Theatre News Wire

Acclaimed third-generation magician and mind reader Dennis Watkins announced today that Dennis Watkins' The Magic Parlour will return to Chicago's Palmer House Hilton for in-person performances beginning Friday, August 6. Watkins will introduce several new magic and mentalism pieces to his show. Dennis' Watkins' The Magic Parlour is Chicago's longest-running magic show, celebrating 10 years at the Palmer House Hilton this year.

"I absolutely cannot wait to perform again in-person and feel the powerful connection of a shared experience between families, friends and strangers. People who come together at the Palmer House on any given day - that's what really makes the show fly," said Watkins. "Every evolution of my show has been driven by one guiding principle: let the audience be the magicians. Beginning in August, the new pieces I'll share will allow my audiences to perform magical miracles all on their own."

Dennis Watkins' The Magic Parlour is committed to providing a safe and entertaining experience for its guests. All Magic Parlour staff are fully vaccinated and the performance team will operate in accordance with the health and safety guidelines recommended by the City of Chicago and the CDC.

Dennis Watkins' The Magic Parlour offers an intimate performance atmosphere with a limited capacity of 40 guests per show. By providing proof of vaccination upon arrival to the Palmer House, masks will be optional in accordance with local guidelines. Masks will be required for any guests who cannot provide proof of vaccination.

Guests looking for an even more exclusive experience are invited to upgrade their performance ticket to include a visit to The Encore Room following The Magic Parlour performance. Immediately after the show, The Encore Room guests are escorted to a smaller, private space within the Palmer House, where they are welcomed to a to a card table with Watkins to witness the most intimate close-up magic he has up his sleeve. This experience is available for $30 per person and limited to 12 guests per show. Proof of vaccination is required for all Encore Room guests.

About Dennis Watkins' The Magic Parlour
The Magic Parlour is an intimate evening of classic magic and mind-reading featuring the work of third-generation magician Dennis Watkins. Guests to this intimate, magic-packed evening gather at Potter's in the Palmer House lobby before Watkins personally escorts them to the performance space. Once inside, 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 an intimate experience with only 40 guests per show, The Magic Parlour has entertained over 45,000 guests in its decade-long run. Additionally, it has hosted more than 1,300 ticketed audiences and dozens of private groups, facilitated three truly magical wedding proposals, and has been featured in two books (Chicago Magic: A History of Stagecraft and Spectacle and 100 Things to do in Chicago Before You Die).