[rating=3] Do you believe in magic? If you do, and have yet to go to Chicago Magic Lounge on the north side, then you probably do not truly believe in magic. Chicago is lucky. We have Dennis Watkins and his one man show at The Palmer House, but believe it or not The Chicago Magic Lounge has been open for five years. I remember my first visit with my friend Barry , who lives most of the year in Florida. It was a neat experience as we entered what appeared to be a laudromat and the dryers and washers parted so that we could enter another room that had a bar and a library. Soon the book cases opened revealing a night club stage and lots of seating.
We were taken to our tables, ordered drinks and some food and then the fun began. Magicians entered the club and went from table to table doing close-up magic ( a Chicago tradition) for about 30 minutes. After that there was a main stage show and after that show, an opportunity to see more close up magic in yet another room in this facility.
Over the years, I have now attended probably 6 or 7 headliners and know that each night is special in its own way. They are now doing an Artists in Residency on Wednesday nights and each of the artists does about 12 weeks. Currently, the Wednesday night show is called “Mixtape” and features Harrison Lampert. My mother’s maiden name was Lampert, so it is possible that in some way I am related to this rather droll comedian who does magic. Watching him on stage was like watching Rodney Dangerfield ( as a youth) talk to the audience and do magic at the same time.
While some of what Lampert does is quite funny and his magic skills are divine, there were some times that the audience drifted off as he could not hold their attention. I know that Jane had a few problems keeping up with him as he went between doing magic tricks and being a comic. Not only does he combine stand-up and magic, but does a little film that is quite hysterical and then comes on stage as a podiatrist who is also a magician. I am not quite sure why he needs this character but it may be to make his sketch comedy seem more like a variety show with a larger cast.
Is he worth seeing? I say yes. Is the evening special. I know yes. When you have magicians like Rebecca and Paige Thompson coming to your table and doing tricks that are amazing, just inches from you, then you know that you are in a magical heaven having a magical experience.
Lampert who may be my cousin twice removed, is reappearing thanks to the magic of The Chicago Magic Lounge, and will do his Wednesday night shows thru March 29th. The show starts at around 8 p.m., but you get seated at 7:30 which is when the six or seven other magicians make the rounds. Tickets are $40 ( front row $45)
Want to bring the kids- Sundays are “family shows”. February 8th and March 5th are the next ones- $35 and $45 front row.
To purchase your tickets call 312-366-4500 or visit www.chicagomagiclounge.com
Chicago Magic Lounge is a 21+ venue. Ages 16 allowed with a legal guardian. Family show, ages 5 and up ( with adults)
For complete schedule of performances nightly, visit www.chicagomagiclounge.com
The Chicago Magic Lounge is located at 5050 N. Clark Street. Look for a laundromat and start your evening off with a bang!
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Mixtape” or “Harrison Lampert’s Mixtape”.
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