Dennis Watkins News

The Goodman Theatre has revealed its 2024/25 season! See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Northlight Theatre is continuing its 2023–2024 season with the rolling world premiere of Brooklyn Laundry by John Patrick Shanley. See performance dates and learn how to purchase tickets.

After a decades-long career leading executive operations for one of America’s flagship theaters, Roche Edward Schulfer will step down as Goodman Theatre’s Executive Director/CEO at the completion of the 2023/2024 Season.

More magic in 2024! Critical and popular acclaim for third-generation magician Dennis Watkins, following the opening of his famed The Magic Parlour at 50 W. Randolph, spur an extended calendar of additional performances into late spring 2024.

If you like good old-fashioned magic, sleight of hand, and mind-reading tricks, Dennis Watkins’s THE MAGIC PARLOUR is the ticket. Watkins has been performing his one-man show since 2011, and it’s newly arrived in the former Petterino’s reception space, which has been transformed into the titular magic parlor. Watkins is a master at his craft — the magic tricks themselves, of course, but also at entertaining audiences. He’s a real performer; evidently he’s had plenty of time to hone his act, but he also understands how to charm in a way that’s warm and inviting (even if the bits are well rehearsed). I think that’s in many ways the great feat of THE MAGIC PARLOUR; what’s a magician without charm up his sleeve?

The House Theatre of Chicago will launch its 20th Anniversary Season with an all-new wintertime tradition, a boldly reimagined staging of Hans Christian Anderson’s beloved fable, The Snow Queen, November 17-January 2 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago.

The House Theatre of Chicago announces its 20th Anniversary Season, “The House Reimagined” with live productions taking place at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St, and all new digital content being presented online.

The League of Chicago Theatres announces the long-awaited reopening of the robust Chicago theatre industry.

Third-generation magician Dennis Watkins recently announced his popular virtual offering, “The Magic Parlour at Home,” will continue its run through February 27, 2021.

The House Theatre of Chicago offers a watch-party-style viewing of their break-out hit, The Terrible Tragedy of Peter Pan, recorded in 2002 at the Viaduct Theatre on The House's YouTube Channel, youtube.com/user/housetheatreofchi on Saturday, April 4 at 7:30 PM.

The House Theatre of Chicago announces its productions for the 18th season. The 2019 - 2020 Season will include the 10th anniversary production of The House's original ballet-free production of The Nutcracker, November 7 - December 29; the world-premiere of Brett Neveu's Verboten, January 16 - March 8, 2020; Shakespeare's Henry V, directed by The House's Artistic Director Nathan Allen, March 19 - May 10, 2020. The Magic Parlour, featuring magician Dennis Watkins, will continue its open run at The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel.

The English adaptation of Jean-Pierre Hadida (Author, Composer & Book) and Alicia Sebrien's (Book) new musical MADIBA THE MUSICAL shares the story of Nelson Mandela's achievements and impact through a captivating blend of music, dance and drawing

Chicago's top magician and mentalist, Dennis Watkins, will perform his original adaptation of magic's most intriguing spiritual mystery, The Spirit Cabinet, and more in a one-night-only event at The Palmer House on Friday, October 26 to celebrate National Magic Week.

Energetic and compelling new stage show MADIBA the Musical - a Celebration of the Life of Nelson Mandela will play in Adelaide from 17 to 20 January in the Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre. Tickets will go on sale from 25 July through Ticketek.

Following an extensive international search, creators of the compelling new stage show MADIBA The Musical, today announced Perci Moeketsi will play the role of Nelson Mandela.

The creators of inspiring and energetic new stage show MADIBA The Musical - A Celebration of the Life of Nelson Mandela, have announced cast members for the show's upcoming premiere Australian season

The House Theatre of Chicago announces its 17th season of creating "Amazing Feats of Storytelling" with productions taking place at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. The 2018 - 19 Season features three world premiere titles, and two returning audience favorites, creating a diverse slate of epic stories and stagecraft.  The season opens with a brand-new work written by guest artist Bennett Fisher, and helmed by guest artist Monty Cole. Borealis is a brother/sister adventure story offering a heartfelt look at the way we fail each other by building narratives to support our pre-existing worldviews. Borealis plays at the Chopin August 30 to October 21. In the spring, The House will premiere Pinocchio adapted for the stage by Company Members Joseph Steakely and Ben Lobpries, and directed by Company Member Chris Mathews. Pinocchio's wish to become a 'real boy' invites us to reconsider definitions of identity. Pinocchio plays at the Chopin from March 28 to May 19, 2019. 

The House Theatre of Chicago announces its 17th season of creating "Amazing Feats of Storytelling" with productions taking place at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. The 2018 - 19 Season features three world premiere titles, and two returning audience favorites, creating a diverse slate of epic stories and stagecraft.  The season opens with a brand-new work written by guest artist Bennett Fisher, and helmed by guest artist Monty Cole. Borealis is a brother/sister adventure story offering a heartfelt look at the way we fail each other by building narratives to support our pre-existing worldviews.

The House Theatre of Chicago announces the return of Dennis Watkins in The Magic Parlour, at the Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, 17 E. Monroe, for an open run.

The House Theatre of Chicago proudly announces the appearance of third-generation magician Dennis Watkins on the nationally televised broadcast of Penn & Teller: Fool Us!, airing on The CW Network. Watkins' episode is scheduled to air Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. (CST). The Chicago-based magician travels regularly, entertaining clients across the country, and performs The House's long-running hit, The Magic Parlour, at the Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, 17 E. Monroe, in an open run of five shows weekly.