The Illusionists-Turn of the Century
Featuring world-class illusionists handpicked from across the globe, 'The Illusionists' returns to Broadway with a brand-new show designed to transport audiences back to the golden age of magic.
'The Illusionists-Turn of the Century' is set in an era when conjurers were the rock stars of the day. Showcasing the origins of some of the greatest and most dangerous illusions ever created, the show also unveils never-before-seen experiments drawn from a treasure trove of long-forgotten mysteries. Featuring The Clairvoyants of 'America's Got Talent' fame.
- Official Site
- View Trailer
- 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Already closed
- Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (Midtown W)
Cast & Creatives (12)
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Reviews (74)
7 Critics' Reviews
"'Turn of the Century' is indeed styled as an evening of old-fashioned vaudeville acts, with each performer possessing a fun, individual style...'The Illusionists' are all accomplished pros who have been working at their craft for years and their magical antics are sure to delight the kids and baffle the adults." Full Review
"A bigger and kitschier enterprise, but still a less grandiose occasion than the first two seasons of this ensemble evening...Most of the evening’s bright spots were quieter, less bedazzled affairs...While the illusions were uniformly expert, several of the performers had a stilted, somewhat formal stage presence...That’s the thing about magic. Even when it’s performed with something less than perfect flair or fluency, even when we know it to be entirely fake, it accesses fantasies we all have." Full Review
"Feels like an attempt to spin overly familiar acts as vintage classics...These are pros who travel the world, but the Palace hasn’t been a vaudeville house since 1929...Neil Dorward’s production sits awkwardly in the space...Goodwin makes a point of saying he’s not an illusionist, and that everything he does is real, but even he doesn't have the magical power to make the 150 minutes go faster." Full Review
"‘The Illusionists’ does not pretend to be anything other than what it is: an invitation into a land where you can spend a lot of time figuring things out, or you can do the smart thing and go along with everything…There is juggling (a bit too much) combined with card tricks…This is a holiday treasure. Bring the kids – or bring an adult like me for whom magic is a necessary ingredient to the daily details of life. Settle in, and let yourself be A-M-A-Z-E-D." Full Review
"The third installment offers its fair show of 'Hey, how’d they do that?' wonders. It also boasts a vintage Vaudeville vibe. The evening is a buffet: Dana Daniels combines comedy and card tricks — and a parrot; Charlie Frye juggles at warp speed; Jonathan Goodwin is a stud who doesn’t get impaled when he lounges on one; Justo Thaus pulls the strings on a marionette magician...Each act is polished and professional but the show lacks pizzazz. Time disappears slowly during it." Full Review
"I was truly stunned not by their tricks, but by the amount of selflessness I saw onstage...I gave over to the magic; I believed—which is more than I can say about traditional Broadway hits...In a setting that perhaps requires the most whimsy and belief, this belief factor came easily. As for the individual 'illusionists,' their range of talent has a treat in store for any viewer, young or old." Full Review
"Noteworthy for its historical value if nothing else...The acts are hit and miss...The show stays true to the nostalgic intent by not overloading us with too many special effects, so one really gets the feeling of seeing a variety show circa 1903...While other editions mostly featured male illusionists, we have wonderful female performers here, too...Is the show groundbreaking or original? Hardly. However, as a Broadway history lesson on outdated gimmickry, it never fails to entertain." Full Review
67 Members' Reviews
See it if you believe in magic and like being dazzled,amazed and surprised.
Don't see it if you are a skeptic and cannot suspend disbelief.
See it if you like magic shows.
Don't see it if you're expecting a plot and story. It's just a magic show.
See it if you enjoy magic.
Don't see it if you want original acts, many "classic" tricks and weak writing.
See it if You enjoy magic in all its forms - the clairvoyants and the marionette were my favorite acts.
Don't see it if You don't like shows with audience participation or lots of children.
