THE HANGOVER REPORT – The intimate, seductive SPEAKEASY MAGICK returns to the McKittrick Hotel

A peak inside “Speakeasy Magick” at the McKittrick Hotel.

Last weekend, I attended a performance of Speakeasy Magick, which recently returned to the McKittrick Hotel’s Club Car space (the elaborate venue’s premiere attraction, the immersive theater juggernaut Sleep No More, returns to the McKittrick in October). Once again hosted by Todd Robbins – who recently concluded an extended run of Haunt Quest at SoHo Playhouse – with a mix of sarcasm and sinister glee, the intimate, cabaret-like evening is a seductive opportunity to get up close and personal with a rotating roster of some of New York’s most talented magicians.

The show’s fast-paced, variety show setup works remarkably well, keeping the entertainment factor at an impressively high level throughout the 90-minute experience. The evening features a tightly-knit army of magicians, who spend about 10-15 minutes at each table (note: you’ll probably see about three quarters of them). At the show I attended, each of the magicians who visited my table exhibited complete mastery and control of their craft. Perhaps more memorably, however, they were distinctive performers who seduced with their personalities as much as their trickery. Even more tantalizing was how they revealed some of the secrets – but not too much – of their sleight-of-hand, which made their skills that much more astonishing.

As with everything the McKittrick Hotel presents, Speakeasy Magick creates a carefully calibrated atmosphere that’s akin to a waking dream. As such, the production itself works in the same way as magic tricks do – that is, to fabricate a completely convincing illusion. From the moody lighting to the meticulously concocted craft cocktails, every detail contributes to the show’s sexy, enveloping world and encourages participants to unleash their inhibitions. Note that each table seats a single party of ten, which is a smart idea – sharing the experience with friends only heightens the fun factor and intoxicating immersion of it all.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

SPEAKEASY MAGICK
Magic, Immersive theater / In-person
The McKittrick Hotel
1 hour, 30 minutes
Open run

Categories: Cabaret, Off-Broadway, Theater

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