Magic Lounge Astounds

Author

Amanda Finn
July 11, 2025

Yowza, this was a magical week — literally.

Between seeing the 30th anniversary tour of Beauty and the Beast at the Cadillac Palace Theatre and Ryan Plunkett’s new show at the Chicago Magic Lounge, my mind is still reeling.

With hot temperatures and summer rainstorms coming for the Windy City left and right, what better time to be comfy inside at a show? And this week we’ve got several show announcements and fundraisers/galas in the news section. So, find something fun to do and support the artistic community!

Stay Cool Chicago,

Amanda

Who’d a Thunk It - Magic with Ryan Plunkett

Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larson

Anytime I step into a theater, I’m ready for magic. From the hum of the lights to the spectacles on stage, live performance in itself is a type of magic. Yet, Ryan Plunkett takes that notion to a whole new level in his one-man show, Ryan Plunkett’s Old Fashioned Magic at the Chicago Magic Lounge. You’ll find no new-fangled gadgets and gizmos in this gig. Plunkett’s all about keeping things real—well, as real as one can get with magic.

From the moment the show begins, the audience is hooked. Plunkett’s undeniable stage presence is hard to resist. He’s charming, funny, and adept at interacting with his audiences, particularly if they aren’t keen on interacting with him. Imagine if you combined the prowess of Frank Sinatra and René Lavand. That’s Plunkett. Whether he’s dazzling folks with an old-fashioned card trick or transporting a foreign object into a container across the stage, the audience’s mouths are agape.

Just wait until you see what he does with walnuts. I’ll forever be racking my brain around those tricks.

Beyond Plunkett’s incredible show, the Magic Lounge is a magical place all on its own. When you arrive and step through the laundromat facade into the Art Deco style bar, you become part of that magic. Surrounded by vintage magician memorabilia and art, you’re immersed in a storied history.

Even if you aren’t a brave enough soul to volunteer (or be voluntold) to interact with Plunkett, you can get involved on a much smaller scale. If you arrive by 7 p.m., other magicians from the lounge will travel from party to party doing tableside magic. While all three of our visiting magicians were lovely, I hope you get to meet Johnathan Koller. Not only is he an absolute delight, but theater people will adore his very Alex Brightman-esque persona. Even if you accidentally mess up his card trick, he plays along without missing a beat.

Should you be in the mood for a cocktail during your magical misadventure, my favorite was the How Houdini Died. A pineapple forward rum punch that will make every trick just a tiny bit more stupifying.

Playing Wednesdays from now until September 24 at the Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N Clark St, Chicago. Tickets from $42 to $47.50.

Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Larson

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Chicago A&E News

  • American Blues Theater kicks off its 40th-anniversary season with the world premiere of Things With Friends by Kristoffer Diaz, running from August 22 to October 5. Directed by Dexter Bullard, this provocative play, winner of the 2023 Blue Ink Playwriting Award, takes place in Manhattan during a dinner party as the George Washington Bridge collapses. The cast features Audrey Billings, Casey Campbell, Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel, Maya Lou Hlava, Flaco Navaja, and Jon Hudson Odom.

  • Babes With Blades Theatre Company is excited to announce the world premiere of The Mark, a new play developed through their Fighting Words program. Written by ensemble member Jillian Leff and directed by Richard Costes, this dystopian story features Raina, a young Laborer who joins The Army amidst a brewing resistance. The play explores her struggle caught between warring classes and her own beliefs, running from October 11 to November 22 at The Edge Theater.

  • Cabinet of Curiosity presents “Kazoozapalooza Pedal Powered Program Year 4: The Black Man from Macon,” a free, bike-powered spectacle starting July 26 at 1 PM at Boler Park. This unique event will also have performances at Marquette Park and Navy Pier, all in collaboration with various Chicago organizations, including Working Bikes and the Chicago Park District.

  • Dearly Beloved is hosting an unforgettable evening on Sunday, August 10th, from 7-10 PM, with their Daiquiri Fest dedicated to celebrating daiquiri cocktails. Guests will enjoy eight premium daiquiri tastings, expertly crafted by some of Chicago's most talented mixologists from renowned establishments. This intimate experience is strictly limited to ensure personalized attention, so secure your spot now before tickets sell out.

  • Drury Lane Theatre's 2025/26 season features the modern thriller Dial M for Murder, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by Adam Immerwahr. The play, running from September 3 to October 26, centers on a planned murder that goes awry, stemming from an affair and a fortune. The cast includes Amanda Drinkall, Erik Hellman, Alexandra Silber, Ian Paul Custer, and Jonathan Weir.

  • El Che Steakhouse & Brasero, led by Chef John Manion, is hosting a fundraiser on Monday, July 14th, with all proceeds from their Spilt Milk Family Meal going to support Birrieria Zaragoza, which is working to reopen after a recent fire. For $25, guests can enjoy a collaboration steak sandwich by Chefs Manion and Jonathan Zaragoza, along with sides from each. The event, starting at 5 PM, will also feature a live auction and raffles with contributions from many of Chicago's top restaurants. If you can’t make it, here is the GoFundMe.

  • Hell in a Handbag Productions concludes its 2024/25 season with the world premiere of Queen For a Day, a one-act comedy/drama written by ensemble member Tyler Anthony Smith and directed by Stephanie Shaw. This unique play brings together Queen Elizabeth I, Halston, and Liza Minnelli. Queen For a Day runs from July 9 to August 3, at the Bramble Arts Loft in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood.

  • Steppenwolf’s Associates Board invites young professionals to FÊTE FOR 50, their signature fundraising event, on Thursday, August 7, from 6 to 8 PM at Povos Gallery in Chicago. This event will continue celebrations for Steppenwolf's 50th Anniversary Season and raise funds for their Education and Engagement programming. Guests can enjoy food, cocktails, a raffle, music by DJ Moonlanding, and a sneak peek at the upcoming season, with tickets available for $65.

  • The League of Chicago Theatres is holding its annual Spotlight Gala, "A Night Under the Big Top," on Monday, August 4, from 6 to 8 PM at Teatro ZinZanni. This whimsical event will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, and live entertainment, celebrating Chicago theatre and honoring significant contributors. Individual tickets start at $350. Proceeds from the gala will support the League's ongoing efforts to enhance Chicago's theatre community through audience and professional development, and support services.

    Do you have Chicago-based A&E news to announce?

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