OPENING: Stephen Hanthorn Presents: THE BEST MAGIC SHOW @ iO Every Friday 10/13-11/3

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Stephen Hanthorn Presents:

THE BEST MAGIC SHOW @ iO

@ iO Chicago in the Jason Chin Cabaret Theater 

October 13th @ 8:30

October 20th @ 8:30

October 27th @ 8:30

November 3rd @ 8:30

ChiIL Mama will be out to review on the 20th. We're looking forward to checkin' out Stephen Hanthorn's show. Catch him before he disappears. 

Magician Stephen Hanthorn presents an evening of intimate, interactive and mind-blowing magic at the World Famous iO Theatre, home of long form improvisation, 1501 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60642 (312)929-2401

So you've never seen a live magic show because you didn't go to that birthday party growing up? Ever wonder what those people in the tv magic specials are so stunned by?

When you come to THE BEST MAGIC SHOW, you can expect to have the best 'what I did this weekend' story on Monday morning. Stephen blends improv comedy and magic as each audience brings a different point of view and perspective that gets incorporated with his own meaning of magic. This spur of the moment approach and breakdown of magic appeals to new and old magic fans alike- squeezing the most out of classic magic with a fresh, relatable perspective.

Stephen has been working in the Chicago magic and theatre scene for the past four years, and has had the privilege of providing fantastically exciting and personal experience for people from all walks of life thru magic- most notably at the Chicago Magic Lounge, Collaboraction Studios, Lollapalooza, and the Reinvented Busker.

THE BEST MAGIC SHOW runs every Friday at 8:30 from October 13th thru November 3rd in the Jason Chin Howard Cabaret at iO.

Tickets are $16 dollars and are available here!

Consummate Conjuring at The Palmer House Hilton With Dennis Watkins' Magic Parlour

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

THE MAGIC PARLOUR CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS 

AT THE LEGENDARY PALMER HOUSE HILTON HOTEL 

AND ANNOUNCES 200 PERFORMANCES 

BY THIRD-GENERATION MAGICIAN DENNIS WATKINS 

IN THE COMING YEAR!

Bonnie Kenaz-Mara (AKA: ChiIL Mama), Dennis Watkins, and Cath Hellmann

October 2016

Last October it was my great pleasure to see Magic Parlour and enjoy the fabulous Lockwood Restaurant Prix Fix Magic Menu with my long time friend, Cath. She and I met in a theatre production together way back in 1989 and have remained fast friends ever since. This Friday I'll be returning to the luxuriously lovely Palmer House and the mystifying Magic Parlour once again with my magic loving teenage son. We can't wait!

*The show is open to guests ages 12 years and older*

Sure, everyone's heard about mega hit Hamilton: An American Musical, but mere blocks away from The CIBC Theatre, there's another stellar must see show, Dennis Watkins at Palmer House! Don't miss this. In the plush opulence of Palmer House, you'll experience mind boggling magic in an intimate setting, for an audience of 44. Dennis is undoubtedly Chicago's premiere prestidigitator. He has mad skills without arrogance or attitude, and he's charming, personable, and puts on a world class show.

The House Theatre of Chicago proudly announces the return of Dennis Watkins in The Magic Parlour, at the Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, 17 E. Monroe, for an open run. Regular performances take place Fridays at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., and Saturdays at 4:30, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.* Tickets are $79 each, which includes wine and beer selections, and may be purchased at www.themagicparlourchicago.com, www.thehousetheatre.com or by calling The House Theatre of Chicago Box Office at 773.769.3832.  The Magic Parlour is an upscale event and cocktail attire is encouraged. 

            * Schedule is subject to change. Please consult www.themagicparlourchicago.com when looking for the most updated schedule.

Since opening at The Palmer House on New Year’s Eve of 2011, The Magic Parlour has enjoyed phenomenal success and unimagined growth. With only 44 seats available per show, The Magic Parlour has entertained over 20,000 guests in its five year run. Additionally, it has hosted more than 700 ticketed audiences and dozens of private groups, facilitated three truly magical wedding proposals, and has been featured in two books (Chicago Magic: A History of Stagecraft and Spectacle and 100 Things to do in Chicago Before You Die).

