Ondřej Pšenička in 52 Lovers Wednesdays at Chicago Magic Lounge Through August 26, 2026

 Chi, IL Live Shows on our Radar:

Chicago Magic Lounge Welcomes Back Fan Favorite

Ondřej Pšenička in

52 Lovers

for a limited run this summer

Photo Credit for all: Michael Brosilow

Guest Review

by Dugan Kenaz-Mara

The night started off with the classic Magic parlor experience. My partner and I were led to our seats by a lovely host, ordered drinks from a kind waiter, and then got to experience some close-up sleight-of-hand card magic right at our table. This time around, we had the pleasure of seeing the wonderful work of Abby Segal (https://www.abbysegalmagic.com/), who has a soft and gentle approach to blowing our minds. Even with tricks I had seen before, she made them look and feel personal, which merits a special shout-out at the beginning of this review. 

After about an hour of table magic and getting food and drinks settled, each member of the audience was given a secret little envelope. A handful of lucky audience members were also given an extra card with instructions on it for use throughout the show. This act of inclusion was the start of what I would soon find out is a hallmark of Ondřej’s work: the audience is his best friend. 

As soon as the show began I noticed that he came off differently from other magicians. His focus was not on performing tricks himself and “showing off”, but rather on trying to engage the audience. He wasn’t telling a story on stage, but having a conversation. During the time between tricks he often would ask if the audience had any questions, to which someone would respond and lead into the next trick, always accompanied by a short story about how Ondřej learned magic, some of the things he enjoys, or silly little quips. 

The show itself is fairly leisurely. Pšenička takes a slower pace with a good amount of time between tricks, lacking in background music. But, that dead space is made up for in the unique way he does his tricks. Or rather, gets others to do them. The highlight of much of his magic is that he can get audience members to perform magic without any prior instructions. For example, a trick I am still absolutely baffled by (that was featured on his first appearance of Penn and Teller’s ‘Fool Us’) didn’t even require the magician on stage! For this trick, Ondřej called an audience member on stage, gave them headphones to wear, and sat off to the side eating popcorn while the audience member searched a deck of cards, narrowing it down until he found a specific card, picked at random by another audience member earlier. 

Tricks like that, and the pre-scripted audience interactions, highlight what makes 52 Lovers so interesting: It makes you think about how magic is constructed. When someone other than the magician is able to perform their trick, it forces you to consider how carefully and intentionally everything is set up and really provides perspective on the level of trickery involved. It’s especially interesting in this case because Ondřej is not quiet about when he’s forcing a card, sometimes even openly explaining what he’s doing. It all feels very clever. 

And he even manages to tie everything together at the end. Remember those secret envelopes I mentioned? By the end of the show, everyone in the audience gets to do their own personal little bit of magic with the contents (no spoilers as to what’s inside). 

If you’re interested in a slower-paced, relaxed magic show, I would recommend 52 Lovers. Recommended. Three out of four stars.★★★ 

Dugan Kenaz-Mara is a Chicago based designer, photographer, educator, and graduate of Northwestern University's theatre program.

Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago’s home for close-up magic, announces the return of world-renowned magician Ondřej Pšenička in a limited run of his hit show 52 Lovers, directed by Stepan Gajdos. Spend an evening with one of magic’s most inventive contemporary voices in 52 Lovers, an intimate performance presented up close in Chicago Magic Lounge’s Harry Blackstone Cabaret theater. Quirky, disarming, and brilliantly original, Pšenička blends offbeat humor with world-class sleight of hand in a style entirely his own.

52 Lovers plays Wednesdays at 7:00pm, July 1 – August 26, 2026. Tickets are priced $44 (Standard) and $50 (Front Row), plus applicable fees. Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge shows are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com.

A true innovator, Ondřej combines original creations with expertly curated effects, delivered with a playful unpredictability that keeps audiences leaning in. With a subtle current of absurdism throughout, 52 Lovers is sharp, surprising, and delightfully off-center—showcasing expert technique with an effortless touch that makes the impossible look easy.

Each evening begins with close-up magic performed right at your table by Chicago Magic Lounge’s talented house magicians. Between visits, guests can socialize, enjoy craft cocktails and small plates, and take in the vintage ambiance of the Harry Blackstone Cabaret.

About Ondřej Pšenička (pronounced ON-dray psheh-NEETCH-kuh)

Ondřej Pšenička is a world-renowned magician celebrated for his inventive approach to card magic and close-up performance. Hailing from the Czech Republic, he has performed on stages across the globe and is a regular at the World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. Known for his quirky humor, subtle surrealism, and technical mastery, Pšenička has baffled audiences worldwide, most notably fooling Penn & Teller three times onPenn & Teller: Fool Us. His creations blend originality, precision, and playfulness, making every performance unforgettable.

Also Happening at Chicago Magic Lounge

The Close-Up Show

Mondays at 7:00pm

Tickets: General Admission $35 - $37

The Showcase

Tuesdays at 7:00pm

Tickets: Standard: $37.50 - $39; Front Row: $42 - $44

The Signature Show

Thursdays-Sundays at 7:00pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 10pm

Tickets: Front Row $89.50 - $103, Premium Main Floor (main floor banquette and main floor cabaret) $76.00 – $95.00, Standard (rail and elevated banquette) $68.50 - $84, Mezzanine $55.00 – $68.00

Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge performances are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com. Chicago Magic Lounge is a 21+ venue. Ages 16+ allowed to ticketed evening shows with a legal guardian.

For a complete schedule of performances and more information about Chicago Magic Lounge, resident and guest performers, and more, please visit chicagomagiclounge.com.

