“An Honest Living: Chicago Magic Lounge” reviewed by Paul Lisnek

*** If you didn’t know that Chicago is the birthplace of Close Up or Table Magic, you should know that now. I have attended more magic shows in this great town than I can count over the past several years. At first, I attended to review or interview the magicians, but now, I just want to see every new headliner who graces our city. And Chicago Magic Lounge is one of the crown jewels in this magic capital.

The magic begins when you arrive at the location at 5050 N. Clark in Andersonville and to tell you any more would be to spoil the first moments that will put a smile on your face, but trust me, from the moment you arrive at Chicago Magic Lounge, you will be wanting more. The evening begins with various magicians who make their away around to many tables and perform tricks just for you and then, about half an hour later, It’s time to enjoy the headliner (along with the great menu of small bites that will surely fill you up.

The current headliner is Justin Purcell. I first experienced Justin when he performed table magic for me and did some amazing things like drawing a design on his hand that somehow ends up on yours…to this day, I can’t explain it.

But now, Justin takes center stage. I had high expectations given my previous experience with his talents. And talented he is. That said, I found many of the magic tricks performed in this one hour + show were more typical of what I l have seen several magicians perform before. The egg in the bag, the magic rings and a few others were quite familiar to me even though I still don’t have a clue as to how they are done.

But Justin has some amazing tricks that will blow you away. I never like giving away the tricks a magician will perform, but I will make one exception so you realize what a treat you are in for in this show. Justin pulls a random person from the audience, has that person call someone and then the person on the phone ultimately names a random card they want to see selected. Of course the humor that came along with performing the trick itself is worth the price of admission. And in the hope you will go see this show, I won’t give too many details even about this particular trick But suffice it to say, how he ultimately picks the card that this unknown person says over a phone call is mind blowing.

What is especially good about most Chicago Magic Lounge performers, and Justin is no different, is the humor and skills to involve the audience in a fun and non-threatening way. People in the audience wanted to participate. And many of the tricks performed will amaze you.

Bottom line: if you are an old hat at going to magic shows, you will have many new moments accompanied by a series of tricks you have likely seen before.

But, if you are new to attending a magic show, or have gone to very few shows, then this is for you! Even the tricks familiar to those of us who see a lot of magic, will certainly amaze the novice or unfamiliar. It’s a grand time celebrating one of the many things Chicago can celebrate as its very own….we are a critical part of the world of magic, and Chicago Magic Lounge is one of the best places to enjoy and celebrate that crown in the jewel of Chicago.

Justin Purcell plays the mainstage with “An Honest Living” every WEDNESDAY night as part of their Artist-In-Residence program thru January 3rd with performances at 7:30 p.m. I advise you to come early for the amazing table magic and even earlier for the cocktail lounge magic.

For reservations/tickets call 312-366-4500 or visit www.chicagomagiclounge.com where you will also see listings for the amazing acts that one can see at 5050 N. Clark Street. FYI- you walk into a laundromat, press the buzzer for assistance and the magic begins!!

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “An Honest Living”.