“Shuffled” reviewed by Frank Meccia

*** Chicago is a magical city. I do not say this because I was born and raised in the Chicagoland area ( I have always considered Skokie as “Chicago”), but because magicians seem to love our city, and from what I have been learning close-up magic truly began here. We even have theaters that are ONLY for magic.  Chicago Magic Lounge located in Andersonville is home to magic 7 days a week, and Petterino’s has recently become the home of the amazing Dennis Watkin’s and his “Magic Parlour” and in Rogers Park, the old Mayne Theater has been transformed into Rhapsody Theatre, now entering its the second season.

The current show, “Shuffled” is all about cards. Yes, you bring your own deck ( bring cards, any cards, he doesn’t care). The show stars Andi Gladwin who hails from London England and has been almost everywhere magicians dare to go. He has appeared on TV ( Next Great Magician, Penn & Teller: Fool Us!, The Big Breakfast, Lance Burton’s Young Magician Showcase, Master of Illusions and more), he is a speaker (at conventions, trade shows) and has lectured to and for magicians throughout the United Kingdom, United States Of America and Europe.

This show, which lasts about 70 minutes is limited to 40 patrons, You are asked to bring your own deck of cards so you can truly experience the magic. The goal is to try and stump the magician. In tonight’s audience, we had a magician who works in a magic shop who brought special cards and actually made a wager with Andi- $20 that he could stump him. Needless to say, he lost. ( mind you, with his own deck of cards).

Gladwin is more than just a magician, he is a great story-teller. He explains all of his accomplishments, including perhaps, his best known trick where he performs from inside a red balloon, apparently only allowing the audience to see his head ( the rest of him i encased in the balloon).

In 2016, Andi was a featured act on Penn & Teller’s “Fool Us” and was featured in the New York Times. ( I think he fooled them)

“Shuffled” will continue at The Rhapsody Theatre located at 1328 West Morse Avenue in Chicago as follows:

November 16th and 17th at 7:30 p.m.

November 18th at 2 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

November 19th at 2 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 888-485-9001 or online at www.rhapsodytheatre.com

The theater is close to the Red Line Morse Avenue station, so no need to worry about parking, but there is street parking in the area. They also serve drinks to make the show even more fun.

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

FYI: Monday night is “jazz” have a drink and or a snack and chill

if you truly love magic, you might wantt o catch the amazing “Physician Magician”