Chicago Magic Lounge Presents "Spellbinder" Walter King, Jr.'s Diary of a Black Illusionist Wednesdays Beginning April 2, 2025

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Chicago Magic Lounge Presents

Exciting New Show by Legendary Chicago Magician

Walter King, Jr., “The Spellbinder”

Diary of a Black Illusionist 

Wednesdays beginning April 2, 2025

Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago’s home for close-up magic, welcomes Walter King Jr., aka The Spellbinder, as its next Artist-In-Residence with his new show Diary of a Black Illusionist. Taking the audience on a journey through his storied career, which began right here in Chicago, The Spellbinder will thrill audiences with his incredible illusions and unforgettable stories. Diary of a Black Illusionist runs Wednesdays at 7:00pm, April 2 – June 25, 2025. I'll be out for the press opening April 26th. Tickets are priced $42 (Main Floor) and $47.50 (Front Row). Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge shows are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com.

Diary of a Black Illusionist combines magic and heartfelt storytelling, inspired by the vibrant energy of Chicago's urban scene. Join Walter as he brings his personal diary to life on stage, sharing entries addressed to his father and revealing how his West Side roots influenced his unique blend of hip-hop dance, music, theater, and mind-bending magic. King's career spans more than four decades - from the epic dance clubs of 1980s Chicago, the grand stages of Las Vegas, viral fame, and international renown with millions of views on social media.

Diary of a Black Illusionist is more than a show—it's a celebration of culture, resilience, and wonder, brought to life by a master entertainer who knows exactly how to leave you astonished, uplifted, and spellbound.

About Walter King, Jr.

Walter King, Jr., “The Spellbinder” is America’s premier Master entertainer of magic and illusion. Born and raised on the Westside of Chicago, Walter is a self-taught illusionist/magician and the first to combine Hip-Hop dance, music, and theater with the visual art of illusion and magic. He is also the first African American Illusionist to perform in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. King, an award-winning illusionist, has performed for nearly 4 decades throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean Islands and has entertained stars like Jennifer Hudson, Gladys Knight, and Chance The Rapper, to name a few. A recent private performance went viral on TikTok and Instagram, accumulating over 15 million views worldwide. During the late 2000s, he was named one of the "Great Performers of Illinois" by the IAC (Illinois Arts Council.) Walter’s incorporation of theater, dance, music, and comedy with illusions never fails to leave audiences SPELLBOUND!

 

Also Happening at Chicago Magic Lounge

The Close-Up Show

Mondays at 7:00pm

Tickets: General Admission $30

 

The Showcase

Tuesdays at 7:00pm

Tickets: Standard: $37.50; Front Row: $42

Artist-in-Residence Series

Trent James’ Static Magic

Wednesdays at 7:00pm through March 28, 2024

Tickets: Standard: $42.50; Front Row: $47.50

 Trent James, a favorite at the Chicago Magic Lounge and the 2020 Artist-in-Residence is back on the Harry Blackstone Cabaret stage with his new one-person show, "Static Magic." This show features amazing magic, comedy, and stories about growing up as a second-generation magician.

 

The Signature Show

Thursdays-Sundays at 7:00pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 10pm, Sundays at 4pm starting May 11th

Tickets: Front Row $89.50 - $96, Premium Main Floor (main floor banquette and main floor cabaret) $76.00 – $82.50, Standard (rail and elevated banquette) $68.50 - $75, Mezzanine $55.00 – 61.50. 

 

Family Show

Sundays at 3:30pm through May 4th

Tickets: Standard: $40; Front Row: $50

 

Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge performances are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com. Chicago Magic Lounge is a 21+ venue. Ages 16+ allowed to ticketed evening shows with a legal guardian. Ages 5+ are allowed to The Family Show. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. The staff and performers of the Chicago magic lounge are fully vaccinated for covid 19. Ticket holders must attest to being fully vaccinated against covid-19 or have tested negative within 48 hours prior to your visit to enter the premises.

For a complete schedule of performances and more information about Chicago Magic Lounge, resident and guest performers, and more, please visit chicagomagiclounge.com.

Chicago Magic Lounge Presents Trent James in Static Magic Wednesdays Beginning January 8, 2025

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Chicago Magic Lounge Presents

Trent James in Static Magic

Wednesdays beginning January 8, 2025

Chicago Magic Lounge also announces new Monday night show, addition of Chef Hunter Moore

Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago’s home for close-up magic, presents the first Artist-In-Residence show of the 2025 season, Trent James’ Static Magic. In this new show from one of the country’s fastest-rising magicians, Trent mixes humor and wit with personal stories growing up as a second-generation magician. Static Magic runs Wednesdays at 7:00pm, January 8 – March 26, 2025. I'll be out for the press opening January 22, so check back shortly after for my full review. Tickets are priced $42 (Main Floor) and $47.50 (Front Row). Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge shows are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com..

The Chicago Magic Lounge proudly presents its newest production, The Close-Up Show. Three featured magicians will perform sleight-of-hand each Monday on the Harry Blackstone Cabaret stage, with the magician's most subtle movements projected live onto the big screen for the audience to see. Enjoy being fooled as you follow the magician's every move. You will have an up-close view of the magic wherever you are seated and might even be part of the act! No two shows are alike!

The Close-Up Show seating begins at 7:00 p.m., and the stage show starts at 7:30 p.m. The show's runtime is approximately 90 minutes, with two brief breaks between acts, and does not include table magic before the stage show.

In addition to welcoming world-class magic talent, Chicago Magic Lounge is pleased to announce the addition of Chef Hunter Moore to its kitchen where he will create a small, exciting menu that changes seasonally and fits in with the concept of Chicago Magic. Examples of new menu items include crab fritters, braised short rib sliders, and flatbread with prosciutto and marinated melon.

