*****  Chicago is a “magic city”!  We are the home of the up-close and personal magic”, and for years, we have been the home for Dennis Watkins and his amazing one-man show. We are the home of two magic theaters and tonight, Jane and I went to Rhapsody to see the “Look Closer” show starring Joshua Jay, who is astounding!. I will start the review by telling you that Jane said “enough already! We have been going out every night!” And then to top it off, she said” not another magician?”. After the 90 minute show, she said “He is the best I have ever seen!”.

It was great to see the Rhapsody at about 90% capacity. For the performer, I am sure that makes a difference. Jane and I arrived early, had a drink in the bar along with a small pizza ( from next door), pretzel bites and a hummus platter ( veggies, pita and tasty hummus). We then moved into the theater where we sat at table 4, right on the stage. We were invited to attend a second session for VIP’s afterwards where Jay would do card tricks right at a table, but we had some other things that needed to be done, and passed, so another pair of audience members would get their opportunity to witness this.

As I said, the show is 90 minutes and Jay is a great story-teller in addition to the way he does his illusions. He started the evening off with asking for a one dollar bill. This was from my pocket ( and is back there now). He tore a corner off, and then proceeded to make the other part become a part of his T-Shirt and it was not paper, it was embossed. later, it was missing and ended up being in the wallet of another patron. It was my dollar! The parts matched perfectly.

Jay tells us stories of his youth, getting into magic at age 7. We also learn about an injury that should have ended his career, but told us how he was able to overcome it and that a miracle took place. Perhaps, magic was indeed his destiny. He is a natural crowd pleaser and no matter how closely I watched, I could not catch him. He did things that were mind boggling. Making rings disappear, having coins go from one person’s hands to another person, holding a covered container. This was done right before our very eyes- it worked and was amazing!

Watching him use cards to do his illusions and his hands to do a shadow/light show was just another thrill and his story about a trip he took and a ritual that he thought was a trick made sense as the story unfolded. As much as I love watching Watkins do his thing, I think I may have found a new “Master” and suggest that you find a way to fit this show into your schedule, and don’t forget- “look closer”!

” Look Closer” will continue Thru – Apr 28th with performances as follows: