Just An Illusion

Jeff had the hookup, and got us all into the Magic Castle on Friday night.

Yup, that big, mysterious Victorian house on the hill next to Yamashiro's. I'd been curious for years -- was it some sort of secret society of magicians? What's behind the "members only" policy? If Doug Henning had ditched the frontless shirts, would his career have survived?

I'm not even a magic enthusiast. Don't mind it, but haven't really paid much attention to it. Other than watching the occassional David Copperfield special growing up (still don't know how he made the Statue of Liberty disappear. Oh yeah, "illusion!") and being creeped out by David Blaine, it's a mystery to me.

Jeff, on the other hand, was an amateur magician himself. He and Jess have hit the Magic Castle quite a few times. They graciously invited us along last Friday (you must either be a member or an invited guest to enter), so Maria and I checked it out.

After the $15 entrance fee, you have a choice between shows in one of several theaters. The main shows take place in the "Palace of Mystery," but there are also shows at "The Parlour of Prestidigitation" and "The Close-Up Theater" (a small, 20-seat theater that allows the audience to witness card tricks and slights of hand up-close).

We arrived late and missed several early shows, but we had an 8 p.m. dinner reservation -- so we hit the Dining Rooms first. Maria and I both tried the veggie lasagna ($17), which was nothing special, but the portions were large -- neither of us could finish.

Following dinner, the group headed to the Palace of Mystery for the main show. MCed by a magician/comedian from Oklahoma (whose name escapes me). He called on several audience members -- including former KNBC and KCOP anchor Rick Chambers (now a reporter at KCBS/KCAL), who I suppose decided to hit the Magic Castle rather than catch an opening weekend showing of "Anchorman." (Hits too close to home.)

Three magicians followed -- one who was surprisingly good, despite relying on tried-and-true "whoa! There's a dove up my sleeve!" and "watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat" style tricks. Another branded himself the dancing magician, and boogied to Tom Jones and Frank Sinatra while pulling scarves out of his pockets (and mouth).

Shows last all evening, but you have to plan your schedule. After the Palace of Mystery show, we headed downstairs to the Close-Up Theater and waited for the 11:30 p.m. show (with the theaters so small, you frequently find yourself waiting for a seat). Show was best of the night; I was called up at one point as, yes, comic relief. The illusionist stuck two cards in my hand -- a jack of spades and nine of clubs, or something to that effect. Before I knew it, I was holding an ace of hearts and an ace of diamonds. How/when did he switch the cards? He's good.

The Magic Castle gets off on the spooky reputation of magic; the downstairs bar is straight out of the Addams Family mansion, and to enter the building, a bookcase of fake tombs only opens after you recite the words "open sesame" into a wooden owl. There's also Irma, the "invisible pianist," who entertains another lounge. Large posters of magicians like Blackstone (and young shots of Siegfried and Roy) grace the walls.

The private Academy of Magical Arts took over the Victorian mansion -- built in 1908 -- about 30 years ago, according to the Magic Castle's official website.