The Illusionists-Turn of the Century (2016) NYC Reviews and Tickets

74%

(74 Reviews)

Positive

78%

Mixed

14%

Negative

Members say

Entertaining, Clever, Funny, Absorbing, Masterful

About the Show

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.

Member Reviews (74)

Entertaining, Clever, Surprising

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.

Entertaining, Fun

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.

Cliched, Tacky, Dated, Dull

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.

Clever, Enchanting, Entertaining, Masterful, Riveting

See it if IF YOU LOVE MAGIC AND CONJURING!

Don't see it if IF YOU WANT A SHOW WITH A CLASSICALLY TOLD STORY

Banal, Confusing, Slow, Disappointing, Excruciating

See it if You are a magic fan, and will enjoy most traditional magic shows.

Don't see it if You are not already a fan of magicians. This will not make one out of you. Read more

Dated, Fluffy, Overrated

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.

Absorbing, Clever, Entertaining

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.

Enchanting, Entertaining, Great staging, Masterful, Riveting

See it if you like magic shows..

Don't see it if you don't like magic shows.

Critic Reviews (7)

"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."
Read more

"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."
Read more

"'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."
Read more

"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."
Read more

"‘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."
Read more

"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."
Read more

"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."
Read more