The act of entering The Magic Parlour at 50 W. Randolph has never been so magical! Dennis Watkins, “Chicago’s premiere resident magician” (Chicago Tribune), launches his 4th season at 50 W. Randolph with a bespoke renovation, an acclaimed guest artist and “The Spirit Cabinet” performances for Halloween—the date he marks 25 years practicing magic in Chicago, performing to nearly 100,000 guests at nearly 2,500 performances. Produced in partnership with The Goodman and Petterino’s, The Magic Parlour over the past three years has welcomed approximately 30,000 guests to more than 900 performances. This fall, Watkins builds on the success of his guest-artist residencies by welcoming world-famous actor and entertainer Steve Valentine (The Big Bang Theory, Crossing Jordan) for a two-week stand next month. The Magic Parlour, now on sale through December 27, takes place Thursday through Sunday with tickets ranging from $93 - $136. Tickets for Guest Artist Steve Valentine’s performances (September 10 – 20) are $78 - $108. The Spirit Cabinet appears October 28 – 31, with tickets ranging $99 – $148. All tickets include a complimentary beverage. To purchase, call The Goodman Box Office at 312.443.3800 (12 Noon – 5pm) or visit TheMagicParlourChicago.com.
“Inside the downtown Dallas magic shop my grandad operated for three+ decades, there was a door labeled ‘Magicians Only.’ As a young child fascinated by this magical world, I imagined that behind the door was a speakeasy filled with the most exciting wonders. Now, as I mark 25 years practicing magic in Chicago and we enter our fourth year at 50 W. Randolph, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to create an homage to his magic shop—and open the door to joy and wonder for our audiences,” said third-generation magician Dennis Watkins. “Inside our new entryway’s cabinets is a peek into my family’s history with the artform—the people and moments that have impacted me along the way—while our city has become a world-class destination for magic.”
Next month, expect a rollercoaster of miracles and an experience filled with humor, heart and moments of pure astonishment that linger long after Steve Valentine’s final piece of magic. A world-famous actor and entertainer, Valentine has spent a lifetime mastering the art of performance—from small-town UK stages to Hollywood spotlights (The Big Bang Theory, Crossing Jordan, and NCIS: Los Angeles). As a multi-award-winning magician and dynamic showman, he’s headlined in Las Vegas, at The Magic Castle; entertained royalty, Hollywood icons and troops in war zones.
"I have long admired Steve Valentine—a magician of incredible skill and knowledge, and whose range and depth as an actor I envy. His work is skillful, joyful and deeply magical. I cannot wait to share him with our audience,” said Watkins.
Hailed as a “star attraction dazzling audiences in an elegant underground Loop parlor” (WBEZ), The Magic Parlour is “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). In this intimate evening of classic magic and mind-reading previously hosted for more than a decade at the Palmer House (opened on New Year’s Eve, 2011), the audience participates in much of the performance as Watkins wows the room with classic sleight of hand, mind-reading and magical wisdom passed down from his grandfather.
The space at 50 W. Randolph, situated adjacent to the Goodman in Petterino’s transformed lower-level area, continues Watkins’ famed tradition of the VIP experience in The Encore Room, an upgraded ticket option for guests seeking an exclusive 25-minute interaction following the performance. Immediately following the performance, up to 24 guests are escorted to a private space where Watkins performs up-close magic.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS AND PARTNERS
Dennis Watkins’ singular career spans world-class close-up magic, theatrical performance and corporate entertainment for audiences around the globe. For the past 25 years, he has made Chicago his artistic home, where he has become one of the city's most enduring and celebrated performers. Since 2009, Watkins has starred in his critically acclaimed show, Dennis Watkins' The Magic Parlour, performing it nearly 2,500 times for almost 100,000 guests—making it the longest-running magic show in Chicago’s history. In 2023, the show moved into its permanent home in the heart of the city's theater district, in partnership with The Goodman Theatre and Petterino's. The Magic Parlour has also found a home outside of Chicago at performing arts centers and entertainment venues from coast to coast. In 2018, Watkins consulted with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to design and launch its evergreen project, Liberty Magic, a parlour magic theater in the heart of Pittsburgh. The Magic Parlour served as one of the first headlining engagements, selling out a three-week run. Most recently, Dennis appeared at the Adrienne Arsht Center and Maltz Jupiter Theatre. After studying at Meadows School of the Arts and the British American Drama Academy in London, Watkins moved to Chicago and co-founded The House Theatre. As a playwright, actor, director and designer, he has collaborated on more than 30 world-premiere plays. Among his most celebrated roles was as Harry Houdini in The House Theatre's Death and Harry Houdini, an award-winning production that sold out eight separate runs. Additionally, Watkins is a sought-after corporate speaker and entertainer, helping companies and organizations around the world make their most important events unforgettable. He combines business acumen and a natural gift for engaging audiences with world-class magic, crafting corporate presentations that are strategically entertaining from beginning to end.
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.
Since 1925, The Goodman has been more than a stage. A theatrical home for artists and a gathering space for community, it’s where stories come to life—bold in artistry and rich in history, deeply rooted in the city it serves.
Led by Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive Director John Collins, The Goodman sparks conversation, connection and change through new plays, reimagined classics and large-scale musicals. With distinctions including nearly 200 world or American premieres, two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and nearly 200 Joseph Jefferson Awards, The Goodman is proud to be the first theater to produce all 10 plays of August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” In addition, the theater frequently serves as a production partner—with national and international companies to Chicago’s Off-Loop theaters—to help amplify theatrical voices.
But The Goodman believes a more empathetic, more connected Chicago is created one story at a time, and counts as its greatest legacy the community it’s built. Generation-spanning productions and programs offer theater for a lifetime; from Theater for the Very Young (plays designed for ages 0-5) to the long-running annual A Christmas Carol, which has introduced new generations to theater over five decades, The Goodman is committed to being an asset for all of Chicago. Education and Engagement programs led by Clifford Director of Education and Engagement Jared Bellot and housed in the Alice Rapoport Center use the tools of theater to spark imagination, reflection and belonging. Each year, these programs reach thousands of people (85% from underserved communities) as well as educators, artists and lifelong learners across the city.
The Goodman stands on the unceded homelands of the Council of the Three Fires—the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations—and acknowledges the many other Nations for whom this land now called Chicago has long been home, including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, Kickapoo, and Mascouten. The Goodman is proud to partner with the Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum (Gichigamiin-Museum.org) and the Center for Native Futures (CenterForNativeFutures.org)—organizations devoted to honoring Indigenous stories, preserving cultural memory, and deepening public understanding.
The Goodman was founded by William O. Goodman and his family to honor the memory of Kenneth Sawyer Goodman—a visionary playwright whose bold ideas helped shape Chicago’s early cultural renaissance. That spirit of creativity and generosity endures today. In 2000, through the commitment of Mr. Goodman’s descendants—Albert Ivar Goodman and his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton—The Goodman opened the doors to its current home in the heart of the Loop. Marsha Cruzan is Chair of the Goodman Theatre Board of Trustees; Diane Landgren is Women’s Board President; and Kelli Garcia is president of the Scenemakers Board for Young Professionals.