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The House Theatre of Chicago Extends THE MAGIC PARLOUR

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The House Theatre of Chicago proudly announces the addition of Sunday matinees to Dennis Watkins' The Magic Parlour, currently scheduled at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe, May 9 - July 31. Regular performances take place Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. with added performances Sundays at 2 p.m.* Tickets are $75 each, which include wine and beer selections, and may be purchased at www.themagicparlour.com, www.thehousetheatre.com or by calling The House Theatre of Chicago Box Office at 773.769.3832. The Magic Parlour is recommended for ages 10 and up and dressy attire is highly recommended.

*NOTE: There are no 2 p.m. performances Sunday, May 17 and Sunday, June 21. There are added 4 p.m. Memorial Day and Father's Day performances May 24 and June 21.

Since moving to the Palmer House on New Year's Eve 2012 and now currently in its third year there, Dennis Watkins' 75-minute show has entertained guests from all over the world looking for an extra-special performance in Chicago. Only 40 seats are available for each performance of this intimate, sophisticated, close-up magic show in one of the hotel's historic private event rooms. Guests gather at Potter's Lounge in the hotel's lobby level and are escorted to the performance space, where they will enjoy mind-blowing magic and mind reading. The audience participates in much of the performance as Watkins wows the room with disappearing decks, swallowed razor blades, unbelievable mentalism and age-old stories passed down from his grandfather. Third-generation magician Dennis Watkins regularly incorporates new pieces of magic into this long-running production, giving returning audiences brand new feats to puzzle over.


Originally created by House Company Member Dennis Watkins for a House Theatre benefit in 2010, The Magic Parlour was so popular that The House produced a sold-out weekly main stage production for 15 months at the Chopin Theatre before moving to the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in 2012. Since its move, The Magic Parlour has played to numerous audiences for more than three years and has enjoyed continuous extensions.

Additionally, The Magic Parlour has hosted several private groups and corporate events, three New Year's Eve events, a special fundraiser for The House Theatre of Chicago in the Empire Room and many special occasions including anniversaries, birthdays, family gatherings and three marriage proposals.


The House Theatre of Chicago has partnered with Dennis Watkins to produce many magical theatrical experiences in its 13-year history. Most notably The House's hit show Death & Harry Houdini (with multiple sold-out runs in Chicago and a production at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, FL), The Magic Parlour, and Watkins' original play, The Magnificents. Having enjoyed two successful Chicago runs, The Magnificents has just played a critically acclaimed run at the Arsht. Watkins and The Magic Parlour return with this expanded schedule following this hit run in Miami.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Sound Design - Top 3
1. Adam Fisher - The Lost Boys
38.8% of votes
2. Tony Gayle - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
12.6% of votes
3. Kai Harada - Ragtime
7.2% of votes

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