Photos featuring Dennis Watkins in The Magic Parlour  by Ryan Bourque

The Magic Parlour is an intimate evening of classic magic and mind-reading featuring the work of third-Genegation magician Dennis Watkins. Guests to this intimate, magic-packed evening gather at Potter's in the Palmer House lobby before Watkins personally escorts them to the performance space. Once inside, the audience participates in much of the performance as Watkins wows the room with classic sleight of hand, unbelievable mind-reading and magical wisdom passed down from his grandfather. “Grandpa got the intimacy argument permanently right…and, fittingly, grandson pulls off his feats in a brightly lit room, his every act open for inspection, however impossible to explain away.” (Lawrence Bommer, StageandCinema.com).  Third-generation magician Dennis Watkins, named “Chicago’s Official Magic Man (Chicago Sun-Times), regularly incorporates new pieces of magic into this long-running production, giving returning audiences brand new feats to puzzle over.

Now Chicago's long time favorite is internationally known! Check out Dennis on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, which recently aired on the CW!

Dennis Watkins - Penn and Teller Fool Us from Dennis Watkins on Vimeo.  

ABOUT THE HOUSE THEATRE OF CHICAGO 

The House is Chicago's premier home for intimate, original works of epic story and stagecraft. Founded and led by Artistic Director Nathan Allen and driven by an interdisciplinary ensemble of Chicago’s next generation of great storytellers, The House aims to become a laboratory and platform for the evolution of the American theatre as an inclusive and popular art form.

The House was founded in 2001 by a group of friends to explore connections between Community and Storytelling through a unique theatrical experience. Since becoming eligible in 2004, The House has been nominated for 66 Joseph Jefferson Awards (23 wins), became the first recipient of Broadway in Chicago’s Emerging Theater Award in 2007, and was awarded a 2014 National Theatre Company Grant by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards. The 15th anniversary year of original work will begin September 2016 and The House will continue its mission to unite Chicago in the spirit of Community through amazing feats of Storytelling.

The House Theatre of Chicago has partnered with Dennis Watkins to produce many magical theatrical experiences in its 16-year history. Most notably The House’s hit show Death & Harry Houdini which has had multiple sold-out runs in Chicago and several encore productions at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, FL, including one in May 2017 which was the reason for the recent Chicago hiatus of The Magic Parlour. Watkins’ original play, The Magnificents, has also enjoyed two successful Chicago runs and a critically acclaimed run at the Arsht.





ABOUT THE PALMER HOUSE, A HILTON HOTEL

The legendary AAA four-diamond rated hotel has been hosting visitors to the Chicago Loop for more than 140 years. Today, the Palmer House Hilton continues to thrive in the heart of the theatre and financial district, just steps from the Art Institute, Millennium Park and State Street shopping. A short walk away is Grant Park where summer festivals take place. Family attractions like the Chicago Children’s Museum and Navy Pier are just a quick cab ride away. The hotel features 130,000 sq. ft. of function space with more than 77 meeting rooms, seven ballrooms and two exhibition halls. Lockwood Restaurant & Bar, located just off the lobby, is open throughout the day serving contemporary American cuisine. Small plates and classic cocktails are served in Potter’s. Balance Spa features 14 treatment rooms including hydrotherapy services for the ultimate pampering. The fitness center offers over 10,000 sq. ft. of cardio and free weight equipment, an indoor pool, whirlpool, and saunas.

More Photo Favorites From ChiIL Mama's Adventures at Magic Parlour 2016

Dennis Watkins Video Interview-Death and Harry Houdini Closing #video interview

Dennis Watkins on the art of being Harry Houdini



The House Theatre's smash hit, Death and Harry Houdini, reaches the end of it's final extension today.   This is, without a doubt, one of our favorite shows of the year.   

We published this interview with the show's lead, Dennis Watkins, back in the spring on Facebook and Twitter, but want it to live on in a searchable archive form, so we're breaking it back out at both ChiIL Live Shows.com and ChiIL Mama.com to celebrate the show's close.

