Michigan City stage magician Matt Kalita has teamed with director Dean Christakis, who has a master of arts from Harvard and a doctorate from the University of Illinois-Chicago, to complete their first big-screen film project.
“First String 2: The Greenwood 20 Quest for the Great Dante” was completed earlier this year in time for submission to all the annual film festivals.
“I’m very proud that the feature film which I wrote, produced and directed has won more than 30 laurels on the film festival circuit in North America and the world for 2025-2026,” Christakis said.
“So far, awards have been received for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Producer, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor and Actress and Best Ensemble Acting, Cinematography, Editing, Sound and Costuming. I’m grateful to Matt and the outstanding cast and crew and family and friends who have shared in this most extraordinary time in my life.”
Inspired by actual events, “First String 2” is described on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) as “a sophisticated, dynamic, powerful and dramatic film, with musical and historical overtones, set in both the 1930s and in present times. The movie establishes historical and storyline links between Depression Era America, the Soviet Union under Stalin, the Jerusalem Five, Dante the Great (aka Harry Jansen, an internationally famous magician), along with a rare violin from the Stradivari workshop, the Vatican and two future Popes. Students back in the USA who attend a Depression Era one-room schoolhouse of which Dante is an alumnus are involved with the greatest attempt at an escape in movies since The Shawshank Redemption.”
Kalita is cast as magician Harry Jansen, and he shares the screen with Chicago actor and television star Kevin Anderson, who played the lead priest-turned-detective on the 1997 ABC series “Nothing Sacred” as well as “the good boyfriend” opposite Julia Roberts in the 1991 film “Sleeping with the Enemy.”
“We are currently shopping the film around for a Chicagoland or Northwest Indiana screening premiere this fall to share our excitement with audiences,” said Kalita, who, along with his stage assistant daughter Mya, is a familiar spell-casting fixture at local events such as Popcorn Festival in Valparaiso, Scarecrow Fest in Wanatah and Oktoberfest in Michigan City.
As Kalita awaits his movie screening date, he will be “all tied up” later this month to salute the 100th anniversary of the death of Harry Houdini, whose spirit entered the afterlife on Oct. 31, 1926.
FAB Magic Co., 212 East State St. in Colon, Michigan, near St. Joseph, is hosting Kalita for a special event at noon on Halloween that will have Kalita replicating Houdini’s now-infamous escape from an 85-gallon steel barrel of water. He will be handcuffed and bolted into the metal barrel holding the water with a death-defying plan to escape before his oxygen runs out, resulting in drowning.
Colon, Michigan, is famous for its many magic shops and its history of magicians who have passed through with performances dating back to the 1800s. Colon also boasts what is recognized as the country’s largest cemetery to contain the remains of famous magicians. The Great Harry Blackstone Sr. was one of the first magicians to make Colon his home base during the touring days of vaudeville. For more details on the Halloween event, contact FAB Magic Co. owner Rick Fisher at (269) 285-3046.
ITALIAN CHARITY TALENT
President Gina Geiss and secretary Lauren DeGiulio, along with the members of the Italian American Women’s Club of Lake County for Northwest Indiana, happily report their club’s recent $10,000 Cuori Aperti Award presentation to Safe Haven Baby Boxes.
Cuori Aperti is the Italian term for “Open Hearts,” and fundraising was the goal of the Italian American Women’s Club of Lake County’s inaugural spaghetti dinner fundraiser, held in April.
In addition to the $25 dinner admission ticket sales, additional funds were raised through table sponsorships, a silent auction, raffles and a bake sale of homemade specialties, all donated by club members. Live entertainment was provided by comedian Vito Zatto.
Following the fundraiser dinner, all active members of the Italian American Women’s Club were invited to nominate nonprofit organizations they felt were deserving of the funds.
More Top Picks Apple Iphone 17 Vs 17 Pro Vs 17 Pro Max Vs Air
Representatives from the nominated organizations were then invited to speak to club members at the final meeting of the year in June. Members were able to hear directly from each organization about its mission and the individuals and communities it serves.
Club members then voted to determine the recipient.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes received the most votes, and the $10,000 check was formally presented during a small ceremony in September.
Mariah Betz, assistant project coordinator for Safe Haven Baby Boxes, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. Betz has been involved with Safe Haven Baby Boxes through both volunteering and employment for a combined 10 years and has watched the organization grow from its early beginnings.
The first Safe Haven Baby Box was installed in Woodburn, Indiana, in April 2016. The organization’s mission focuses on preventing the illegal abandonment of newborns and providing a safe and anonymous option for parents in crisis.
In Northwest Indiana, Safe Haven Baby Boxes are located in Munster, Schererville, Highland, East Chicago, Gary, Merrillville, Hobart, Crown Point, Lake Station, Portage, Valparaiso and Chesterton.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at [email protected].