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Arts & Entertainment

Local Couple Go Global with Quick Change Act

A Glenview couple's quick change act, "David and Dania present A Magical Transformation," brings a special spark to stages worldwide.

When Glenview couple David Michael Maas and Dania Kaseeva met, there was magic in the air. Literally. He was a ringmaster, singer and emcee for the Big Apple Circus in New York City. She had a popular hula-hoop act in the world-renowned Moscow State Circus. When she brought her act to the United States, the couple met, married and searched for a way to unite their passions.

Their act, "David & Dania: A Magical Transformation," evolved from their interest in magic, design and dance.

"I had a passion for magic," said Maas. "It developed into quick change with a little magic."

Ballroom dance was brought into the act because both Maas and Kaseeva wanted to play balanced roles. "We never, ever wanted to be a magician on the stage and an assistant," Maas said. "We wanted to do something that would make you equal on the stage."

The couple sought the help of world-renowned ballroom dance instructor Bruno Collins, and still work with him to this day.

The entertainment industry is home for Maas and Kaseeva. Maas grew up with musician parents. When he was young, his parents moved to Florida, where his father wrote music for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. Maas then became an acrobat, singer and ringmaster. Kaseeva grew up in the entertainment industry as a second-generation circus performer in Russia.

The couple's creative pasts helped them form their current act. "Ninety-nine percent of what you see in the show is our own concept," said Maas. The unique show, in which the couple performs dances between extremely fast costume changes, is made to be performed in front of any size audience.

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"We can do this act with 10 people or with 20,000 out in the middle of an auditorium," he added. "To work completely surrounded is very difficult for most magicians."

For almost 14 years, A Magical Transformation has wowed audiences. The couple has performed throughout the world. Maas said his favorite overseas performance came when the act received higher television ratings at a South American music festival than Rod Stewart.

"It was magnificent," he said. "It's just so unusual to see what we do."

Maas said the pair's first big break in the U.S. came at The Showboat casino in Atlantic City. Since then, they have been featured on every major U.S. television network. They have performed on Oprah, The Ellen Degeneres Show and America's Got Talent.

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The couple even has performed for heads of state: Queen Elizabeth of England saw them perform in the Royal Variety Performance and former President George  Bush has seen them perform live three times.

When they signed a long-term contract with the NBA to perform at half-time shows, it became necessary for the couple to live in a central location. They settled in Glenview six years ago, and have been based in the Chicago area ever since, Maas said.

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