The resident magician at the planned Pat Boone Theater in Myrtle Beach gave a glimpse of his tricks - with help from Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes - on Thursday.

Morgan Strebler, who has been an illusionist in Las Vegas, bent, broke and melted forks with Rhodes during a news conference at the theater that is moving into the former NASCAR Cafe.

The theater at U.S. 17 Bypass and 21st Avenue North plans to open by August, and Boone, who turned 77 on Wednesday, will be at the premiere and perform 14 times a year, theater officials said. The venue also will have gospel concerts, Christmas shows, a Boone museum with some of his memorabilia and an Illusions ultra lounge, a late-night spot.

The Boone theater, which officials announced in January 2010 was coming to Myrtle Beach, originally aimed to open a year ago, but was delayed by the down economy, theater officials said.

"It did take us awhile to get here," said Glenn Milligan, CEO of Liquid Metal Productions, which is bringing the show to Myrtle Beach. "We are here for the long haul."