About Trent James

Trent James is quickly becoming one of the top magicians working today. Trent adds a fresh spin on an art form that’s been around for centuries. You won’t find him pulling rabbits out of top hats or a dramatic spotlight forcing the audience to take him seriously. He prefers a much more casual approach, combining sleight of hand magic with humor and intimate connection.

At a very young age, he received over twenty awards recognizing his skill in magic, including being the youngest recipient of the prestigious Milbourne Christopher Award, a distinction previously given to David Copperfield and Penn and Teller. Since then, Trent has built a career traveling the world, performing at colleges, comedy clubs, corporate events, luxury cruise ships, and headlining iconic venues such as The Chicago Magic Lounge and The Magic Castle in Hollywood. No matter the circumstances, Trent James will make you fall in love with magic.

About Chef Hunter Moore

At sixteen, Hunter Moore got his first professional job at a cheeseburger joint in Florida. He moved to Champaign-Urbana after high school, where he began to think creatively about food while working at a mom-and-pop Italian spot and a primarily vegan deli and bakery. From there, he moved to Chicago to attend culinary school. Once out of school, Moore worked his way through some of the city’s best kitchens, including Spiaggia, Avec, Girl and the Goat, and Lula Cafe, deepening both his knowledge of and passion for the craft of quality ingredients and seasonality as well as cooking and hospitality in general. Hunter opened Parsonʼs Chicken & Fish in May of 2013 as the Executive Chef, creating an evolving seasonal menu that has received much acclaim and successfully opening four locations.

Also Happening at Chicago Magic Lounge

Music & Magic

Mondays at 7:00pm through December 23, 2024

Tickets: General Admission $30

 

The Showcase

Tuesdays at 7:00pm

Tickets: Standard: $37.50; Front Row: $42

Artist-in-Residence Series

Mister Danny’s Magic In Session

Wednesdays at 7:00pm through December 18, 2024

Tickets: Standard: $42.50; Front Row: $47.50

By day, Mister Danny is Mister Rudnick, an advanced high school chemistry teacher. By night (and weekends and summer break), he practices his lifelong passion as an award-winning professional magician. In Magic in Session, Mister Danny fuses his two professional personas into one, presenting awe-inspiring magic that he has perfected over years of practice and study in a way only a science teacher can. While most magicians go to great lengths to conceal the secrets of magic, Mister Danny believes that the secret is the best part!

The Signature Show

Thursdays-Sundays at 7:00pm, Fridays and Sundays at 10pm

Tickets: Front Row $89.50 - $96, Premium Main Floor (main floor banquette and main floor cabaret) $76.00 – $82.50, Standard (rail and elevated banquette) $68.50 - $75, Mezzanine $55.00 – 61.50. 

 

Family Show

Sundays at 3:30pm

Tickets: Standard: $40; Front Row: $50

Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge performances are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com. Chicago Magic Lounge is a 21+ venue. Ages 16+ allowed to ticketed evening shows with a legal guardian. Ages 5+ are allowed to The Family Show. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. The staff and performers of the Chicago magic lounge are fully vaccinated for covid 19. Ticket holders must attest to being fully vaccinated against covid-19 or have tested negative within 48 hours prior to your visit to enter the premises.

For a complete schedule of performances and more information about Chicago Magic Lounge, resident and guest performers, and more, please visit chicagomagiclounge.com.

REVIEW: Peter Samelson’s Magic, Love, Mystery Now Playing at Chicago Magic Lounge Wednesdays Through March 27, 2024

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Chicago Magic Lounge Presents

Peter Samelson’s

Magic, Love, Mystery

Wednesdays beginning January 10, 2024

Production Photos Courtesy of Chicago Magic Lounge unless otherwise noted.

Chicago Magic Lounge Also Announces Full Slate of 

Winter Programming

Review

By Guest Critic, Dugan Kenaz-Mara 

Prepare yourself for a night of charm at Peter Samelson's Magic, Love, Mystery at The Magic Lounge. 

Dugan and Kit (photo by Kit)

In typical Magic Lounge fashion, the night begins with pre-show table performances as magicians bring close-up tricks directly to your table. Despite arriving after the table magic started we still managed to catch 2 different magicians who completely wowed us. I was especially excited to see some of our favorites who have taken the main stage at previous performances. 

 photo by Dugan Kenaz-Mara

Once Samelson took the stage the atmosphere completely transformed. With the help of slide projections, dim lights, and gentle jazz music, the audience was taken into a detective’s office straight out of a noir film. It was here that we got our role - the audience would be working together with the magician to solve a mystery throughout the course of the show.

Samelson does a great job of tying each of his tricks to the case we are collectively exploring. He sometimes introduces tangential ticks through voice-over narration and clever slides and uses the rest of the tricks to find clues, like names, dates, and locations relating to the case. While the narrative itself was difficult to follow it was still a useful tool, and what the magician lacked in storytelling ability he made up for with skill and experience as a magician.

Theatergoers who appreciate magic and have seen other magicians will recognize some of the tricks in this show but will be surprised at how he adds his own twist to them. Magic, Love, Mystery incorporates a good mix of old and new tricks, as well as variety within the tricks from card magic and restoration to mentalism and predictions. The show even includes props I’ve never seen in a magic show, like the prize inside a box of cracker jacks.

The show does include a lot of audience participation (which is to be expected at a parlor magic show). I appreciate that Samelson brings some of his acts out to individual tables to demonstrate a few stage tricks up close, and I think he does a wonderful job of including as many people as possible. He takes care not to invite the same few people up to the stage and actively seeks willing participants. It is worth noting that his instructions are not always clear and some audience members were uncomfortable being asked to do things onstage (like dancing), but for the most part, everyone had a good time.

Dugan and Kit (photo by Dugan)

Dugan Kenaz-Mara is a designer, photographer, educator, and recent graduate of Northwestern University.

Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago’s home for close-up magic, kicks off its 2024 Artist-In-Residence series with Peter Samelson’s Magic, Love, Mystery. In this mesmerizing performance, Samelson takes you on a journey through the enigmatic world of love, exploring its many forms and revealing its secrets. Magic, Love, Mystery runs Wednesdays at 7:00pm, January 10 – March 27, 2024. Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge shows are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com.

Experience the mystery of love through the eyes of a magician with Peter Samelson's one-man show, Magic, Love, Mystery.

Through his masterful storytelling, Peter explores how love can inspire us, transform us from the inside out, and even transcend death. Minds will be read, the imperceptible bond between soul mates will be revealed, and the boundaries of loss and mortality will be crossed, uncovering how memories shape our past and future.

Prepare for an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, entertainment, and wonder as Peter Samelson takes you on a whimsical journey through the mystery of love. Get ready to experience pure magic and unlock the secrets of love.

About the Artists

Peter Samelson insists he doesn’t do magic, he only helps people to see it. He is an illusionist/entertainer/philosopher, blending simplicity and sophistication as he provokes thought and inspires wonder.

Recently appearing on Penn & Teller's Fool Us, the pair praised Peter Samelson as "one of the greatest living magicians." Samelson, master magician and off -Broadway star, literally wrote the book on Theatrical Magic. Co-founder of New York City's longest running off -Broadway magic show Monday Night Magic and frequent performer at Speakeasy Magick, one of NY's hottest new shows at the McKittrick Hotel, Peter has been hailed as New York's most distinguished illusionist, entertainer, and philosopher. 

Christened “the soft-spoken conceptualist of sorcery” by the New York Times, Peter Samelson is a recipient of the Merlin Award for Lifetime Achievement, Peter is one of the most sought-after theatrical wizards. He has created magic for some of Broadway's biggest plays and musicals including Leap of Faith, Harvey, The Cherry Orchard, The Winter’s Tale, the National Tour of Pippin, the musical Houdini, Carnival at the Papermill Playhouse, Tom Stoppard's Travesties, and the Menotti opera The Consul. Additionally, Peter has created and starred in three critically acclaimed one-man off -Broadway shows: The Magician, PaperWork, and Radnevsky's Real Magic.

What distinguishes Peter from other artists in the field of Illusion is his commitment to making Magic an Art. His performance is more than mere entertainment, touching the hearts of his audiences in a way few evenings can.

Magic, Love, Mystery will be presented on Wednesdays at 7:00pm, January 10 – March 27, 2024. Tickets are priced $42.50 (Main Floor) and $47.50 (Front Row).

Also Happening at Chicago Magic Lounge

Music & Magic

Mondays at 7:00pm

Tickets: General Admission $30

 

The Showcase

Tuesdays at 7:00pm

Tickets: Standard: $35 - $37.50; Front Row: $40 - $42

The Signature Show

Thursdays-Sundays at 7:00pm, Fridays and Sundays at 10pm

Tickets: Front Row $85 - $96, Premium Main Floor (main floor banquette and main floor cabaret) $72.50 – $82.50, Standard (rail and elevated banquette) $65 - $75, Mezzanine $52.50 – 61.50. 

 

Family Show

Sundays at 3:00pm, November 19, December 3 & 17, January 7 & 21

Tickets: Standard: $40; Front Row: $50

Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge performances are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com. Chicago Magic Lounge is a 21+ venue. Ages 16+ allowed to ticketed evening shows with a legal guardian. Ages 5+ are allowed to The Family Show. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. The staff and performers of the Chicago magic lounge are fully vaccinated for covid 19. Ticket holders must attest to being fully vaccinated against covid-19 or have tested negative within 48 hours prior to your visit to enter the premises.

For a complete schedule of performances and more information about Chicago Magic Lounge, resident and guest performers, and more, please visit chicagomagiclounge.com.

 

Peter Samelson's Magic, Love, Mystery at Chicago Magic Lounge Wednesdays January 10 – March 27, 2024

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Experience the mystery of love through the eyes of a magician with Peter Samelson's one-man show, 

Magic, Love, Mystery 

Through his masterful storytelling, Peter explores how love can inspire us, transform us from the inside out, and even transcend death. Minds will be read, the imperceptible bond between soul mates will be revealed, and the boundaries of loss and mortality will be crossed, uncovering how memories shape our past and future. One of my fabulous freelancers, Dugan will be out to review on January 24th, so check back soon for our take on the show. 

Prepare for an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, entertainment, and wonder as Peter Samelson takes you on a whimsical journey through the mystery of love. Get ready to experience pure magic and unlock the secrets of love.

Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago’s home for close-up magic, kicks off its 2024 Artist-In-Residence series with Peter Samelson’s Magic, Love, Mystery. In this mesmerizing performance, Samelson takes you on a journey through the enigmatic world of love, exploring its many forms and revealing its secrets. Magic, Love, Mystery runs Wednesdays at 7:00pm, January 10 – March 27, 2024. Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge shows are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com.

Chicago Magic Lounge Presents Paige Thompson in A Paige in Time Wednesdays beginning October 5, 2022

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Paige Thompson’s A Paige in Time

Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago’s home for close-up magic, continues its Artist-In-Residence series with Paige Thompson’s A Paige in Time, Wednesdays at 7:00pm, October 5 – December 21, 2022. A Chicago Magic Lounge favorite, Thompson’s new show is built on the moments in her life that have shaped her unique approach to magic. Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge shows are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com.

What can you say about Paige Thompson? She's talented and quirky. She loves the Miami Dolphins and Oakland A's. Sequins and stilettos. And, above all else, Magic. Join Paige as she shares moments from her life that have motivated her to pursue her passion and fuel the inspiration for her unique take on Magic. Fun, interactive, and amazing, A Paige in Time is a Magic show with heart.

