LAS VEGAS - The magic capital of the world, Las Vegas, is home to some of the greatest magicians to ever perform. Some are known to many like Siegfried and Roy, Penn and Teller and David Copperfield while others are trying to be the next big name, like Morgan Strebler.

Strebler, who is from Sikeston and goes by Morgan on stage, has been in Las Vegas for over a year and already is making a name for himself. He has been on the BBC in London and Scotland and has also been on the cover of the L.A. Times. Now he is pitching his show to several casinos in Las Vegas, hoping to land a showroom.

Strebler, 24, began performing magic when he was a kid but it was more of a hobby to him. When he was about 17 or 18 he started to really get into the performing and by 19 he was doing it all of the time.

"It is something he has always enjoyed," said Brenda Strebler, Morgan's mother. "I bought him his first magic set when he was six-years-old and he has enjoyed it ever since."

Strebler made his name in the Sikeston area, performing such tricks as catching a speeding bullet with his teeth, but now his show has grown to greater proportions.

"It is kind of like a dream really," Strebler said. "When I came out here you could pretty much fit my show in the back of my Blazer and now it takes two semi-trucks. I never really thought it would get this big."

The bigger the vision got, the more people Strebler needed to be in the show. Currently there is a cast of 20, including his wife Mikala and son, Caleb.

"(Caleb) turns into me at the beginning of the show," Strebler said. "(Mikala) started basically when we got here."

Mikala said her husband asked her to be in a production he was involved with when they first moved to Las Vegas and she agreed. Since, she too has found a love for the magic.

"It is a lot of fun and it is very exciting," Mikala said. "We've been really busy the past year."

Strebler and his wife, along with their new producer, Brian Dixon who also produces the show Caesar's Magical Empire, have been working on a new hour-and-a-half show they are pitching to casinos.

"Hopefully this new show will go well," the humble Strebler said. "It is a really big show. We cut out all of the boxes and sheets and it is basically all visual magic."

In one scene, Strebler cuts Mikala, and the table she is on, in half without her being in a box or being covered by a sheet. In another scene, Strebler walks through a sheet of metal.

"I like the effect (the show) has on people, the entertainment value,,, Strebler said. "It is a lot like watching an action movie right there live."

While Strebler and his wife are pitching the show to casinos they are also working on another trick, one that will draw the attention of many people.

"We are working on a show where we will be under water for three days," said Strebler, who is known as the people's magician. "It will be webcast live over the Internet so people can watch us. Also, it is going to be where people can walk by on the street and see us. I am really looking forward to it." While his tricks are very entertaining, they also carry a danger which naturally worries his mother.

"I don't know how they are done," she said of the tricks. "I would feel much better if I did and I knew he wasn't in any danger."

No matter how much success Strebler and his wife have in the magic world, they are very appreciative of their families and the help they have received.

"We really want to thank our parents and family," Strebler said. "They have been extremely supportive and helped us a lot."

Meanwhile, his family is extremely proud of the magician Strebler has become.

"I knew he would get there," Mrs. Strebler said. "He works and tries so hard. He is his biggest supporter and he will try anything. I have a lot of faith in him, I just wish he was closer to home."

Strebler said he also owes a lot to Jeannie Williams who helped him when he was just getting started.

"I've got a lot of friends and family back there," Strebler said. "To me it is home."

Friends and family can keep up with Morgan and Mikala through their web site at www.magicofmorgan.com. While it is new, Strebler said it is going to grow pretty quickly and hopes to have streaming video clips and much more soon.

While his web site grows so does the future of Strebler and his magic. If all goes well, Las Vegas could soon be known as the home of another great magician, Morgan Strebler.