At the end of the day, what truly defines a con? For acclaimed comedian and magician Ben Seidman – a University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire alumnus – the con has evolved beyond the simple act to persuade a person or promote a belief.

In “Con Man (A True Crime Magic Show)” on April 11 at the Pablo Center at the Confluence (128 Graham Ave., Eau Claire), Seidman dealt local audiences a joyfully deceiving spectacle where life’s chronicled swindles took center stage.

The evening began with a crash course history lesson on the “confidence man,” or what we know today as the “con man.”

He cites examples from early American criminal William Thompson, to more recent fraudsters like Frank Abagnale Jr. and Elizabeth Holmes – all of whom exploited trust for personal gain.

Through sleight of hand demonstrations, Seidman brings these stories to the contemporary world as he maneuvers the sliding scale of the audiences’ beliefs.

“Magic is deception, but it is one of the only kinds of deception we can experience safely. It lets us encounter false conclusions without real harm,” Seidman shared in the event program. “In that way, it can reveal something useful: we cannot believe everything we see, everything we hear, or everything we think.”

The show continued with a graceful rendition of the “Ring Watch Wonder” – Seidman’s compelling evolution of Tommy Wonder’s signature effect. A true ace of deception, Seidman makes tricks – many of which have been mastered for over a decade – appear seamless to viewers.

He builds the viewer’s confidence that they have solved the trick – only to abruptly flip the script and utterly confound them.

Both on stage and in Seidman’s everyday life, he craves acts of “real magic.” As he welcomed new audiences members to the stage, Seidman enacted his quest through the powerful art of pickpocketing and more.

As Seidman foretold, the audience’s trust was further challenged as the event wrapped up. His magic spilled beyond the theater’s four walls as he uncovered intimate and personal details about attendees.

“Growing up, I always doubted (magic) or didn’t fully believe in it,” Jessica Klopatek, an audience member and volunteer in Con Man, said. “But especially this show tonight – and being up there not knowing (Ben) – I was amazed by it. I was moved (and) I believe now.”

Was it truly all possible to believe? Skeptics may have a different opinion. Despite this, Seidman believes the search for real magic endures around us – ready be discovered by the next talented act.

Learn more about Ben Seidman’s new original show, “Con Man (A True Crime Magic Show),” online at VolumeOne.org and conmanshow.com.