” The Unfair Advantage” Reviewed by Paul Lisnek

***** There is nothing “unfair” about Harry Milas’ U.S. Premiere show called, “Harry Milas’ The Unfair Advantage” now playing in Steppenwolf’s Merle Reskin Garage Space except that we’ll never be able to master the techniques and methods that Harry shares with us before our very eyes to become the casino savvy card cheater that he has become!

This is not the typical kind of performance you’d expect to see on stage, but it’s just as mesmerizing and engaging as the powerfully magical productions that take place on the main stages of the theater just doors down from this Garage space (this production is brought by: Pemberley Productions and Lauren Eisinger Productions). Milas is certainly a performer and a magician but also a card control expert….making him a non-traditional triple threat in theater parlance.

Milas’ show is not only magical to watch, but he performs so much more than magic. The coin magic is astonishing for sure and may be the kind of magic you can see at one of Chicago’s fabulous Magic parlours and lounges (given that close up table magic was actually invented here in Chicago, we have plenty of such wonderful venues). But the real magic of Harry’s show is in his demonstration of the sleight of hand techniques that can give a gambler the ultimate control in a card game; indeed, his skills provide the very reason that a casino manager would toss such a person, a card cheater, right out of the house. Except Harry spent years working with casinos and other venues to assist in card game security to catch those who were trying to cheat the house.

The most incredible part of the show is that all of it is presented to an audience of no more than 35 people who all sit around Harry and the card table, with no one more than 8-10 feet away from his card playing table Indeed, Milas himself notes that the simple table is the “Stage” for this show and his props are a single and brand new deck of cards and a set of 4 coins

Milas is not currently well known to American audiences (after all, this is his U.S. Premiere) but with performances like this show, he soon will be. In fairness, America’s new finding has been Australia’s household name and pride for years. Harry has won the award for Best Magic and has been in residence at the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon since 2023. He has been a fixture in the Sydney improv scene performing for 2000 people at the Enmore Theatre, but here…it is just Harry and 35 audience members who very quickly will find themselves endeared to this relatively young and fascinating performer. He interacts extensively with the audience, but absolutely in a non-threatening way that will have everyone feeling comfortable and hoping he asks you to participate.

Milas does NOT hide the ball. In fact, he literally shows the audience what he is doing and how he is doing it….truth straight up! The thing is, it would take any of us many years to develop the skills it also took Harry years to develop as well. But that does not mean we appreciate him or his skillful art any the less.

Note: You will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement before entering the show. The agreement requires that you not divulge the secrets you learn (no good magician or card cheater would ever do that anyway), and asks you to acknowledge that cheating in a casino is unlawful (you probably know that anyway)…but in actuality, the risk of you being able to do what Harry does…well good luck with that! It takes too much skill for my dexterity level.

So Harry Milas’ show is a two-for-the-price of one! He’s a magician and a card counting cheater who knows how to literally stack the deck, and you’ll never see it coming…except that he will show you.

With each performance audience so limited in number, you’ll need to act fast to get a ticket for an upcoming show. The show is but an hour in duration, but Milas invites the audience to stay on and ask him anything they choose to ask…and he will candidly respond…before he gets ready for the next group. Interestingly, everyone in my audience stayed on to talk and ask!

I’m a huge fan of magic shows and I’ve seen a ton of them (inclusive of card tricks and coin manipulation)…but never with such candor and wonder that Harry Milas creates before your very eyes.

Harry Milas’ “The Unfair Advantage” is unique, fun and incredibly engaging….do NOT miss this show before you have to fly to Australia to see him…and while that sounds like a great idea, I’d see him here and now, while he’s in our neighborhood!

The performance plays through April 21^st and will hopefully be extended, but don’t leave seeing it to chance.

The Unfair Advantage is presented by Pemberley Productions and Lauren Eisinger Productions and you can find more information about the show and purchase tickets at:

Unfairadvantage.show.

Showtimes:      Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm

Fridays at 7pm and 9pm

Saturdays at 4pm, 7pm and 9pm

Sundays at 2pm, 7pm and 9pm (except April 21^st: 7pm only)

Prices: $75 on weekdays, $85 Friday-Sunday

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

The Merle Reskin Garage theater at Steppenwolf is located at the 1650 N. Halsted Steppenwolf Center

Paul Lisnek, WGN-TV