It was our great pleasure to be invited to Dennis' lovely northside home.   His passion for magic extends from the stage to his after hours, where he surrounds himself with vintage magic props that have been in the family, collector posters of renowned magicians, and even a Houdini coffee table volume.    Check out "the magician's lair" here.

We got a rare peek into the home of magic man, Dennis Watkins, star of Death and Harry Houdini, The House Theatre's smash, sell out hit. His love of magic goes beyond his roles in Magic Parlour and Death and Harry Houdini. He's a 3rd generation magician whose home decor includes vintage tricks from his Grandfather's shop and sweet magic show posters, for his own endeavors and others. A big show banner from The House Theatre's first incarnation of Death and Harry Houdini 10 years ago, hangs just inside his front door.

In our interview, Dennis expounds on the history of the show, Death and Harry Houdini, and it's numerous reincarnations with The House Theatre since 2001.   He gives insight into how to prep for the physically and mentally challenging role and how being successful at illusion isn't about ego and mastering trick, but it's all about the magic and wonder going on in the audience's heads.

My husband and I caught Death and Harry Houdini opening night and loved it so much I spent months trying to buy tickets to take the kids back to see it.    The run originally sold out in minutes, and although I was stalking their Facebook page, every time a trickle of tickets became available, they got scooped up before I could get my finger on the button.    

We finally scored a block of tickets and my kids were able to see the show for my son's March birthday, with one of his best friends.   As I'd expected, the kids were enamored with the show and amazed with the acting and the illusions.    We all sincerely hope that this is not the last we've seen of Harry Houdini, skillfully brought back to life by Chi-town's own magician extraordinaire, Dennis Watkins!

“A highly polished and visually thrilling show…
MAGIC OF THE VERY HIGHESTORDER!”

- Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

“…high energy, buzzy blend of traditional storytelling, music and spectacle…
A THRILLING RIDE!”

– Kris Vire, Time Out Chicago

“Soars on Dennis Watkins’ brilliance as a genuine magician and fearless stuntman…
INGENIOUSLY WRITTEN AND DIRECTED!”

– Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

  



We've seen numerous productions by The House Theatre over the years and they do not disappoint.   We highly recommend you check out their 11th season.

SEASON 11

• Ploughed Under: An American Songbook
• The Magnificents
• The Nutcracker
• The Iron Stag King: Part One
• Magic Parlour

(click the show title for tickets and more info)


Next up:

THE IRON STAG KING: PART ONE

August 31st, 2012 to October 21st, 2012

A myth of crowns and country

By Chris Mathews and Nathan Allen
Directed by Nathan Allen
Original Music by Kevin O’Donnell
Choreography by Tommy Rapley

Featuring Company Members Cliff Chamberlain and Joey Steakley

From the writer/director of ‘Death and Harry Houdini’ comes a new epic journey filled with heated battles and life-size puppets.

Our unsuspecting hero, Casper Kent, is the son of a poor farmer. When an old storyteller reveals that Casper is the rightful heir to the throne, his life is threatened from all sides. Young Casper must escape the rebels, choose compatriots and question what is good and right for the land. Join him on his quest to lift the magical hammer that will unite or destroy them all.

LOCATION: The Chopin Theatre
1543 W. Division St., Chicago, IL

Tickets start at $25

Buy Tickets!

"A sophisticated night-cap. You’ll be mightily impressed! "

– Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

“A perfect evening of illusion and laughter… The Magic Parlour transformed a roomful of tired adults into wide-eyed, wide awake innocents. And that in itself is Watkins’ most impressive trick.

—Chicago Theater Beat

“This late-night magic show is exactly what it should be: funny, lively, intimate, and utterly baffling.”

—The Chicago Reader

“This was perfect. Perfect venue, perfect magician. I just can’t possibly comprehend how he does some of these things. See this.”

—Jason M on Yelp

“It’s a mind-blowing, parlour-style magic show. This isn’t kiddie birthday party magic — it’s a little more sinister, darker. MUST SEE.”

—Katherine R on Yelp

“This is a magic show that leaves you speechless.”

—Steve I on Yelp

Dennis Watkins can still be seen performing

The Magic Parlour every Friday night at The Palmer House.