Why not?
The first HS talent show I ever did consisted of Abbott's Arrow Head Illusion and The Ghost Walks (torture board escape). The next year I did the straitjacket.
The escapes went over well.

Agreed, escapes can go over every well in a talent show. I have used them many times. The next tallent show we have (for a fund raiser), I plan on doing my SJ and chains escape. Its never failed me, I might not win, but I still get the audience going. I can see them struggling with me.

if you have the money card rap sounds cool.

I think whoever said not to do the escapes advised that to give your material some more common ground. Most of your tricks are fine, but you have a lot of unrelated tricks. However, I personally think with some work you could transition between them smoothy, but some performers have a harder time doing that because it takes more work. I just think its worth the extra work if I like all the stuff and its all different. Usually I perform for my specific audience though. I just usually do what I think they want to see the most and go with that. But thats up to you.

the key is to make them flow and work with the presentation.

I agree
You will need some bigger affects
Not thumbtip
The music is going to have to flow
But the main problem is whos going to control the music and put away your trick you just cant keep walking off stage putting up your tricks
Well I hope you do good and make sure your rehearsed

You just love bringing back old topics, don't you?

Duke, why not use a TT?

If you know what you are doing, Thumb Tips are GREAT.