Magic fans in Crystal Lake are in for a special evening as magician and actor John Westford takes the stage for a one-night-only performance at Raue Center for the Arts.
Known for combining world-class illusions, quick wit, and a commanding stage presence, Westford has entertained audiences across the United States, appeared on national television, and performed aboard cruise ships around the globe.
What sets Westford apart is his ability to improvise and interact with the audience in real time. No two performances are exactly alike, making each show a fresh and unpredictable experience filled with laughter, surprises, and moments of genuine wonder.
Richard Kuranda, Executive Director of the Raue Center, praised Westford’s ability to captivate audiences of all ages.
“John Westford is not just a magician; he is a master at creating unforgettable moments of wonder,” Kuranda said. “His performances are exciting, funny, and completely unpredictable, making them perfect for the entire family.”
Tickets for the performance start at $30, while RaueNOW members can purchase discounted tickets starting at $18.20. Prices include the box office fee, though an additional processing fee applies at checkout.
Tickets are available online through Raue Center for the Arts or by calling the box office at 815-356-9212.
If you enjoy magic that combines stunning illusions, audience participation, and spontaneous comedy, this promises to be a memorable night of entertainment.
“What is the fastest liquid on Earth? Milk—because it’s pasteurized before you ever see it!”
That groan-worthy joke is just one of dozens in the arsenal of veteran magician Laurence “Chuck” Levy, an 83-year-old entertainer from Kirkwood, Missouri who has built a lifetime career around two things: magic and laughter.
Known to many as “Laurence Nothing Up My Sleeve Levy,” Chuck performs with a sign hidden under his sleeve that literally reads “Nothing.” It’s a perfect example of the playful humor that has become his trademark over decades of entertaining audiences of all ages.
Magic That Focuses on Fun
For Chuck, the goal of a magic show has never been simply fooling people.
Rather than leaving audiences wondering how a trick was done, he wants them walking away smiling and talking about how much fun they had.
That philosophy has guided his career from birthday parties and weddings to restaurants and street performances.
A Childhood Fascination with Magic
Chuck’s love of magic began when he was 11 years old at summer camp in Baltimore, Maryland. A counselor performed magic around the campfire and taught the campers a few simple tricks.
Inspired, Chuck checked out The Amateur Magician’s Handbook from his local library and began teaching himself.
Soon afterward, he became a regular at the legendary Yogi Magic Mart in downtown Baltimore. The magic shop served as a gathering place for local performers, and owner Phil Thomas took young Chuck under his wing, eventually allowing him to demonstrate tricks behind the counter.
Chuck still considers Thomas his greatest mentor.
Balancing Business and Magic
Throughout high school, Chuck performed at parties and special events. After graduation, he pursued a degree in psychology from the University of Maryland and entered the nonferrous metals industry.
His business career eventually brought him to Kirkwood in 1983, where his passion for magic was reignited.
Restaurant Magic and 94 Bad Jokes
After joining the local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Chuck was inspired by restaurant magician Al the Only and his influential book The Business of Restaurant Magic.
Chuck soon became a regular performer at restaurants throughout the St. Louis area, including Amigos, Helen Fitzgerald’s, and Krueger’s Bar.
It was during these years that he developed his famous collection of 94 “bad jokes.”
According to Chuck, some are borrowed, some are original, but none of them are inappropriate.
Reinventing Himself as a Street Performer
When the pandemic shut down restaurants, Chuck found a new outlet for his talents.
Armed with balloons, close-up magic, and a tip jar, he began performing on the streets of downtown Kirkwood near the local farmers’ market.
The response was immediate and encouraging.
Today, Chuck continues to entertain shoppers and families on weekends, easily recognizable by his colorful hat and contagious sense of humor.
Sharing Magic with Other Magicians
Beyond performing, Chuck has also contributed to the magic community through his lecture, Lazy Magic, which teaches simple adjustments that can dramatically improve performances.
Fellow magician Jeff Lefton describes Chuck as highly creative, noting that he has developed many original routines and clever presentations.
Still Going Strong at 83
Chuck Levy is proof that magic has no age limit.
