Fans, Students Gather to Watch Newporter on America's Got Talent Tonight

Tonight’s the night that Newporter and University of Rhode Island Grad Mat Franco once again brings his dazzling magic act to millions of Americans as he competes in the semifinals of the popular NBC show, America’s Got Talent.

A viewing party has been planned at the URI campus tonight at Rhody Market in Hope Commons, 19 Butterfield Road, Kingston. The fun begins around 9 p.m. with free popcorn and other appetizers along with a chance to win a large Mat Franco cutout — perfect for that final piece of decor to make your dorm room design complete.

Franco, who has been performing for freshman orientation classes since he was a student, is hoping to earn a spot in the finals tonight.

On Aug. 6, Franco won his spot in the semis with a mind-blowing trick that had Judge Howie Mandel mystified after Franco seems to have made a card appear in Mandel’s back pot out of thin air.

Franco has been obsessed with magic since his boyhood, studying magicians he watched on TV and recording shows for repeated study. By the age of 12, he was in Las Vegas to learn from the masters and in no time he was hired to perform at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, eventually winning awards in competition after competition.

Franco has tapped into college-aged audiences since the day he appeared on campus as a freshman. He has developed a wild and dazzling show that blends classic as well as innovative magic and illusion with a solid dose of college humor.

Franco is also the founder of Franco Talent, a speciality talent agency featuring a slate of top college performers.

Franco said he’s “so pumped” to be in the semifinals, thanking fans for the votes that propelled him to the next round.

“Thank you thank you thank you for all your love and votes!!” he tweeted.

America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC.

Check out his Twitter feed below as well as a video of his winning performance last month.