should be suspicious of these types. It often turns out that puppeteers and magicians who entertain children are extremely predatory pedophiles.
Screw you. He’s not even a children’s magician; read the article.
Best of luck with the club, Mulee Pete. I hope you find some nice folks with a vested interest and form some lasting friendships.
Mulee Pete is one of the best entertainers I have seen in a long time!! It’s too bad that certain people will minimize and mock the love and joy that the performing arts can bring, (pointing a finger at Murat who obviously doesn’t get out much). Keep a smile on your face Mulee, and magik in your heart, or up your sleeve!!! See you soon.
I am not mocking anything, merely urging caution.
Thank you Miss Feather! Mighty kind of you to say. You, Reckless and Mustang are of course honorary members of the fellowship.
Pete
Dear Murat,
Sorry to hear that you had a negative experience with magicians and puppeteers
and hope you find relief from the memories. If you would like, you could monitor the
meetings.
I personally have not had a negative experience with these types, however, I’ve read numerous stories about their often dubious nature.
“Murat” aka: STGNews Mr. Negativity. Just check out all his posts on different topics on this site.
I prefer Murat Resident Troll.
Judging from media reporting pedophilia is more rampant among ecclesiastical leader and athletic coach than magician. Magician scandal seem more involving with their assistant and young attractive lady who find Mr. Copperfield and other handsome magician to their liking and who can blame them for that? Much luck and success to Mr. Mulee
Murat – I know Pete McMillan personally. You have taken a page from Senator Reid’s book by making unfounded statements without proof or with no disregard for the reputation of the person to whom you refer. I think if you have no clear evidence, proof or example to substantiate your statement then you should refrain from comment. If your only basis for your comment is in ‘reading stories’ – that is not enough to impune Pete’s character by inference.
Pete is a generous, hard-working individual who has been involved in many fundraisers for Wounded Warriors, BACA, the Special Olympics, and Special Needs classes.
What charities and fundraisers have you participated in, what contributions do you make towards the communities and what do you do to change the welfare of others?
I am making general statements about ‘magicians’ and ‘puppeteers’ in general based on my own observations. This is not a crime and I will not refrain from exercising my rights. I have not attacked Pete McMillan personally. As for what I do, for the past decade I’ve contributed a cumulative total of about $2.5 million to the Child Fund. I’ve fed a lot of children. WHAT DO YOU DO, GARY EVERETT?
I have performed fundraisers for local community groups also, served in the military, as well as carried out search and rescue on a world scale. I’ve helped Pete raise money for those groups he supports. Perhaps you could best serve the community by making contributions locally and being supportive of those who try to make this community a better place. Remember, “charity begins at home”. You are entitled to your opinion – free speech being what it is.
I don’t care for such small-mindedness as ‘keeping it in the community.’ The world is my community, sir.
Murat has done many things and has knowledge on everything as it’s easy to be anything and Make/Donate/etc anything to anyone.. It is best to ignore his postings as they tend to be as inflammatory as possible. As most of you are new posters, please just ignore his comments. The world will be a better place. No matter what you post, he is always better and smarter. I attribute it to small man syndrome.
Oh Boy. who would have thunk starting a magic club would raise such issues? But…..as a Vietnam era vet I have faced worse. Fought for the 1st amendment for all Americans.
Gary, thank you my friend for the back up. But internet snipers shoot blanks. I do not think the good folks who attended the first meeting, were scarred from the experience. We will have to get them tested to make sure. By the way, Scandal, how are your quick draw times?
Thank you to “firefly” also for your astute input. You shine the light of information.
As before, I invite any concerned parties to come and monitor our activities at the next meeting Wednesday the 29th of August, 10am Washington County Library branch in Washington City. Or not. As you like.
To those who are interested in magic, in spite of its tainted reputation, feel free to join in on the fun at the above time and place. One of the members works with abused kids, using magic to draw them out to be able to start the healing. But come see for yourselves.
That’s all I have to say about this.
As a long time Magician, father, business owner, and member of this new fellowship, I would add my two cents and maybe some sense. Murat, if you have knowledge of specific individuals within our profession that are a problem; tell the authorities. But to warn about a group of people you have no personal contact with is bigotry. Thank you for warning the community of something they have nothing to fear from. Except your negativity.
Thank you Jarod. See you on the 29th, or if you would like to, drop me a line or a dime. 225-6322 [email protected]
It’s obvious Murat is just trolling the article. So far, he/she/they have typed an essay in replies about how he/she/they should expect magicians and puppeteers are all pedophiles, but have brought up zero evidence in response. This person relies on the fact that they will get a response. This person will post one article from the 80’s about a magician eating a child, but will fail to find the years and years of entertainers that made their buck entertaining children- something they did successfully and found it worthwhile their time.
.
I haven’t even read the article, but I’m comfortable in stating everything is just fine here.
Meeting Time Change
2nd and 4th Wednesday, 10 am Washington CITY library, room A.
[email protected]