Another extension makes magic through the holidays! High demand following critical and popular acclaim for third-generation magician Dennis Watkins’ The Magic Parlour at 50 W. Randolph extend the calendar of performances to December 31, 2024. More than 11,000 audience members have experienced “Chicago’s premiere resident magician” (Chicago Tribune), resulting in $1 million in ticket sales since the new venue opened in October 2023, in collaboration with Goodman Theatre and Petterino’s. Watkins performs 90-minutes of close-up magic for an intimate crowd of 62 guests, six shows each week; an exclusive “encore” experience for 20 guests follows every performance. In addition, he can create magical entertainment for companies and clients seeking an unforgettable experience for up to 137 guests—booking private groups, corporate events, team member celebrations, client appreciation events, special occasions and more. Beyond 50 W. Randolph, Watkins can also create bespoke entertainment for groups nationwide, at their own venue. Holiday bookings are now open. NOTE: Watkins briefly pauses his performances this fall to welcome acclaimed Latine magicians to the Parlour’s stage for an exclusive engagement as part of the 2024 Destinos Festival, in partnership with Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA) and Goodman Theatre; artists and details will be announced soon.
“As The Magic Parlour really settles into its new permanent home, I’m excited to build on the ways our partners at Goodman Theatre and Petterino's have helped grow the show, artistically and strategically, over the last nine months, resulting in sales more than double the same period a year ago. Together, we've been able to deepen the magical experience of our guests through an expanded schedule, serve dozens of private and corporate event clients, and broaden our fall and holiday show schedules,” said third-generation magician Dennis Watkins. “We're on the verge of announcing some new programming that includes some very magical friends from all parts of the world—and a very special (and very spooky) Halloween event!”
Performances of The Magic Parlour, now on sale September through December 31, 2024, take place Thursdays through Sundays at 50 W. Randolph. Tickets are $85 (includes the 90-minute performance + complimentary beverage) or $115 (includes the performance, beverage and “The Encore Room” 25-minute VIP experience); pricing for select performances around the holidays is $95 GA/$125 VIP. To purchase tickets, call the Goodman Theatre Box Office at 312.443.3800 (12 Noon – 5pm daily) or visit TheMagicParlourChicago.com. The Magic Parlour is recommended for audiences ages 12+; while there is no inappropriate content, this elegant experience is designed for adults. For more information on bespoke entertainment experiences for companies and clients for up to 137 guests, contact Whitney@DennisWatkins.net.
CREATE A BESPOKE EVENT AT THE MAGIC PARLOUR
Book a Private Show: Host up to 100 guests at The Magic Parlour (50 W. Randolph) on a date and time of your choice. Food and beverage packages are available, ranging from a cocktail hour to seated dinners.
Buy Out a Public Show: Watkins will close a currently-scheduled show for an exclusive performance—ideal for groups of up to 64 guests, with food and beverage packages available.
Book Group Tickets to a Public Show: Groups of up to 50 guests who do not need a private event can purchase blocks of tickets to a publicly-scheduled performance.
In October 2023 in a first-of-its-kind creative collaboration, third-generation magician Watkins teamed up with Goodman Theatre and Petterino’s restaurant to establish a permanent home for The Magic Parlour at 50 W. Randolph—a “star attraction dazzling audiences in an elegant underground Loop parlor” (WBEZ). The move allows Watkins to build on his 15-year success—thrilling 50,000+ guests with jaw-dropping magic during 1,600 live performances and hundreds of corporate events, including six marriage proposals. It’s “90 minutes of mind-boggling fun that would make Houdini proud, offer(ing) warmth, intimacy and a great close-up view of the magic being performed right before your eyes” (WGN Radio). “When it comes to magic, Dennis Watkins is the real deal! His shows are sophisticated for corporate events, upscale private and special occasions and dinner date outings” (Let’s Play Theatrical Reviews). “If you like good old-fashioned magic, sleight of hand and mind-reading tricks, Dennis Watkins’ The Magic Parlour is the ticket” (Broadway World). “Go see The Magic Parlour, whether you have seen it before, or not!” (Hyde Park Herald).
