A special Thank You goes out to Karen Farmer, who talked about The Magic Parlour on Concierge Preferred.
Thanks, Karen! I’m glad you enjoyed the show!
Hello and Happy Tax Day!
This post actually has nothing to do with taxes…I promise! It’s just a little update from yours truly.
I’m thrilled to tell you that The House Theatre’s production of Death and Harry Houdini will re-open in Chicago this summer! If you missed it last year, book your tickets now to see 2 hours of classic magic and thrilling escapes, including Houdini’s infamous WATER TORTURE CELL!
I’ve had a terrific year collaborating with The House and am very excited about the return of “Houdini.” Another exciting project was the fundraiser The House produced just a few weeks back in the Palmer House Hilton’s historic Empire Room. The House asked if I would perform a special Magic Parlour performance for this event. After a few meetings, we decided to integrate the fundraising directly into the show, creating a magical paddle-raiser, of sorts.
It was a blast creating the show and, I’m happy to report that The House’s fundraiserraised almost 6 times its goal!
Additionally, Chicago’s hit magic show, The Magic Parlour continues its run at the Palmer House Hilton. A big Thank You goes out to The House for helping grow this special show.
And, I’m still hustling as a corporate entertainer, taking my magic show to corporate events and colleges from coast to coast. Just last week, I performed for three colleges in New York State, a corporate convention in Baltimore, a trade show in Chicago, and a corporate dinner event in Kansas City.
So, if you’re not in Chicago, I’ll come to you! Let me know if your company or school has an upcoming event that could use a world-class magician and mentalist and let’s get it on the calendar!
Hope to see you soon!
Dennis Watkins
A friend of mine called me a few weeks ago because a young family member was participating in a school project based on FLAT STANLEY. All of the kids in his class created flat paper versions of themselves and, over the course of a few months, recorded the adventures of their paper selves through writing, photography and videos.
My friend knew I was about to depart on a long tour of shows that started in LA and went all the way to New York. So, he asked if I would take Flat Jacob with me.
Thrilled to have a travel partner, I obliged. Flat Jacob and I flew to LA, then to Buffalo, NY, down to Washington, DC, returned to Chicago for a day, then flew to Kansas City.
He was a huge help. In fact, here’s a picture of Flat Jacob running sound for one of my shows:
Thanks, Flat Jacob. You were a huge help!
Windy City Live Features The Magnificents! Coverage of the show starts at about 1:55.
Most of my work is in the corporate events and college markets. As a magician and mentalist, I bring world-class entertainment to events large and small from coast to coast. And I truly love doing it!
However, I’ve also spent 10 years working with The House Theatre of Chicago creating original plays that use magic, spectacle, music and more to stage amazing feats of storytelling. The House is now producing The Magnificents, written by yours truly.
Get tickets at thehousetheatre.com.
Here’s a bit of what the press has said about the show:
“The idea of a make-your-own-family is POWERFUL. I laughed, I cried, I wondered. Right now, The Magnificents may be THE BEST SHOW ON EARTH!”
- Fourth Walsh
“TOP-DRAWER MAGIC from the formidable Watkins repertoire (more than enough to GREATLY ENTERTAIN most magic-loving folks of all ages)”
- Chicago Tribune
With “mind-boggling old-school magic tricks, The Magnificents earns its title.”
- TimeOut Chicago
“The story is HEARTWARMING and engaging. The magic will BLOW YOU AWAY!”
- Chicago Critic
Believe it or not, I’ve been a magician my whole life and have never used a rabbit in any of my shows. Doves, canaries, cockatiels, parakeets…sure. But no rabbits.
The House Theatre of Chicago is now in rehearsal for a show I’m writing called The Magnificents. Like a fool, I wrote a magic trick with a bunny into the show. Now, this little creature lives in my kitchen:
Magician and Mentalist Dennis Watkins, performing every week at The Palmer House Hilton, Chicago
I just checked in with the box office and learned that The Magic Parlour is completely sold out on New Year’s Eve!
New Year’s Eve of 2012 was the FIRST Magic Parlour at its new home, The Palmer House Hilton. We’re thrilled that the show has settled in at the hotel and look forward to another great year there!
The House Theatre of Chicago is the producer behind The Magic Parlour. My work with The House will continue this year with an all new production of The Magnificents, written by yours truly. It’s a play inspired by my grandfather and teacher Ed Watkins. Packed full of heart and magic, this show promises to be a great ride.
Check it out: The Magnificents
Earlier this year, The House Theatre of Chicago took Death and Harry Houdini down to Miami’s Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
The show enjoyed an awesome, five week run and got some great reviews. Just today, The Miami New Times ranked it in Miami’s top shows of 2012!
Take a look: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2012-12-20/culture/miami-theater-2012-s-best-productions/
Here’s hoping Death and Harry Houdini has another run soon!
Magician Dennis Watkins performs Houdini’s Water Torture Cell for The House Theatre of Chicago
The week started with a corporate event For FM Bank in Archbold, OH. Then it was back home to Chicago for a couple gigs. From Chicago I flew to Buffalo, NY for a college show at Niagara University, then to Dickinson, ND for another corporate show for Marathon Oil.
I’m on my way back to Chicago to do a show tonight for Sasser Holdings, before jetting to LA tomorrow morning for yet another corporate gig for Cathay Bank. After that, it’s a few days of rehearsal for The Magnificents (a very magical play being produced by The House Theatre of Chicago). I’ll close the week with The Magic Parlour, which is one of my very favorite projects, before heading off to to Lubbock, TX to perform for McLane Co, then Dallas to do a corporate show for Breitling Oil & Gas.
Then, finally, it’ll be time to relax and enjoy the holidays!
Last Friday night, Death and Harry Houdini closed in Chicago after 115 sold-out performances! It was a great run for us, and the Joseph Jefferson Committee agrees. They’ve given the show 7 nominations, including Best Production!
Check out this year’s Jeff nominees.
Now that Houdini is taking a much-deserved rest, The Magic Parlour is back to 2 shows every Friday night! Go HERE for tickets and information!