Paige Thompson travels the world sharing her distinctive brand of Magic. A resident company member of Chicago Magic Lounge, she has also wowed crowds in Branson, Missouri, Liberty Magic in Pittsburgh, the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, and House of Cards in Nashville, Tennessee.

Her television credits include multiple appearances on the CW's Masters of Illusion and as a featured contestant on FOX's Showtime at the Apollo, hosted by Steve Harvey. Most recently, Paige was featured on Penn and Teller: Fool Us. Her international television credits include the highly acclaimed America's Got Talent and Germany's Das Supertalent, where she can be seen working alongside some of the top illusionists in the game.

A Paige in Time will be presented on Wednesdays at 7:00pm, October 5 – December 21, 2022. Tickets are priced $45 (Main Floor) and $50 (Front Row).

Also Happening at Chicago Magic Lounge

Music & Magic

Mondays at 7:00pm

Tickets: General Admission $30

 

The Showcase

Tuesdays at 7:00pm

Tickets: Standard: $35; Front Row: $40

Artist-in-Residence Series

Wednesdays at 7:00pm

Luis Carreon, La Bestia, Now through September 28, 2022

Tickets: Standard: $45; Front Row: $50

What you see is not always what you get. Beneath Luis Carreon's suave and debonair exterior lies La Bestia (The Beast). In his one-man show, Luis combines his jaw-dropping magical skills, his Latin heritage, and off-the-wall comedy to share his real-life experiences, poking fun at stereotypes, cultural differences, and himself. 

Luis Carreon is a highly sought-after entertainer, performing magic across the country – from New York City's Monday Night Magic to House of Cards in Nashville to the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. An award-winning and well-respected magician, Luis regularly travels the country teaching other magicians about the art of magic. He is also a regular performer, fan favorite, and co-founding company member of the Chicago Magic Lounge. 

The Signature Show

Thursdays-Sundays at 7:00pm, Fridays and Sundays at 10pm

Tickets: Front Row $85, Premium Main Floor (main floor banquette and main floor cabaret) $72.50, Standard (rail and elevated banquette) $65, Mezzanine $52.50. 

The Signature Show was conceived in 2015 as an homage to the historic, Chicago magic bar scene. Experience close-up magic right at your table during the cocktail hour, followed by an hour of stage magic featuring masters of their craft performing feats of prestidigitation and sleight of hand. Guests who purchase Premium tickets (Front Row, Main Floor Cabaret, Main Floor Banquette) are invited to an exclusive performance of close-up magic directly after the main stage show in our 43-seat close-up gallery, The 654 Club.

 

Holiday Week

Chicago Magic Lounge presents a week of Signature Shows between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

 

The Holiday week schedule for The Signature Show is as follows:

December 26-30 at 7pm

Thursday, December 29 and Friday, December 30 at 10pm

New Year’s Eve Signature Show, Friday, December 31 at 7pm, New Year's Eve Celebration Show at 10pm

Tickets for performances December 26-30 are (Front Row) $85, (Premium Main Floor) $72.50, (Standard Main Floor) $65, (Mezzanine) $52.50. Tickets to the early New Years Even show are (Front Row) $90, (Premium Main Floor) $77.50, (Standard Main Floor) $70, (Mezzanine) $57.50.

Make your New Year’s Eve extraordinary with a night of magic at The New Year’s Eve Celebration, Saturday, December 31 at 10pm. The evening starts with close-up magic performed right at your cabaret table by our talented house magicians. In between visits, you will have time to socialize with your party and order from our full-service bar and kitchen. Table magic is followed by a 60-minute stage show. Tickets are $80 (Mezzanine); $85 (Standard Main Floor); $95 (Premium Main Floor) and $110 (Front Row). Ticket prices include a champagne toast at midnight and souvenir champagne flute.

Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge performances are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com. Chicago Magic Lounge is a 21+ venue. Ages 16+ allowed to ticketed shows with a legal guardian. 

For the health and safety of our staff, guests and community, you must be fully vaccinated to enter the premises. Ticket holders will be asked to present proof of vaccination status upon arrival.

For a complete schedule of performances and more information about Chicago Magic Lounge, resident and guest performers, and more, please visit chicagomagiclounge.com.

REVIEW: Artist-In-Residence Luis Carreon, La Bestia at Chicago Magic Lounge Wednesdays Through September 28, 2022.

 ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Chicago Magic Lounge Presents

Luis Carreon, La Bestia

Wednesdays Through September 28, 2022 

Guest Review

by Dugan Kenaz-Mara

Chicago Magic Lounge has once again astounded, mystified, and astonished us with another wonderful magic show by Artist-In-Residence Luis Carreon, La Bestia.

From start to finish, the experience was magical. Even as a returning guest, I enjoyed the lead-in to the main stage area and the history of magic that comes along with it. I could also tell that it was breathtaking for my friend who had never been to the magic lounge before. He was fooled multiple times and was exclaiming about how cool it was the entire way to our seats. 

Once we made it to our places, the staff were incredibly kind and the close-up magicians who came to the tables before the show were also great. The best part is how they were willing to play with us when we engaged them in bits. One table magician, while presenting a deck of cards, told us he was going to perform a card trick. When we responded that calling it a “card trick” was apt and questioned whether he had come up with that himself, he countered by telling us he had a team of writers who came up with it for him. It was fun to joke around with him and better still when it didn’t impede his flawless sleight of hand. 

Then, after already being blown away by the magic lounge’s environment, we were blown even further away by Luis Carreon’s performance. While he has a dramatic flair, his most notable feature is his humor. The show is full of pop culture references and he makes tons of jokes, including ones about his heritage and the stereotypes that come along with it. He engaged the audience throughout the whole show and even played a prank on one volunteer. 

