Recently we hosted a giveaway for a family four-pack of tickets to THE ILLUSIONISTS: MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS at The National Theatre in Washington DC! The show’s run started back on December 3, and continues on through December 8. We had the pleasure of attending the show on its Opening Night, and I couldn’t be more excited to share with you the details of this jaw-dropping production!
Ring in the holidays with the mind-blowing spectacular THE ILLUSIONISTS – MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS, showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible illusionists on earth. THE ILLUSIONISTS has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever seen on stage. This nonstop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.
The show opened with Dizzy (Darren Partridge) who used his mischievous British charm to delight audience members with hilarious tricks. He then gave way to introduce the rest of the Illusionists with a theatrical mutli-media montage filled with lights, videos, and “disappearing” Illusionists. I knew right then and there this was going to be an exciting production!
Steve Valentine was the next showman to take the stage. He was one of my favorites! His witty banter with the audience was a delight and his tricks left me thinking “Wait! What just happened???”. I like that he brings comedy to his act. The audience was in stitches laughing!
Another Illusionist that impressed me quite a bit was “daredevil” Jonathan Goodwin! One of his acts included escaping restraints, while he had a scorpion in his mouth. Yes, you read that right. While escaping his peril, he had to do it while a live scorpion was taped shut in his mouth. Yikes!
Illusionist Stuart MacLeod is another one who had us straight-up belly laughing with his comedic trickery routine! I don’t want to give too much away, but I completely understand why he’s racked up over 100 million views on YouTube!
Other acts include “Quick-Change” Illusionists Sos and Victoria. Their unique act of moving lightening-fast still has me scratching my head. Speaking of moving fast, Valentin Azema offers magic where he too defies the limits of space and time. Lastly Florian Sainvet offers a cool act where he plays a futuristic robot, and master of manipulation!
Overall I was quite impressed with the show! It’s great for families as a fun holiday activity. I think the only downside is that we sat up in the Mezzanine, so we were not picked for audience participation. If you want to be picked, I definitely recommend purchasing seats in the Orchestra near the front of the stage!
I do want to mention The National Theatre is offering a special pre-show Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays cocktail hour! The Helen Hayes Lounge will open two hours prior to evening performances so you can eat, drink, and enjoy a special “behind-the-curtain” look at how crafty cocktails are mixed. Learn cocktail- and mocktail-making techniques in a free, casual, hands-on way that’s fun for the whole family!
Recommended for ages 6 and up. Run time: Approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes with intermission.
The National Theatre is located downtown on 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC, 20004, facing Pennsylvania Avenue and Freedom Plaza. There is a parking garage right next to the Theatre, which you can use Spot Hero to reserve a spot (use my referral link to save $7!). The closest Metro stop is Metro Center.
Tickets for THE ILLUSIONISTS –MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS are currently on sale and may be purchased at TheNationalDC.com, by calling 1-800-514-3849, or in person at the National Theatre Box Office (open Monday-Friday from 12pm-6pm and two hours prior to every performance).
For more information on the show visit: http://thenationaldc.com/events/category/series/the-illusionists-magic-of-the-holidays/
Don’t forget that The National Theatre invites patrons to dine pre-or post-show with partners The Occidental, BLT Prime by David Burke, Claudia’s Steakhouse, Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, Fig & Olive, Flight Wine Bar, The Hamilton, Mirabelle, MXDC, and Proper 21! We dined at MXDC prior to this show, and enjoyed our meal immensely!
You can’t go wrong with tacos, right? For more information about restaurant partners and special deals, visit TheNationalDC.com/Hotel-Restaurant-Partners.
The remainder of the 2019-2020 Broadway at the National season will include: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (December 10-15, 2019), JERSEY BOYS (December 17, 2019 -January 5, 2020), THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY (January 31 -February 1, 2020), THE KING’S SPEECH (February 11-16, 2020), BANDSTAND (March 3-8, 2020), STING STARRING IN THE LAST SHIP (March 27 -April 5, 2020), ROALD DAHL’S CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (April 7-26, 2020), BLUE MAN GROUP (May 8-17, 2020), BABY SHARK LIVE! (June 5-7, 2020), and SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL (July 22 -August 2, 2020).
This post is in partnership with Allied Global. All opinions are 100% my own.
That show looks like a great way to usher in the holidays. Making it a great night with dinner would just add to a perfect experience in DC.
I love watching illusionists but have never seen one in person. This sounds like a great show.
This would be such a neat show to see! I know my family would love it. Plus this food looks incredible.
Oh this is sounding so cool! I’d bring my daughter along to see this show for sure. I love that each of the performers does something exciting and different.
We were in DC recently and I heard about this and really wanted to go see it, but never got the chance. It looks like such a great time!
This would be so cool to take the kids to! I know they would love this!
This is purely entertainment at it’s finest. I love going to shows like this. So much thrill and excitement awaits as you watch.
Now this looks like a fun show to go see! I have actually never been to a live magic show!!
The best occasion to have a pleasant evening! I love the idea of pre-show cocktail hour!
That looks like it would have been so much fun. I would have loved to go there. I love watching shows like these.
It sounds like a great show! My family would love it. One of my kids dabbled in magic tricks when he was in high school. It was always fun to try and figure out how he did it.
Oh my goodness, this looks like such an amazing show. I would absolutely love to see this one! I am a big fan of magic and illusions. Thanks for this.
I would absolutely love this! I to watch and illusionist work. I am always so amazed at what they can do.
What a fun experience! It’s amazing how well illusionists can trick your senses!
This show looks SO good! I really wish we could have attended. Hoping to see Fiddler on the Roof later this month.
That sounds like a really neat, and interesting show to see. It is nice to go to shows that are unique. This would be a fun experience!