Headliner Lance Burton cancels shows through June 2

By Mary Manning

Published Friday, May 8, 2009 | 2:40 p.m.

Updated Friday, May 8, 2009 | 8:07 p.m.

Las Vegas performer Lance Burton will be offstage at the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino until June 2 after he broke a bone in his right foot.

This is the first time in the 15,000 shows he has performed in more than 30 years that Burton has broken a bone, said his publicist, Wayne Bernath. Burton has been at the Monte Carlo for the past 13 years.

He will undergo surgery on Monday for the broken bone. All tickets are refundable from the place they were purchased.

Burton noticed something wrong 15 minutes into the 7 p.m. show Thursday at the Monte Carlo, Bernath said. "But he didn't know it was this serious at the time," he said.

The magician plans to return to his normal schedule as soon as possible, Bernath said.

An on-stage appearance at age 5 years with a traveling magician appearing in Kentucky and a small magic book given to Burton by a neighbor launched his passion and his career.

Born into a Kentucky farm family not far from Louisville on March 10, 1960, Burton quickly became a top magician. In July 1980 at age 20, Burton became the youngest person to receive the Gold Award for Excellence from the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the world's largest magic society.

Burton moved to California, working at the Magic Castle, and made the first of many appearances on the Johnny Carson late-night TV show. Carson allowed Burton to do his entire 12-minute act that eventually earned him a featured spot in the Tropicana Hotel's "Folies Bergere." Burton arrived at the Tropicana for eight weeks and stayed for nearly 10 years.

During his decade at the Tropicana, Burton performed his illusions in full formal attire, never speaking a word.

He won the Grand Prix on July 10, 1982 at the Federation Internationale of Magic in Lausanne, Switzerland, the youngest person and first American who had been honored.

During five years at the former Hacienda Hotel, Burton developed more illusions and began speaking to the audience.

Burton is also known for his work with children through the Shriners and Variety Club.