See it if You like magic shows or still can be childlike in wondering "how they do that", if you want a nice night out esp a family night.
Don't see it if You expect the grandiose atmosphere of Vegas, if you are one to tear the illusions apart, if you can't just enjoy it for its own sake.
See it if You like magic; you don't mind hokey old-timey patter between your illusions; you like comical magic; you want to figure out how they did it
Don't see it if You don't like old classic routines; you don't want to suspend your disbelief briefly.
Also There were multiple acts and some were more interesting to me than oth... Read more Read less
See it if It's a magic show albeit one done with great pizzaz and a fast pace that never gets boring. Surprisingly entertaining.
Don't see it if You want real theater. This is entertainment.
See it if You enjoy magic shows & magicians. Good for tourists who don't want to see a traditional play or musical.
Don't see it if You are looking to see real theater. It's entertaining for what it is but is more suited for Vegas.
See it if you get a free ticket. If you have kids to entertain. If you never saw a magic trick in your life. All acts are old and dated.
Don't see it if if you want to see an ispiring, fresh show. This one is a collection of dated magic tricks. No fresh ideas or unexpected acts. Boring.
See it if IF YOU LOVE MAGIC AND CONJURING!
Don't see it if IF YOU WANT A SHOW WITH A CLASSICALLY TOLD STORY
See it if If you're into a more dark magic stage show with little to no speaking rather than a play or musical with characters/emotion;
Don't see it if If you're looking for something that moves or is uplifting (not literally);
See it if you like magic. This is a Vegas-like magic show, but it feels out of place on Broadway. It's neat and entertaining, but it's far from great.
Don't see it if you hate magic, hate gimmicks, hate shows that feel like they have no place on Broadway (or even in NYC for that matter), or hate fun.
See it if You love illusionists in general. You want to be blown away and entertained.
Don't see it if You only enjoy shows with story and plot.
See it if you're looking for a decent length of show for your money and you want a relaxed, no-brain kind of entertainment for the evening
Don't see it if you're looking for particularly innovative or new illusions that you haven't seen before
See it if You enjoy different types of illusions and magical tricks
Don't see it if You want a play with a storyline or you dislike magic
See it if you want to see magicians on broadway
Don't see it if you want something more than this
See it if you like magic shows..
Don't see it if you don't like magic shows.
See it if you love those mind boggling illusions that you have seen done many times, in many different ways by charming illusionists vaudeville style.
Don't see it if you are wanting never before seen amazing illusions that leave you spellbound & you don't want to deal with the worst mannered adults.
See it if You think Illusions and magic with a humorous touch are right up your alley, and you don't mind an evening of theater without story lines.
Don't see it if You have come to Broadway for a musical or drama, and need to see a story portrayed in order to to fully enjoy a theatrical experience.
See it if You have children who may be entertained by this silliness...and you enjoy very old fashioned Illusions with A LOT of Posing!!!
Don't see it if If you can get tickets to a more entertaining Show!
See it if Nothing new here; you've seen every tired trick before, presented as a series of acts å la vaudeville. I was embarrassed to be there.
Don't see it if You're looking for cutting edge, unique magic and illusions; this was standard and cliché. Very touristy. Not worth Broadway prices.
See it if you like wasting money on a mediocre evening of "magic". To be fair, act 2 may have been extraordinary... I wasn't there.
Don't see it if you value your entertainment dollars. Really?...card "tricks"?...on a Broadway stage?
Also Plus they should be sued for false advertising about going back to a g... Read more Read less
See it if you like traditional magic shows with an ensemble of talented magicians and side show acts. Looking for a child friendly experience.
Don't see it if you are expecting large stage magic similar to that of Las Vegas acts like Penn and Teller or David Copperfield - It lacks Broadway luster.
See it if Family show! If you are a magic fan, it's great!!
Don't see it if If you saw americas got talent you have seen most of the show! I'm a huge fan or the clairvoyants, they everything from the agt.