I also loved his ability to improvise with what the audience gave him. Some audience members didn’t play along with his jokes and were contrarian, which he was able to turn into more bits to entertain the rest of the audience. On the other hand, there was an audience member who gave him a small heart-shaped chocolate, which he incorporated into his act alongside other heart-shaped props. 

The use of props was also really intriguing to me. He had some of the obvious magician things, like coins and decks of cards, but he also made use of random objects including a house key from a mesh bag of keys, a cardboard box, a stuffed animal with a sombrero, a picture frame, and a piñata. 

Overall, I would count this experience as a good one and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in magic or is looking for a fun night of entertainment. 

Dugan is an actor, designer, and photographer studying theatre and psychology at Northwestern University. This summer you can find him on cast at Bristol Renaissance Fair for the 4th season, dancing, singing, performing street theatre, and juggling knives. Contrary to popular belief, he is not a time traveler.

Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago’s home for close-up magic, continues its Artist-In-Residence series with Luis Carreon, La Bestia, Wednesdays at 7:00pm, July 6 – September 28, 2022. A Chicago Magic Lounge favorite, Carreon showcases his unparalleled skill and mischievous sense of humor in this brand new, Spanish-infused show. Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge shows are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com..

 

What you see is not always what you get. Beneath Luis Carreon's suave and debonair exterior lies La Bestia (The Beast). In his one-man show, Luis combines his jaw-dropping magical skills, his Latin heritage, and off-the-wall comedy to share his real-life experiences, poking fun at stereotypes, cultural differences, and himself. 

 

Luis Carreon is a highly sought-after entertainer, performing magic across the country – from New York City's Monday Night Magic to House of Cards in Nashville to the World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. An award-winning and well-respected magician, Luis regularly travels the country teaching other magicians about the art of magic. He is also a regular performer, fan favorite, and co-founding company member of the Chicago Magic Lounge. 

 

Carreon has made numerous television appearances, domestically and internationally. He has been featured on the Univision Evening News and was a semi-finalist on Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento, the Spanish language equivalent of America's Got Talent.

Luis Carreon, La Bestia will be presented on Wednesdays at 7:00pm, July 6 – September 28, 2022. Tickets are priced $45 (Main Floor) and $50 (Front Row). 

Also Happening at Chicago Magic Lounge

Music & Magic

Mondays at 7:00pm

Tickets: General Admission $25

The Showcase

Tuesdays at 7:00pm

Tickets: Standard: $35; Front Row: $40

Artist-in-Residence Series

Wednesdays at 7:00pm

Sean Masterson’s Message in a Bottle, Now through June 29, 2022

Tickets: Standard: $45; Front Row: $50

The discovery of a message in a bottle makes the past present in Sean Masterson’s very visual and highly deceptive show. Sleight-of-hand magic is seamlessly woven into the true tale of the 19th century battle to decide America’s #1 magician.

In 1912 theatrical impresario Michael B. Leavitt published his 700-page memoir dishing the untold story of this jealousy-fueled battle between his clients, the magic greats Alexander Herrmann and Harry Kellar. Recently, Sean Masterson procured a signed edition of Leavitt’s memoir at auction and together with his research of Harry Houdini’s original archives at the Library of Congress in D.C., he has found the thread that nearly tells the whole tale. All Masterson needs now is a message in a bottle.

The Signature Show

Thursdays-Sundays at 7:00pm, Fridays and Sundays at 10pm

Tickets: Front Row $80, Premium Main Floor (main floor banquette and main floor cabaret) $70, Standard (rail and elevated banquette) $60, Mezzanine $50 

The Signature Show was conceived in 2015 as an homage to the historic, Chicago magic bar scene. Experience close-up magic right at your table during the cocktail hour, followed by an hour of stage magic featuring masters of their craft performing feats of prestidigitation and sleight of hand. Guests who purchase Premium tickets (Front Row, Main Floor Cabaret, Main Floor Banquette) are invited to an exclusive performance of close-up magic directly after the main stage show in our 43-seat close-up gallery, The 654 Club.

Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge performances are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com. Chicago Magic Lounge is a 21+ venue. Ages 16+ allowed to ticketed shows with a legal guardian. 

For the health and safety of our staff, guests and community, you must be fully vaccinated to enter the premises. Ticket holders will be asked to present proof of vaccination status upon arrival.

For a complete schedule of performances and more information about Chicago Magic Lounge, resident and guest performers, and more, please visit chicagomagiclounge.com.

SAVE THE DATES: Sean Masterson’s Message in a Bottle at Chicago Magic Lounge Wednesdays beginning April 6, 2022

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar 

Chicago Magic Lounge Presents

Sean Masterson’s Message in a Bottle

Wednesdays beginning April 6, 2022

**Tickets go on sale February 7, 2022**

Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago’s home for close-up magic, continues its Artist-In-Residence series with Sean Masterson’s Message in a Bottle, Wednesdays at 7:00pm, April 6 – June 29, 2022. Masterson’s combination of magic and storytelling in this brand new show will amaze and enchant audiences. Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge shows are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com.

The discovery of a message in a bottle makes the past present in Sean Masterson’s very visual and highly deceptive show. Sleight-of-hand magic is seamlessly woven into the true tale of the 19th century battle to decide American’s #1 magician.

In 1912 theatrical impresario Michael B. Leavitt published his 700-page memoir dishing the untold story of this jealousy-fueled battle between his clients, the magic greats Alexander Herrmann and Harry Kellar. Recently, Sean Masterson procured a signed edition of Leavitt’s memoir at auction and together with his research of Harry Houdini’s original archives at the Library of Congress in D.C., he has found the thread that nearly tells the whole tale. All Masterson needs now is a message in a bottle.

