LA's Best Kept Secret:
Discovered a new/old, wonderful world of theater --- where you get to escape reality and enter a world of magic and mystery. This place is LA's best kept secret. The best part is there is NO COVER to hang out at the bar and visit the magic shop. The show is out of this world. Flying ladies on stage, incredible slight of hand, and death defying stage illusions. I was especially impressed with the fact that the two hour stage show has been running solid for 13 years 250 shows a year, this only 3 blocks from beautiful Santa Monica beach. How did I not hear about this??? The price of the two hour Broadway show is only 7 dollars more than a movie theater and the experience does not compare. Had a wonderful time, would highly recommend to anyone young and old.
by Jay on April 18, 2010
amazing:
All of us in our party of 3 agreed it was one of the best plans we ever had. We wanted to do something fun, but were tired of the crazy club scene. There were people of all ages. The show was very entertaining. We were amazed by the tricks, all the magicians were very funny comics and didn't take anything too seriously ( a la david copperfield). Highly recommend this show, especially for a fun night out!
by shawn on January 02, 2009
Great Magic at a Great Venue:
I recently visited Steven Spill's Magicopolis in Santa Monica, California. His vision for a first rate magic theater is now in its 11th year. As you'll see, I thoroughly enjoyed Spill's "Escape Reality" stage show and found that he's made some significant changes to his venue that makes a great experience even better.
Out on LA's west side, Magicopolis serves-up astounding magic in a classy venue that's one block from Santa Monica's popular Third Street Promenade. Its fantastic stage show offers a deft and entertaining mix of large scale illusions, stand-up effects, comedy and music that will appeal to everyone in the family. There are also close-up shows performed at a new bar.
The Escape
Running on weekends, "Escape Reality," the venue’s entertaining stage show, stars owner Steven Spill and Bozena Sparrow, his wife. It's a two-hour experience - including an intermission -which is a throwback to great magic shows of the past. Spill and Sparrow perform by themselves, as well as together in big scale illusions and humorous comedy sketches.
Spill gets up-close and personal by reading the minds of audience members and borrowing finger rings and linking them. And his bag of tricks includes a harrowing escape from a formidable spiked apparatus. Sparrow draws on her acting prowess (she has appeared in numerous movies and television shows) to bring a theatrical flair to her show segments.
Together, the magical pair induce a sense of wonder and provide comical moments that send spectators into hysterics. You'll remember the stunning image of Sparrow mysteriously floating above a couch as well as Spill's hilarious turn in a wedding dress. For magicians and the delight of lay spectators, the husband and wife team perform the best version I have ever seen of Slydini's classic (I'll use initials here so I don't spoil the fun for lay folks) N.O.T.H.
The Venue
Magicopolis' roomy theater features comfortable seats that are set on a steep incline. There's hardly a bad seat in the house, except for the extreme right and left front rows.
The venue has undergone several recent changes. The close-up room has been replaced with a party room that allows groups to cater meals, as well as families to hold birthday parties. Another recent addition is a full bar that has turned the venue into a nightspot and serves as a stage for close-up shows. There's also a magic store with ongoing demonstrations.
Unless you're part of a group that has organized an event ahead of time, an afternoon or evening at Magicopolis doesn’t include a meal, but there are snacks and drinks that may be purchased. There's no dress code and the venue is family friendly.
You can easily make an afternoon out of some shopping and eating at the Promenade, and then cap the day with the wonderful entertainment found at Magicopolis. Or travel to Santa Monica just to see the magic. Steven Spill will make it worth your visit.
by wayne k on December 27, 2008
who knew:
I've never heard of it and I thought why not go! Well...first I started with some drinks...the bartender there was amazing and he was a magician himself! Ladies...easy on the eyes...and gents...if you take a lady friend watch out, cause he might snatch her away...he gave me a rose made out of a napkin! Yes...he did!!! Anyway...three drinks later....the show must go on!!!! The magic show was great! It was funny and the audience participation is amazing! Kids love it and well I consider myself a big kid so I definitely will go back! I didn't give it 5 stars because one or two of the tricks I saw the secret!!! BUT don't worry...I won't spoil it!!!
I recommend this place! Its AWESOME!
by amy on December 18, 2008