GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (ANS) -- The only show currently touring the western hemisphere performing the water torture cell escape immortalized by Harry Houdini will be touring through ten states this fall in 17 different cities.

Performing with master illusionist husband Kevin Ridgeway, Kristen Johnson, recognized as the world’s premier female escape artist, is the only woman attempting this suspenseful escape.

In many of the shows Ridgeway and Johnson share about their personal faith in Jesus Christ, and offer people the opportunity to accept Christ.

According to a news release, Ridgeway and Johnson just completed performances to live audiences totaling 160,000 people in Canada at the Canadian National Exhibition, the Western Fairgrounds in London, Ontario and a performance on Canada’s 100 Huntley Street that aired nationally to thousands more throughout North America.

The news release said that among the magic community and historians there is no disputing the fact that Johnson is only the fifth female in the history of the world to even attempt this escape. The amazing escape is also carried out in full view. Every escape artist, including Houdini himself, covered the water cell with a veil not allowing the audience to actually see the escape.

Ridgeway and Johnson’s show is family friendly, but with its adrenaline-laced performance is still edgy enough to attract a large number of adults and students.

Nothing is more heart pounding than to watch Johnson hold her breath while she picks the locks that entomb her in a potentially watery grave. The news release said she averages two minutes and 45 seconds in the underwater escape; however she has encountered several events where it has taken up to three minutes and 15 seconds to free herself.

Since most people in the audience have never witnessed this daring event first hand, they are captivated as they watch an audience member help shackle and chain Johnson with locks, Smith and Wesson handcuffs and leg irons before she is immersed in water and the lid padlocked into place above her head.

The news release stated that at the event, Ridgeway offers a $10,000.00 challenge to anyone who can prove that Johnson takes a second breath, uses an underwater breathing apparatus or a key once she has dropped below the water. Her record underwater is currently three minutes and 15 seconds.

Having performed this escape 520 times Johnson has set her goal to outdo Houdini who performed this trick 1000 times in his career.

Performing for over 10 years, Ridgeway and Johnson were recently given the top award in their field during the 4th Annual International Escape Convention where they unveiled their futuristic 360 degree Full View Water Torture Cell Escape.

The news release stated that Johnson was also featured as the only woman on the Discovery Channel produced TV special “Inside the Houdini Museum,” highlighting the life and escapes of Houdini. On the documentary she performed the Spike Escape, where she was handcuffed under a bed of 13 razor sharp spikes with only seconds to escape before they sliced through her body.

In addition to the full view water torture cell escape, the couple perform dozens of other escapes and illusions.

The news release said that the couple recently appeared in ten cities with country music artist Michael Peterson at dozens of school assemblies for a U.S. Army tour, appeared at a Will Graham Celebration (Billy Graham’s grandson) in Burleson, Texas. They also visited Istanbul, Turkey where they performed on a nationally broadcast television show there to very positive reviews.

Another first among touring shows in North America is Ridgeway and Johnson’s 747 Jet Turbine escape. Eleven feet tall by eleven feet wide and eight feet long, this illusion is one of only four ever built in the world. The rest are in permanent locations in the eastern hemisphere. The audience is mesmerized as they watch and hear the jet turbine wind up and Johnson handcuffed down and pushed into the spinning blades.

The news release said that the audience leave each show with a new respect for the illusion and escape art form, with many people saying, “That’s amazing, “ “WOW,” and asking each other “How did they do that?”

A full listing of cities and dates of their performances can be found at http://markbellpresents.com  or http://livingillusions.com/ 
 

Jeremy Reynalds is a freelance writer and the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, http://www.joyjunction.org He has a master's degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is "The Face of Homelessness." Additional details are available at http://www.HomelessBook.com. Reynalds' upcoming book is "We All Need a Little Help." It will be released on October 3 2008. He lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds at jeremyreynalds@comcast.net. Tel: (505) 400-7145. Note: A higher resolution JPEG picture of Jeremy Reynalds is available on request from Dan Wooding at danjuma1@aol.com.