Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago’s home for close-up magic, announces the return of Walter King Jr. (aka The Spellbinder)’s hit show Diary of a Black Illusionist after its sold out run this spring. King, hailed by the Chicago Reader as “a rare showman,” brings his show the Chicago Culture Authority calls “an excellent evening of offbeat magic presented by a consummate pro” back to the Chicago Magic Lounge Wednesdays at 7:00pm, October 2 – December 17, 2025. Tickets are priced $42 (Main Floor) and $47.50 (Front Row). Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge shows are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com.
The Spellbinder returns! Diary of a Black Illusionist is back by popular demand. Diary of a Black Illusionist combines magic and heartfelt storytelling, inspired by the vibrant energy of Chicago's urban scene. Join Walter King, Jr.as he brings his personal diary to life on stage, sharing entries addressed to his father and revealing how his West Side roots influenced his unique blend of hip-hop dance, music, theater, and mind-bending magic. King's career spans the epic dance clubs of 1980s Chicago, the grand stages of Las Vegas, viral fame, and international renown with millions of views on social media.
Diary of a Black Illusionist is more than a show—it's a celebration of culture, resilience, and wonder, brought to life by a master entertainer who knows exactly how to leave you astonished, uplifted, and spellbound.
About Walter King, Jr.
Walter King, Jr., "The Spellbinder" is America's premier Master entertainer of magic and illusion. Born and raised on the Westside of Chicago, Walter is a self-taught illusionist/magician and the first to combine Hip-Hop dance, music, and theater with the visual art of illusion and magic. He is also the first African American Illusionist to perform in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. King, an award-winning illusionist, has performed for nearly 4 decades throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean Islands and has entertained stars like Jennifer Hudson, Gladys Knight, and Chance The Rapper, to name a few. A recent private performance went viral on TikTok and Instagram, accumulating over 15 million views worldwide. During the late 2000s, he was named one of the "Great Performers of Illinois" by the IAC (Illinois Arts Council).
The Chicago Magic Lounge is also pleased to announce its slate of programming for the 2025 holiday season. Join CML from Halloween through New Year’s Eve for unforgettable evenings of spooky mystery and sleight of hand, close-up magic, escape artistry, and more.
The 2025 Holiday Lineup Includes:
Halloween Weekend
The Signature Show: Tricks and Treats
Thursday, October 30 - November 2nd
Tickets: Front Row $90 - $98, Premium Main Floor (main floor banquette and main floor cabaret) $80.00 – $90.00, Standard (rail and elevated banquette) $70 - $80, Mezzanine $60.00 – $65.00.
This Halloween, we've curated a wickedly entertaining weekend of devious deceptions, spooky tales, and miraculous feats. Our featured act is the award-winning magician and escape artist, Thomas Solomon, renowned as "The World's Greatest Escape Artist." Thomas will captivate audiences with his innovative performance of magic and escape artistry.
In addition, master magician and storyteller David Parr will return to the Chicago Magic Lounge to headline this celebration of spooky season—his favorite time of year. David will take you on a mysterious journey that is both weird and wonderful.
True to Chicago-style magic, the first hour will feature walk-around magic performed right at your table by our resident magicians. It's a weekend that promises to provide chills and thrills like no other.
Guests who purchase tickets for the Front Row, Main Floor Cabaret, and Main Floor Banquette are invited to an exclusive close-up magic performance directly after the main stage show in our 43-seat close-up gallery, The 654 Club—limited availability.
About the Artists
David Parr is an internationally acclaimed magician, writer, and lecturer who has dedicated his life to sharing the experience of mystery with audiences worldwide. Magic fans will recognize David from his appearance on the hit TV show "Penn & Teller: Fool Us," where he successfully fooled the renowned duo.
