The Spellbinder

Diary of a Black Illusionist

There are two kinds of people at a magic show. The first always tries to figure out the trick. The second never does. I definitely fall into the latter category. I don’t actually want to know how it was done. The mechanics of the illusion aren’t the fun part. The fun part is the story and how the magician delivers it. It’s the ambience and the music and the sequined assistant. Simply put, it’s the style that really makes the illusion work. And new illusionist-in-residence at the Chicago Magic Lounge, Walter King Jr., better known as The Spellbinder, has style to spare.

The show is framed as a look at back at his decades-long career as illusionist, starting with his childhood on the south side of Chicago. I won’t divulge any of the tricks because getting to see them fresh is part of the fun. I will say, aside from some truly astonishing illusions, my favorite part was videos of The Spellbinder’s early career, touring dance clubs in the south side of Chicago and then around the country. As someone born and raised on Chicago’s south side myself, the fastest way to my heart is footage of the history of my beautiful city. And the 80s and 90s fashions on display were truly a sight to behold. I would watch a whole documentary of that footage.

If you’ve never been to Chicago Magic Lounge, the entire experience is a treat. Prior to the show, you can see close up magic while sitting at the bar and a team of magicians travel the theater to perform tricks for you at your table once you’re seated. I’ve been to a few shows at the Chicago Magic Lounge now and it’s definitely become a favorite of mine. The theater itself is a beautiful cabaret space, decorated with period posters and other artifacts from a century of magicians. Anchored by a performer of incredible skill and a considerable amount of charm, I strongly recommend adding this performance to your list.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Kevin Curran

Presented Wednesdays through June 25, 2025 at Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark, Chicago.

Tickets are available are available at the box office, by calling (312) 366-4500 or through chicagomagiclounge.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

The Power of Love

Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812

Writers Theatre has once again brought Chicago audiences a musical that’s both thrilling to the eye and ear, while remaining deeply and unbelievably moving. Harkening back to the theatre’s extraordinary musical productions of both INTO THE WOODS and ONCE, this show will be remembered for its sweeping, immersive spectacle contrasted with an intimate, almost personal love story. Exquisitely Directed and Choreographed by Katie Spelman (Choreographer of Broadway’s, THE NOTEBOOK) and sumptuously Musical Directed by Matt Deitchman (Musical Director for this company’s INTO THE WOODS), this talented creative team is remembered for making ONCE sparkle and explode with romance and spectacle on the Writers stage. Once again they have worked their magic. 

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Any new production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, John Cameron Mitchell’s iconic exploration of gender and identity, has a steep hill to climb for me. I saw the phenomenal movie adaptation in college, the perfect time to have your mind blown by new ideas, and every production I’ve seen since, both local and national productions has been incredible. It’s a show that casts a long shadow in theater and the queer community, so anything less than an amazing production, at least for me, is going to feel like a let down. Happily, Haven Chicago’s new production delivers the goods.

Prelude to a Kiss

Prelude to a Kiss is a play written by Craig Lucas, who also wrote the books for the musicals The Light in the Piazza and Paradise Square. The play premiered in 1988 and received a film adaptation in 1992 starring Alec Baldwin and Meg Ryan. The story centers on Peter and Rita, who have fallen in love at first sight. At their wedding reception, an old man who none of them seem to know appears and asks the new bride for a kiss. She obliges and the two switch places in each other’s body. The story that follows explores that nature of love

Words, Words, Words

Hamlet

Following an extended successful run in New York City, comedian Eddie Izzard is bringing her solo adaptation of Hamlet to Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Whether or not you are familiar with Shakespeare or with Eddie Izzard’s comedy, I can strongly recommend you see this unique production.

Sleeping with Beauty

PrideArts is opening the holiday season with a queer pantomime by Tom Whalley, who wrote last year’s pantomime production, Jack Off the Beanstalk. For those unfamiliar with pantomime, it’s a very British form of theater, ordinarily aimed at children, full of songs and stock characters and a lot of audience participation in the form of call and response to the actors. PrideArts reimagines the format, and the story of Sleeping Beauty, for decidedly adult audiences.

Tommy, Can You Hear Me?

The Who’s Tommy

The Who’s Tommy started life in 1969 as a concept album, was made into a 1975 movie, and was turned into a Broadway musical in 1992. It tells the story of young Tommy, traumatized by events in his childhood into near catatonia. The only thing that seems to reach him is a chance encounter with a pinball machine as a teenager. He’s a virtuoso and it changes the course of his life. The Broadway show was written by The Who’s Pete Townsend and co-author Des McAnuff. McAnuff comes to Chicago to direct Goodman’s amazing new production.

A Classic Returns to the Lyric

West Side Story

The Lyric Opera of Chicago is reviving West Side Story, last staged by them in 2019 at the Civic Opera House. I’m going to spoil the rest of the review by simply stating you should definitely get a ticket before the show closes on June 25th.