The actor-turned-magician had a few tricks up his sleeve for residency.
The actor-turned-magician had a few tricks up his sleeve for residency.
Excitement filled the air upon entering the dimly lit, intimate Magic Parlour, located at 50 W. Randolph St., in partnership with the Goodman Theatre.
Arriving at the whimsically sophisticated venue, guests were greeted by a bookcase posing as a hidden door, revealing a spiral staircase leading to a below-ground space. After descending the stairs and receiving a drink ticket, there laid a stack of programs placed on a corner table highlighting the man everyone was there to see — Steve Valentine — in the final shows of his residency.
While known as an actor — playing the dimwitted and debonair Derek Jupiter on the Disney XD series “I’m In The Band” — Valentine got his start in showbiz as a magician, learning from mentor Dick Turpin and working for years at the esteemed Magic Castle in Los Angeles, winning numerous awards.
Before the show, guests flooded the Encore Room, a private space that featured a shelved bar where they were able to redeem free drink tickets. Those with VIP access went into the lounge for a private Q&A with Valentine and saw additional tricks after the show.
The venue alone greatly exceeded expectations. The attention and care the staff displayed toward their guests was refreshing, and the high-end design truly established a classy, elevated experience for show-goers.
What makes a magic show great is not the tricks — it’s the performer. Valentine is a showman who exudes an effortless charisma. His comedic timing was impeccable — he was quick on his feet, adapting his jokes on the spot and building rapport with the crowd.
Valentine’s show told the story of his life and career, covering where he got his start, his tenure at the Magic Castle, his life as a struggling actor hoping to be taken seriously by executives, his vow to never do magic again and his eventual return to the craft.
His inspiring tale offered great insights into the world of show business, sharing his struggles with being put into a box and some of the guests he’s gotten to perform for, including the late, great Michael Jackson.
During the private Q&A, Valentine said he got the idea of telling a story and having a theme in his show from watching one of illusionist Derren Brown’s performances. He was impressed by the way Brown incorporated storytelling and magic entertainingly and thoughtfully.
The tricks Valentine performed were impressive, and he continued to make the typical trick extraordinary — transferring a card to a sealed box, pulling a bowl of goldfish from a seemingly empty bag, using the art of misdirection to shock his viewers.
His show featured an abundance of crowd work, bringing attendees on stage to pick cards and shuffle decks, leaving them in disbelief at the sleight of hand.
If the chance ever appears to see Steve Valentine live or attend a show at The Magic Parlour, do not miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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