Sean’s blend of magic and storytelling have been part of the Chicago theater scene since his 1992 run at Shattered Globe Theater. Since then, he has performed in extended runs at Live Bait Theater, The Actors Gymnasium, The Music Box Theater, and Theater Wit. His close-up magic has been seen at many corporate, social events including Abbott Laboratories, The Chicago Architecture Foundation, Copia Capital and The Driehaus Museum. He regularly performs at the Old Town Art Fair and The Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, MI and has made appearances at Festimagic in Paris and The International Theater Festival of Grenoble, France. Each year Sean makes 40 appearances in local children’s hospitals.

Message in a Bottle will be presented on Wednesdays at 7:00pm, April 6 – June 29, 2022. Tickets are priced $45 (Main Floor) and $50 (Front Row). Tickets go on sale February 7, 2022.

Also Happening at Chicago Magic Lounge

 

Music & Magic

Mondays at 7:00pm

Tickets: General Admission $25

 

The Showcase

Tuesdays at 7:00pm

Tickets: Standard: $35; Front Row: $40

Artist-in-Residence Series

Wednesdays at 7:00pm

 

Kayla Drescher: Magic in Heels, Now through March 30, 2022

Tickets: Standard: $45; Front Row: $50

Ever wonder what the life of a magician is like? Join Kayla Drescher on this wild ride of magic, laughter, and interactive fun. And it’s all done in heels…because “magic in pajamas” was already taken.

Kayla Drescher, based in Los Angeles, brings her interactive show to the Chicago Magic Lounge. She’s performed for clients like Microsoft, IBM, Wells Fargo, and many more. You may have seen her on Penn & Teller’s “Fool Us,” Access Hollywood, or NBC’s “Today Show,” where she was given the title “The Next Great Magician” by David Copperfield. Most recently, Kayla could be seen touring the world with the Champions of Magic. Kayla hosts a popular magic podcast, Shezam, focused on diversity and inclusion within the magic and allied arts communities.

 

The Signature Show

Thursdays-Sundays at 7:00pm, Fridays and Sundays at 10pm

Tickets: Front Row $80, Premium Main Floor (main floor banquette and main floor cabaret) $70, Standard (rail and elevated banquette) $60, Mezzanine $50 

The Signature Show was conceived in 2015 as an homage to the historic, Chicago magic bar scene. Experience close-up magic right at your table during the cocktail hour, followed by an hour of stage magic featuring masters of their craft performing feats of prestidigitation and sleight of hand. Guests who purchase Premium tickets (Front Row, Main Floor Cabaret, Main Floor Banquette) are invited to an exclusive performance of close-up magic directly after the main stage show in our 43-seat close-up gallery, The 654 Club.

Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge performances are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com. Chicago Magic Lounge is a 21+ venue. Ages 16+ allowed to ticketed shows with a legal guardian. 

For the health and safety of our staff, guests and community, you must be fully vaccinated to enter the premises. Ticket holders will be asked to present proof of vaccination status upon arrival.

For a complete schedule of performances and more information about Chicago Magic Lounge, resident and guest performers, and more, please visit chicagomagiclounge.com.

Kayla Drescher: Magic in Heels, Holiday Week, New Year’s Eve Performances of The Signature Show And More From Chicago Magic Lounge

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

Chicago Magic Lounge announces next show in Artist-in-Residence series

Kayla Drescher: Magic in Heels

Wednesdays at 7:00pm

January 5 – March 30, 2022

Kayla D by Dana Lynn Photo

Additional Holiday Week and New Year’s Eve performances of

The Signature Show scheduled

December 26-31, 2021

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, Chicago Magic Lounge has long been a favorite of ours. Tickets make a great clutter busting idea for holiday gifting. Add a bit of professional magic to this magical season, creating lasting memories with friends and family. 

Nick Diffatte

We were most recently out at Chicago Magic Lounge to catch Nick Diffatte: Offbeat, now through December 22, 2021 and highly recommend it. His comedic timing is impeccable, and his magic is a unique blend of comedy and mind melting illusions. Offbeat is an entertaining night out, heavy on audience participation, and far from the same old same old magicians have been doing for decades. Treat yourself!

Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago’s home for close-up magic, continues its Artist-In-Residence series with Kayla Drescher: Magic in Heels, Wednesdays at 7:00pm, January 5 – March 30, 2022. Kayla Drescher: Magic in Heels is a wild ride of magic, laughter, and interactive fun, all done in heels because “magic in pajamas” was already taken. Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge shows are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com.

Kayla D by Dana Lynn Photo

Kayla Drescher, based in Los Angeles, brings her interactive show to the Chicago Magic Lounge. She’s performed for clients like Microsoft, IBM, Wells Fargo, and many more. Kayla has been seen on Penn & Teller’s “Fool Us,” Access Hollywood, and NBC’s “Today Show,” where she was given the title “The Next Great Magician” by David Copperfield. Most recently, she could be seen touring the world with the Champions of Magic. Kayla hosts a popular magic podcast, Shezam, focused on diversity and inclusion within the magic and allied arts communities.

Kayla Drescher: Magic in Heels will be presented on Wednesdays at 7:00pm, January 5 – March 30, 2022. Tickets are priced $45 (Main Floor) and $50 (Front Row). Tickets go on sale November 15, 2021.

Special Holiday and New Year’s Eve Performances at Chicago Magic Lounge

Chicago Magic Lounge will add performances of its most popular show, The Signature Show, this holiday season. Tickets for holiday week performances are currently on sale.

