“Indulgence with Lucy Darling”

Highly Recommended **** For those of you who have ever been in a theater with a comedy on stage, where I was also there, you know I truly enjoy a good laugh.  For those of you who enjoy watching magic and a comedy performance, there is a new show in town that will tickle both of those pleasure buttons. It is called “Indulgence with Lucy Darling”, featuring the amazing Carisa Hendrix. The “Lucy” character is a special blend of stand-Up comic and master magician that is known pretty much everywhere and when it comes t comedy and magic is Award Winning who is also featured in the Guinness Book of World Records, but of greater importance, makes for a fun night out on “Hump Day” at a great venue that most people are not even aware of.

Have you heard of the Chicago Magic Lounge? I know that I brought it to your attention when it first opened, but they have expanded their programs and now have some great themes. Many of us have friends that visit from out -of -town asking where can we go that is different? Well, THIS IS THE PLACE

The Chicago Magic Lounge is located at 5050 N. Clark Street ( Andersonville) and when you get to the door it appears to be a Laundromat. When we arrived last night there were people outside wondering if they were at the right address. Part of the overall fun and games of the evening! You do not have to “knock three times and whisper low, that you were sent by Joe ” ( a line from “Hernando’s Hideaway” in Pajama Game). One of the machines will open and you will enter what appears to be a library ( which by the way is filled with memorabilia from a century of magicians as well as books on magic) and bar/lounge area. If you enter the bar there will be close magic being done as you enjoy a cocktail and you are entertained until show-time check in.

When the audience is called to check in, they enter the Library and as a book is removed from the shelf, the walls part allowing entrance into a 1930’s supper club environment. A stage and several tiers of table seating await you. You are brought to your seats ( priced on different levels based on proximity to the stage) where you can enjoy some food and beverage for about 45 minutes. While you are settling in, you will be visited by one of the 6 roving magicians who do table magic, right at your table. They are all wonderful. Of course, some better than others. Al James did some great tricks as he went from table to table carrying his “bag of tricks”. Some of his stuff was astonishing and even though I watched closely, I could not see how he was able to do what he does. Magic!

Now on to the show. Chicago Magic Lounge, featuring different magic shows every night, is now featuring Hendrix show as part of their “Artist-in-Residence” series on Wednesday nights. The actual show is  about 80 minutes, so you are done by 9:30, which makes for a nice evening out when there is work the next day.

Hendrix’s character , Lucy is not only adorable, and funny, but plays off her audience as well as any stand-up I have even seen. The people in the front row seating area, are going to be a part of the performance, even if they opt not to be. She not only pulls them in, she captivates them as well as those sitting in the “cheap seats” as well. Her routine is a mix of story telling and magic woven together , each story having a magical ending. A number of her tricks have to do with cocktails and being in a cabaret, supper club setting this makes sense. Seeing an empty container pour drinks is one thing, but pouring three different drinks into three empty glasses, each one being a different cocktail is amazing.

In fact every trick ( and we know they are tricks) is creative and with her ability to tell a story and work her crowd, she is a treat to watch. This particular show will be at the Lounge every Wednesday thru December 18th at 7:30 p.m. ( seating) with the actual show starting at 8:15. I suggest that you get there early enough to enjoy some vittles and a cocktail with the table magic. This gets you into the mood for the magic of “Lucy”. By the way, her last trick of the evening is amazing and mind- boggling!

The tickets for “Indulgence with Lucy Darling” are $35 main floor and $45 front row. To make your reservations call 312-366-4500 or visit www.chicagomagiclounge.com

They have a great array of shows and on Sundays, they do Family Day magic/brunch menu. During the other performances, they are a 21 + venue. Parking in te area is fairly easy. Meters of Clark Street . The 22 bus will get you there with ease as well.

November 21st-24th, they will spotlight “Women in Magic”!

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Indulgence with Lucy Darling”. Great fun for your mid-week pleasure!