Parr created and co-starred in Chicago's longest-running weekly magic show, The Magic Cabaret, which the Travel Channel named one of the top nine magic shows in the nation (because top-ten lists are so passé). In 2019, David Parr's "Cabinet of Curiosities" completed a successful year-long run at the Chicago Magic Lounge, followed by a tour across the United States. In 2024, he debuted his new show, "Magical Thinking," at the Chicago Magic Lounge, where he completed a three-month residency, receiving rave reviews from theater critics.
Thomas Solomon is an award-winning magician and escape artist, often referred to as "The Thinking-Man's Magician" and "The World's Greatest Escape Artist." His diverse career spans theatre, industrial shows, and television, earning him numerous accolades.
Notable accomplishments include his network television specials on Channel 4 (Thomas Solomon, The Escape Artist), ITV (The Secret World of Magic and Magicians), BBC (The History of Magic) in Great Britain, NHK (Magic) in Japan, as well as on The History Channel (No Jail Can Hold Me) in the United States and internationally. He has showcased his award-winning magic at renowned venues such as Bally's MK, the Roxy, New York Comedy Club, various Off-Broadway theaters, and the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood.
Solomon's passion for magic and escape artistry knows no bounds, and he continues to present cutting-edge artistic performances that leave his audiences captivated and cheering.
Holiday Week
Chicago Magic Lounge presents a week of The Signature Show between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
The Holiday week schedule for The Signature Show is as follows:
December 26 – December 30 at 7pm
December 28 at 4pm
December 26 - 27 at 10pm
Tickets: Front Row $90 - $98, Premium Main Floor (main floor banquette and main floor cabaret) $80.00 – $90.00, Standard (rail and elevated banquette) $70 - $80, Mezzanine $60.00 – 65.00.
New Year’s Eve
Wednesday, December 31 at 7pm and 10pm
Tickets: Mezz $85-95.00, Rail / Elevated Banquette $95-105, Main Floor Cabaret / Main Floor Banquette $105-120, Front Row $120-135
Bid adieu to 2025 at the Chicago Magic Lounge! The evening starts with close-up magic performed right at your cabaret table by our talented house magicians. In between visits, you will have time to socialize with your party and order from our full-service bar and kitchen. Table magic is followed by a 60-minute stage show.
Enjoy a special performance of The Signature Show at 7pm and be home in time for the ball drop or join us for The New Year's Eve Show at 10pm, including a countdown to midnight, a Champagne toast, and a commemorative champagne flute.
Also Happening at Chicago Magic Lounge
The Close-Up Show
Mondays at 7:00pm
Tickets: General Admission $35
The Showcase
Tuesdays at 7:00pm
Tickets: Standard: $37.50; Front Row: $42
Artist-in-Residence Series
Ryan Plunkett’s Old Fashioned Magic
Wednesdays at 7:00pm through September 24, 2025
Tickets: Standard: $42.50; Front Row: $47.50
Ryan Plunkett, a founding member and frequent performer at the Chicago Magic Lounge, will take the stage at the Harry Blackstone Cabaret with his hit one-man show, Old Fashioned Magic. Join us for an unforgettable evening of analog wonders. Witness cunning miracles and elegant magic presented in a style infused with biting wit and relaxed sophistication.
The Signature Show
Thursdays-Sundays at 7:00pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 10pm, Sundays at 4pm starting May 11th
Tickets: Front Row $89.50 - $96, Premium Main Floor (main floor banquette and main floor cabaret) $76.00 – $82.50, Standard (rail and elevated banquette) $68.50 - $75, Mezzanine $55.00 – 61.50.
Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge performances are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com. Chicago Magic Lounge is a 21+ venue. Ages 16+ allowed to ticketed evening shows with a legal guardian. Ages 5+ are allowed to The Family Show. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. The staff and performers of the Chicago magic lounge are fully vaccinated for covid 19. Ticket holders must attest to being fully vaccinated against covid-19 or have tested negative within 48 hours prior to your visit to enter the premises.
For a complete schedule of performances and more information about Chicago Magic Lounge, resident and guest performers, and more, please visit chicagomagiclounge.com.