Displaying items by tag: live magic

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 on Penn & 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.

A special guest star, a new block of tickets, and more magic comes to The Magic Parlour this summer. Acclaimed third-generation Magician Dennis Watkins announces a new block of tickets for performances through end of year, December 2026. In addition, "Chicago's premiere resident magician" (Chicago Tribune) welcomes Eric Jones—a fan favorite and semi-finalist on NBC's America's Got Talent who stunned the famed magicians on Penn & Teller: Fool Us—for a limited three-week residency this summer. Now in its third year, The Magic Parlour is a custom magic theater in the heart of the Loop that has welcomed more than 28,000 Chicagoans to 700+ performances and bespoke private events—including hosting some of the nation's greatest magicians as guest artists-in-residence and special performances.

"The city of Chicago is absolutely bursting at the seams with magic at the forefront of entertainment. I am so happy and honored to accept Dennis' invitation to visit the city and share my unique brand of prestidigitation with audiences at The Magic Parlor," said Eric Jones, one of the most decorated names in modern magic who has appeared on television in 19 countries spanning five continents. "It's such a magical time to be alive!"

The Magic Parlour, now on sale through December 31, 2026, appears Thursday through Sunday. Tickets range from $96 - $148; tickets for Guest Artist Eric Jones' performances range from $76 - $106. All tickets include a complimentary beverage. Jones appears July 10-26; to view performance times and to purchase tickets, call the Goodman Theatre Box Office at 312.443.3800 (12 Noon – 5pm) or visit TheMagicParlourChicago.com. The Magic Parlour is recommended for audiences ages 12+. For complimentary press passes, email credentials to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A co-founder of The House Theatre of Chicago, Dennis Watkins has collaborated as an actor, writer, director and/or designer on 30+ world-premiere plays with companies including Lookingglass, Steppenwolf and Goodman Theatre. After studying theater at Meadows School of the Arts and the British American Drama Academy in London, he launched The House Theatre with Artistic Director Nathan Allen and cohorts from school on Halloween of 2001. His appearance in the title role of Death and Harry Houdini—including performing Houdini's infamous Water Torture Cell escape in every show—earned him a Joseph Jefferson Award. 

ABOUT THE MAGIC PARLOUR

Hailed as a "star attraction dazzling audiences in an elegant underground Loop parlor" (WBEZ), The Magic Parlour is "90 minutes of mind-boggling fun that would make Houdini proud, offer(ing) warmth, intimacy and a great close-up view of the magic being performed right before your eyes" (WGN Radio). In a first-of-its-kind creative collaboration, Watkins teamed up with Goodman Theatre and Petterino's restaurant to establish a permanent home for Chicago's longest-running magic show—an intimate evening of classic magic and mind-reading previously hosted for more than a decade at the Palmer House (opened on New Year's Eve, 2011). The audience participates in much of the performance as Watkins delivers his signature blend of sharp sleight-of-hand, sophisticated mind-reading, and personal storytelling to rekindle your sense of wonder.

The space at 50 W. Randolph, situated adjacent to the Goodman in Petterino's transformed lower-level area, continues Watkins' famed tradition of the VIP experience in The Encore Room, an upgraded ticket option for guests seeking an exclusive 25-minute interaction following the performance. Immediately following the performance, up to 24 guests are escorted to a private space where Watkins performs up-close magic.

ABOUT THE PARTNERS

Petterino's has been a beloved downtown icon in the Chicago community for 20+ years, continuing to offer the same spirit and tradition that diners know and love. Enjoy timeless flavors, authentic Italian fare, comfortable interiors and warm hospitality. Our passion for creating memorable dining experiences aligns perfectly with the mystique of magic. The synergy between the culinary artistry of our chefs and the magical prowess of Dennis Watkins promises an evening of unparalleled wonder and flavor. We've joined forces with the Goodman and this talented magician to bring you a dining experience like no other. Blend the flavors of Italy with the wonder of magic, by dining at Petterino's before or after the show. You may also consider booking a private or corporate event in conjunction with a show. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, a romantic evening, or simply seeking an escape from the ordinary, our magical collaboration guarantees an enchanting escape into a world where delectable cuisine dances with spellbinding illusions.

Since 1925, The Goodman has been more than a stage. A theatrical home for artists and a gathering space for community, it's where stories come to life—bold in artistry and rich in history, deeply rooted in the city it serves. Led by Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive Director John Collins, The Goodman sparks conversation, connection and change through new plays, reimagined classics and large-scale musicals. With distinctions including nearly 200 world or American premieres, two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and nearly 200 Joseph Jefferson Awards, The Goodman is proud to be the first theater to produce all 10 plays of August Wilson's "American Century Cycle." In addition, the theater frequently serves as a production partner—with national and international companies to Chicago's Off-Loop theaters—to help amplify theatrical voices.