BROADWAY IN CHICAGO Announces THE ILLUSIONISTS – WITNESS THE IMPOSSIBLE™ TO VISIT CHICAGO MARCH 10 – 22, 2015

Broadway In Chicago is pleased to announce that THE ILLUSIONISTS – WITNESS THE IMPOSSIBLE™, the world’s best-selling touring magic show, will play Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W Randolph) for a two-week engagement March 10 through March 22, 2015.  The show opens on BroadwayDecember 4, 2014 for a limited six-week run.

THE ILLUSIONISTS – WITNESS THE IMPOSSIBLE™ is produced by Simon Painter, Tim Lawson, MagicSpace Entertainment, Road Show Entertainment LLC, and The Production Office.  Conceived by Simon Painter, the show’s creative team also includes executive producer Tim Lawson, director Neil Dorward and creative director Jim Millan.

Having shattered box office records around the world, THE ILLUSIONISTS – WITNESS THE IMPOSSIBLE™ is now coming to captivate New York. This mind-blowing spectacular showcases the jaw-dropping talents of seven of the most incredible illusionists on earth.   Full of hilarious magic tricks, death-defying stunts and acts of breathtaking wonder, THE ILLUSIONISTS has dazzled audiences of all ages.    Creative Producer Simon Painter said, “We can’t wait to bring this electrifying show to Broadway for a truly entertaining experience for the whole family. THE ILLUSIONISTS is the most non-stop and powerful mix of outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on the live stage.”

The seven stars, each a master in their own field, are:

• The Manipulator, Yu Ho-Jin.  Considered a rising superstar in the world of magic; Yu Ho-Jin was recently named the 2014 “Magician of the Year,” by Academy of Magical Arts and was the first Asian to win the Grand Prix at the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques, also known as the “Olympics of Magic.”
• The Anti-Conjuror, Dan Sperry. Described as Marilyn Manson meets David Copperfield, Dan combines the art of magic with the macabre and is one of the top-10 most Googled people, thanks to a legendary “America’s Got Talent” appearance.
• The Trickster, Jeff Hobson is the epitome of glamour and showmanship. Don’t be fooled by his innocent appearance; Jeff has audiences laughing long after the curtain goes down.
• The Escapologist, Andrew Basso. Italy’s star escape artist, Andrew considers Houdini his hero and is fast becoming one of the world’s most popular illusionists. He is the only person in the world to perform Houdini’s famous Water Torture Cell with absolutely no covers.
• The Inventor, Kevin James, known for innovative illusions, is an inventor, comedian and collector of the strange and unusual. Kevin is one of the most prolific inventors of magic in the world and has created some of the most celebrated illusions of the last century.
• The Warrior, Aaron Crow, a strong and silent type specializing in weapon magic, has mastered some of the most dangerous acts without saying a single word. Belgium’s international magic sensation, a first place finisher at the World Championships of Magic, he uses swords, paintball guns and powerful crossbows to keep fans on the edge of their seat.
• The Futurist, Adam Trent, shatters stereotypes and brings a new generation of magic to fans fusing technology illusions, dancing and comedy with classic techniques. 

TICKET INFORMATION

Group tickets for 10 or more for THE ILLUSIONISTS – WITNESS THE IMPOSSIBLE™, are now on sale by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Individual tickets for THE ILLUSIONISTS – WITNESS THEIMPOSSIBLE™, will go on sale at a later date.  For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com or www.theillusionistslive.com.

SIMON PAINTER, CREATIVE PRODUCER

Simon Painter is a visionary creative theatrical producer who hails from London.  Simon started his career on stage as a classical violinist, and performed the lead role for Spirit of the Dance in Las Vegas. The first show he produced, Le Grand Cirque smashed box office records at the Sydney Opera House selling over 40,000 tickets in 10 days. His two subsequent productions, Aerial Dreams and Adrenaline also broke records in Sydney and across the world and achieved critical acclaim. In 2010 Simon had five versions of Le Grand Cirque playing concurrently.  In late 2010 Simon joined forces with Australian producer and close friend Tim Lawson and began assembling the greatest magical minds from a wide spectrum of disciplines. His production of The Illusionists has already performed to record breaking crowds in theatres and arenas across the globe including Australia, Mexico, Latin America, South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. In addition to The Illusionists: Witness The Impossible, Simon’s current projects include Le Noir (The Dark Side of Cirque) andIllusionists 2.0, both of which are currently playing extensive international tours. Simon is also due to open a third installment of The Illusionists (The Illusionists 1903) in January 2015.