With seven children, twelve grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, he remains as active as he wants to be—balancing family life, business, travel, and performances.
And, of course, he never misses the opportunity to share one more bad joke.
As Chuck likes to say:
“I’m still the greatest magician in my price range—and modest as well.”
To learn more about Chuck Levy and his performances, visit Magical Fun.
Families looking for a fun-filled school holiday activity are in for a treat as Tim Credible presents his popular Tim Credible’s Family Magic Show as part of the Melbourne Magic Festival.
Known for combining laugh-out-loud comedy, astonishing magic, and nonstop audience participation, Tim Credible has become one of Australia’s most beloved family entertainers. His high-energy performances are designed to captivate children while delivering enough wit and charm to keep parents thoroughly entertained as well.
Interactive Magic for the Whole Family
One of the highlights of the show is the strong emphasis on audience involvement. Children are invited onstage to assist with the magic, creating unforgettable moments and ensuring that every performance feels unique.
The result is a shared experience where kids and adults alike become part of the fun rather than simply watching from their seats.
Award-Winning Children’s Entertainer
Based in Melbourne, Tim Credible has earned a stellar reputation for his engaging performances and natural ability to connect with audiences of all ages. He is a previous winner of Best Kids Show at the Melbourne Magic Festival, a testament to his popularity and talent as a family entertainer.
Perfect for School Holidays
Recommended for children ages 3 to 12, the show is ideal for families seeking quality live entertainment during the winter school break. Even older children and adults will find plenty to enjoy thanks to Tim’s fast-paced humor and polished magical routines.
If you are in Melbourne during the school holidays, this award-winning family magic show promises a delightful morning of laughter, astonishment, and interactive fun for audiences of all ages.
Magic and live theater come together in a fascinating new production that is unlike anything audiences have seen before.
American Theater Group is bringing back The Unwitting Magician for two special performances at the Union Arts Center in Union, New Jersey.
The performances will take place:
Saturday, May 16 at 7:00 PM
Sunday, May 17 at 2:00 PM
Each show will feature a different actor stepping into the unknown.
Saturday’s performance stars Eric William Morris, whose Broadway credits include King Kong, Coram Boy, and Mamma Mia!
Sunday’s performance features Stephanie Kurtzuba, known for her appearances in The Wolf of Wall Street, The Irishman, and Fly Me to the Moon.
A One-of-a-Kind Magical Experience
What makes The Unwitting Magician so unique is that the actor has never seen the script before.
The performer walks onstage with only a music stand and a sealed script. They open it for the first time in front of the audience and must read and perform it live with no rehearsal and no preparation.
As the story unfolds, the actor becomes the “unwitting magician,” discovering the magic at the same time as the audience.
The result is an extraordinary blend of theater, mystery, and astonishment.
Created by Jeremy Dobrish
The show was developed by Jeremy Dobrish, an acclaimed director, playwright, and creative leader known for developing new plays and musicals.
Dobrish has directed productions at notable venues such as Second Stage, MCC Theater, Joe’s Pub, and many others.
The concept was first presented last December as part of American Theater Group’s Free Monday Night Play Reading Series, where it received an enthusiastic response from audiences.
According to Dobrish, the production explores themes of free will, manipulation, and the relationship between magician and audience.
He explains that magicians guide spectators’ perceptions and decisions, and the play examines similar ways society influences our choices.
Magic with a Deeper Message
While the show includes impressive magical moments, it also invites audiences to think about larger questions.
Dobrish describes the experience as entertaining and thought-provoking, combining strong theatrical storytelling with the wonder of magic.
Because each performance features a different actor encountering the script for the very first time, no two shows are ever exactly alike.
That unpredictability is part of what makes the production so compelling.
A Lifelong Love of Magic
Dobrish says he has loved magic since childhood.
Although his career led him into directing and playwriting, he never lost his fascination with illusion. He notes that magic has influenced nearly everything he has created.
The Unwitting Magician is the culmination of those two passions, blending theatrical storytelling with the principles of magic in a completely original way.
For magic enthusiasts, theater lovers, and anyone who enjoys experiencing something truly different, this production promises an unforgettable evening where both the actor and the audience discover the impossible together.
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