Liberty Magic Perfects The Art of Slight of Hand
By Olivia Miller
When many of us think of magic, images of rabbits popping out of hats, decks of cards, and people miraculously conscious after getting sawed in half often come to mind. But, this Downtown magic theater has redefined magic and is testing its bounds before Pittsburghers’ very eyes.
Liberty Magic was opened in February 2019 and was, as programming manager Zoe Ruth says, “the brainchild of Vice President of Artistic Planning, Scott Shiller.” A lifelong magic fan, Shiller consulted with local magician, Lee Turbosic, as well as Chicago-based magician, Dennis Watkins, for the best way to present “theatrical plays that utilize magic as a storytelling tool” to the people of Pittsburgh.
The venue is located on the 800 block of Liberty Avenue, where Harry Houdini once performed an upside-down straitjacket stunt in 1916. Houdini’s influence isn’t just out on the street, the eclectic collection of props in the lobby also draw inspiration from the iconic magician. Guests can marvel at the zig-zag and Chinese water torture cell, both of which are used in shows at Liberty Magic.
The theater holds less than 70 audience members, which make it perfect for the parlor, close-up and stand up magic that they are known for. This allows guests to not only see the props up close during the whole show but also to get to know each other. Ruth says the shows foster “a vibe of this small community of people that just happened to gather to create something magical together.” She says that by the end of the show, more than half of the audience will have been on the stage and “skepticism is blown out the window.”
In the 2023 season, Liberty Magic offers a variety of shows which touch on “as many different facets [of magic] as possible.” From now through April 9th, Noah Sonie is charming audiences with his “super fun, young, [and] charismatic” style of mentalism. In May and June, Carissa Hendrix takes the stage with her alter ego Lucy Darling for a “very fun, very character-driven, and a little raunchy” show. Later in the summer, Liberty Magic will feature Jimmy Ichihana’s methodical take on card magic with his integration of mathematical algorithms and science.
In mid to late April, Liberty Magic will revive Jon Tai’s show Road Signs, which Ruth describes as an “immersive theater experience” that is somewhere between a play and a magic show. The show combines storytelling with magic to create a “truly moving show that will absolutely transport you and make you question what you just witnessed.”
To be dazzled by the immersive performances at Liberty Magic, you can find a comprehensive list of their shows and buy tickets on their website.
