David Maas

David Michael Maas (March 15, 1963 – November 22, 2020) was an American magician, circus performer, and entertainer.[1]

For the professor of history, see David E. Maas.

Early life

Maas was born in Missouri. His father was the music director of the Sarasota-based Circus Hall of Fame; his mother was a singer and performer.[2]

Career

He began his career as a magician and worked for the Big Apple Circus as a ringmaster, singer, and emcee.[3] Maas was part of the “A Magical Transformation,” and “Quick Change,” both magical performances he founded in 1996 with his wife, Dania Kaseeva.[4]

ESPN named Maas and his wife “the most successful halftime act in sports” in 2011.[5] In 2014, Sporting News named them the “best halftime show in basketball.” [6] They were named entertainers of the year at the Showboat Casino, Atlantic City.[7]

They performed on Oprah, The Ellen Degeneres Show and for Queen Elizabeth, in the Royal Variety Performance, and former President George H. W. Bush, who had them at his home for at least three live performances. The act’s 2006 performance on America's Got Talent was noted when Maas defended the routine to Piers Morgan’s criticism.[8]

He performed in all 30 of the NBA’s arenas, with a contract for halftime performances,[9] as well as 15 WNBA arenas and more than 75 university stadiums. [10] Maas was a consultant for Katy Perry and trained her on quick costume changes. [11]

Death

Maas died from COVID-19 at a Chicago area hospital, on November 22, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois. He was 57.

References
  1. Dodd, Rustin. "Remembering David Maas: One half of NBA halftime staple 'Quick Change'". The Athletic. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  2. Victor, Daniel (2020-11-24). "David Maas, Half of 'Quick Change' Magic Act, Dies of Covid-19". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  3. "Local Couple Go Global with Quick Change Act". Glenview, IL Patch. 2010-09-09. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  4. "David Maas, part of iconic 'Quick Change' NBA halftime show, dies of COVID-19". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  5. "OTL: Seven Minutes of Wow". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  6. "Ranking the best halftime performances in college basketball". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  7. "David & Dania (USA)". Magic Unlimited!. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  8. "Love for Life: David and Dania Maas". Better Chicago. 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  9. Koerner, Brendan (2006-03-24). "The quick-change artists who dominate the NBA halftime circuit". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  10. "Sports world reacts to the death of halftime entertainment legend and 'Quick Change' legend David Maas". ESPN.com. 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  11. Ehrlich, Brenna. "The Secret To Katy Perry's Super-Fast Costume Changes? This Duo Of Circus Stars". MTV News. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
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