Luis Carreon (Headliner)

The Signature Show: Holiday Schedule

December 26-30 at 7pm and December 30 at 10pm

Tickets: $50-$55 (Standard); $65-$75 (Premium, includes 654 Club admission)

Additional Performance on December 31 at 7pm

Tickets: Front Row $95, Main Floor Cabaret and Main Floor Banquette $85, Standard Main Floor $70, Standard Mezzanine $65

Justin Purcell (654 Club)

The Signature Show: New Year’s Eve Celebration

December 31st at 10 pm

Tickets: Front Row $110, Main Floor Cabaret and Main Floor Banquette $95, Standard Main Floor $80, Standard Mezzanine $75

Ryan Plunkett (Featured Act)

Make your New Year’s Eve extraordinary with a night of magic! The evening starts with close-up magic performed right at your cabaret table by our talented house magicians. In between visits, you will have time to socialize with your party and order from our full-service bar and kitchen. Table magic is followed by a 60-minute stage show featuring CML favorites, Luis Carreon (Headliner), Ryan Plunkett (Featured Act) and Justin Purcell (654 Club). All tickets include a commemorative champagne flute and a champagne toast as we welcome the arrival of 2022.

The Signature Show was conceived in 2015 as an homage to the historic, Chicago magic bar scene. Experience close-up magic right at your table during the cocktail hour, followed by an hour of stage magic featuring masters of their craft performing feats of prestidigitation and sleight of hand. Guests who purchase Premium tickets (Front Row, Main Floor Cabaret, Main Floor Banquette) are invited to an exclusive performance of close-up magic directly after the main stage show in our 43-seat close-up gallery, The 654 Club.

 

Also Happening at Chicago Magic Lounge

Music & Magic

Mondays at 7:00pm

Tickets: General Admission $25

 

The Showcase

Tuesdays at 7:00pm

Tickets: Standard: $35; Front Row: $40

 

Artist-in-Residence Series

Wednesdays at 7:00pm

 

Nick Diffatte: Offbeat, now through December 22, 2021 (except November 24, 2021)

Tickets: Standard: $40; Front Row: $45

Nick Diffatte: Offbeat is an evening of dry humor, quick wit, and incredible skill, combining a lifetime of experience in magic and the variety arts into an interactive comedy experience.

Nick Diffatte has taken the scene by storm and is quickly becoming one of the most talked about and in demand comedy variety acts working today. His unique approach has been called a “breath of fresh air” and has led to appearances at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, The Late Late Show on CBS, has won multiple awards, and landed him in comedy clubs across the country. Nick takes the format of a standard “Magic Show” and turns it completely on its head and has audiences laughing uncontrollably from beginning to end.

 

Kayla Drescher: Magic in Heels, January 5 – March 30, 2022

Tickets: Standard: $45; Front Row: $50

Ever wonder what the life of a magician is like? Join Kayla Drescher on this wild ride of magic, laughter, and interactive fun. And it’s all done in heels…because “magic in pajamas” was already taken.

Kayla Drescher, based in Los Angeles, brings her interactive show to the Chicago Magic Lounge.  She’s performed for clients like Microsoft, IBM, Wells Fargo, and many more. You may have seen her on Penn & Teller’s “Fool Us,” Access Hollywood, or NBC’s “Today Show,” where she was given the title “The Next Great Magician” by David Copperfield. Most recently, Kayla could be seen touring the world with the Champions of Magic. Kayla hosts a popular magic podcast, Shezam, focused on diversity and inclusion within the magic and allied arts communities.

 

The Signature Show

Thursdays-Sundays at 7:00pm, Fridays and Sundays at 10pm

Tickets: Front Row $80, Premium Main Floor (main floor banquette and main floor cabaret), Standard (rail and elevated banquette) $60, Mezzanine $50 

The Signature Show was conceived in 2015 as an homage to the historic, Chicago magic bar scene. Experience close-up magic right at your table during the cocktail hour, followed by an hour of stage magic featuring masters of their craft performing feats of prestidigitation and sleight of hand. Guests who purchase Premium tickets (Front Row, Main Floor Cabaret, Main Floor Banquette) are invited to an exclusive performance of close-up magic directly after the main stage show in our 43-seat close-up gallery, The 654 Club.

Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge performances are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com. Chicago Magic Lounge is a 21+ venue. Ages 16+ allowed to ticketed shows with a legal guardian. For the health and safety of our staff, guests and community, you must be fully vaccinated to enter the premises. Ticket holders may be required to present proof of vaccination status. 

For a complete schedule of performances and more information about Chicago Magic Lounge, as well as resident and guest performers, Chicago Magic College classes, the Chicago Magic Round Table, and more, please visit chicagomagiclounge.com.

 

About Chicago Magic Lounge

Chicago Magic Lounge reinvents the classic "magic bar" that once dotted Chicago's nightlife landscape, bringing cocktails and card tricks back together again. Shows include magic performance at the bar, on the stage and in true Chicago-style Magic form, at the tables of the guests, providing the classic "Close-Up" tradition Chicago-style Magic is known for. Chicago Magic Lounge is also the home of the Chicagoland magic community, showcasing over 30 local professionals, and serving as a networking hub for working magicians from all over the world. 

The newly constructed theater at 5050 N. Clark St., designed by Morris Architects Planners, has ushered in a new wave of entertainment, bringing back “Chicago-style Magic” under the leadership of Donald C Clark, Jr. and Joseph (Joey) Cranford. Converted from a 1930s-era, commercial laundry building, the Chicago Magic Lounge is a 7,200 square-foot, Art Deco, state-of-the-art theater and lounge complete with secret doors, elegant performance areas and a magic bar – all dedicated to the art of sleight of hand, prestidigitation and Chicago's contribution to the magical arts. From magicians to mind readers, Chicago Magic Lounge provides guests the unique, one-of-a-kind experience of seeing wonders up-close and personal in a venue unlike anything else offered throughout the country.