The Magic Parlour is an intimate evening of classic magic and mind-reading featuring the work of third-generation magician Dennis Watkins. Previously hosted for more than a decade at the Palmer House, the audience participates in much of the performance as Watkins wows the room with classic sleight of hand, unbelievable mind-reading and magical wisdom passed down from his grandfather. Since opening at the Palmer House on New Year’s Eve of 2011, Dennis Watkins’ The Magic Parlour has enjoyed phenomenal success and unimagined growth. Offering a close-up magic experience with only 62 guests per show, The Magic Parlour has been featured in two books (Chicago Magic: A History of Stagecraft and Spectacle and 100 Things to do in Chicago Before You Die).
Petterino’s has been a beloved downtown icon in the Chicago community for 20+ years, continuing to offer the same spirit and tradition that diners know and love. Enjoy timeless flavors, authentic Italian fare, comfortable interiors and warm hospitality. Our passion for creating memorable dining experiences aligns perfectly with the mystique of magic. The synergy between the culinary artistry of our chefs and the magical prowess of Dennis Watkins promises an evening of unparalleled wonder and flavor. We've joined forces with the Goodman and this talented magician to bring you a dining experience like no other. Blend the flavors of Italy with the wonder of magic, by dining at Petterino’s before or after the show. You may also consider booking a private or corporate event in conjunction with a show. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, a romantic evening, or simply seeking an escape from the ordinary, our magical collaboration guarantees an enchanting escape into a world where delectable cuisine dances with spellbinding illusions.
Petterino’s has officially opened Petterino’s Pasticceria next door at 52 W. Randolph (open Monday through Friday, 8am – 6pm). The coffee and pastry shop serves handcrafted UMBRIA coffee alongside a delectable array of freshly baked pastries, breakfast sandwiches, salads, deli sandwiches, pizza, wine, beer and canned cocktails to-go. Corporate Executive Chef John Boudouvas makes handmade Italian and traditional desserts daily, which feature the best seasonal produce and ingredients. The restaurant will serve breakfast sandwiches from 8-10:45 a.m. Breakfast sandwiches are made-to-order and feature an array of English muffin options, and diners can grab parfaits and fresh fruit. Lunch is served from 11 am. to 2 p.m. daily. The lunch menu features a Caprese Sub, Turkey Club and an Italian Sub. Diners can also choose between freshly made lunch salads, pizza by the slice and build-your-own charcuterie boards, which can be enjoyed outside on the restaurant’s bistro-like patio. Alcoholic beverages at Petterino’s Pasticceria include canned drinks, beers and bottles of wine. The restaurant will offer $6 glasses of wine Monday through Friday, which can be enjoyed to-go. The restaurant is dog-friendly and includes multiple puppy meals for diners on a stroll.
ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE
Chicago’s theater since 1925, Goodman Theatre is a not-for-profit arts and community organization in the heart of the Loop, distinguished by the excellence and scope of its artistic programming and community engagement. Led by Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive Director/CEO Roche Schulfer, the theater’s artistic priorities include new play development (more than 150 world or American premieres), large-scale musical theater works and reimagined classics. Artists and productions have earner two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and nearly 200 Joseph Jefferson Awards, among other accolades. The Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” Its longtime annual holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, now in its fifth decade, has created a new generation of theatergoers in Chicago. The Goodman also frequently serves as a production and program partner with national and international companies and Chicago’s Off-Loop theaters.
Using the tools of theatrical practice, the Goodman’s Education and Engagement programs aim to develop generations of citizens who understand and empathize with cultures and stories of diverse voices. The Goodman’s Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement is the home of these programs, which are offered for Chicago youth—85% of whom come from underserved communities—schools and life-long learners.
Goodman Theatre was built on the traditional homelands of the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi Nations. We recognize that many other Nations consider the area we now call Chicago as their traditional homeland—including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, Kickapoo and Mascouten—and remains home to many Native peoples today. While we believe that our city’s vast diversity should be reflected on the stages of its largest theater, we acknowledge that our efforts have largely overlooked the voices of our Native peoples. This omission has added to the isolation, erasure and harm that Indigenous communities have faced for hundreds of years. We have begun a more deliberate journey towards celebrating Native American stories and welcoming Indigenous communities.
The Goodman was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago’s cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family’s legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth’s family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation of the new Goodman center in 2000.
Julie Danis is Chair of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Lorrayne Weiss is Women’s Board President and Kelli Garcia is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.