 

TIM LAWSON, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Tim Lawson is the CEO of TML Enterprises, servicing Australia and international territories with first class musicals and family entertainment with productions spanning across over 100 cities in 20 countries. Australasian theatrical touring credits include Sweet Charity, Buddy – The Musical, Jolson starring Rob Guest, Spirit of the Dance, Oh! What A Night, Fiddler on the Roof starring Topol, It’s A Dad Thing!, Weary – The Life of Sir Edward Dunlop, Shout! The Musical, Brave Men Run In Our Family, Jekyll and Hyde starring Brad Little and The Rocky Horror Show narrated by Richard O’ Brien. Tim’s award winning production of A Chorus Line transferred to the prestigious London Palladium, and his production ofChitty Chitty Bang Bang recently completed a 13 month tour. With partner Simon Painter, credits include Le Grand Cirque, Ariel Dreams, Adrenaline, Le Noir – The Dark Side of Cirque, The Illusionists and The Illusionists 2.0, all enjoying record breaking success and extensive international arena and theatrical touring. The Illusionists 1903 – The Golden Age of Magic premieres in Australia in January 2015. www.tmlenterprises.com 

About Broadway In Chicago

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 14 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country.  A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining well up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Bank of America Theatre, Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.

 About MagicSpace Entertainment

MagicSpace Entertainment is headed by Lee D. Marshall, Joe Marsh, John Ballard, Steve Boulay and Bruce Granath and has been producing and presenting national tours, Broadway shows, concerts and museum exhibits worldwide for over 30 years. Consistently one of the top promoters in North America, MagicSpace Entertainment typically produces and presents more than 250 events in 75 cities per year.  Broadway credits include Donny & Marie – A Broadway Christmas, The Who’s Tommy, American Idiot and RAIN – A Tribute To The Beatles On Broadway.  National tour credits include Lord of the Dance created by Michael Flatley, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage starring in Mythbusters – Behind The Myths, Alton Brown Live, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis, Donny & Marie Christmas, RAIN – A Tribute to the Beatles, David Copperfield, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Chorus Line and concert tours by Janet Jackson, Cher, and Fleetwood Mac to name just a few.  Museum exhibitions produced on the road include the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibition, Titanic: The Exhibition and Diana – A Celebration. MagicSpace Entertainment has offices in Park City and Salt Lake City, UT.  www.magicspace.net

About Road Show Entertainment LLC

Road Show Entertainment LLC (Producer) is an innovative and progressive entertainment company that was formed through the merger of two established media and entertainment companies, Kilburn Media and The Production Office, with a design to operate and grow a new finance and production company in the live entertainment industry.  Road Show’s management team, Mark Manuel and Greg Young, have already achieved great success within their respective industries, namely filmed entertainment and live theatrical shows, respectively. Mark is a top tier Hollywood financier and has grown Kilburn Media into an elite Hollywood based finance and production company. TPO was built on decades of tenacity and ingenuity, offering a trusted boutique of artist management and producing services to the discerning artist. TPO has a longstanding history of producing and managing hits on Broadway, award winning Las Vegas residencies, major music theaters, stadiums, and television which includes live, digitally and streamed filmed distribution. TPO has subsequently built a trusted brand producing Tony Award winning productions as well as representing artists and events with a knowledge base and skill sets acquired from owning, operating and promoting through the most successful venues in America.

About The Production Office

The Production Office (Producer) is a top tier innovative, collaborative artist managing production company in the entertainment industry. Producing partners Greg Young and Atanas Ilitch built TPO on decades of tenacity and ingenuity, offering a trusted boutique of artist management and producing services to the discerning artist. TPO acquires, develops, and exploits entertainment properties with a focus on the artist’s perspective. TPO has a longstanding history of producing and managing hits on Broadway, award winning Las Vegas residencies, major music theaters, stadiums, and television which includes live, digitally and streamed filmed distribution. TPO has subsequently built a trusted brand producing Tony Award winning productions as well as representing artists and events with a knowledge base and skill sets acquired from owning, operating and promoting through the most successful venues in America. TPO is known for taking an entrepreneurial approach for its clients, seamlessly blending their role of personal management services with properties in the live entertainment sector.  TPO strives to embrace the ever-changing dynamic of the music industry while discovering fresh and innovative ways to connect music fans with new artists as well as to reintroduce the prospects for established artists.  TPO has been an active member of the Broadway League since 1997.  TPO is currently bringing Mozart l’Opera Rock to the Broadway stage in 2015.  For other credits, seewww.TheProductionOffice.com