Every Stage Tells a Story: Memorable Venues from a Magician’s Tour
- Marie George
- Aug 22
- 3 min read
No two venues are ever the same. Some are easy, some are challenging, and others leave a lasting impression for reasons both good and bad. Over the years, we’ve performed in theaters, opera houses, cruise ships, and even stadiums—and each stage has shaped a story worth telling.
The Easiest Venues
Right now, our show Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic at Camelback has become one of the smoothest venues we’ve ever worked in. The original load-in took three full days, but now that everything is permanently installed, show prep is as simple as a quick check and we’re ready to go. The end of the night is easy too. Just a few things to clean up and we are out the door.
Cruise ships are similar once you get past the first week. We load the props on board at the start of a contract, set lighting cues, and work with the backstage crew. After that, every show is clockwork: tech at 5 PM, prep props, steam clothes, and be ready for a 7 PM curtain.
Unique Stages
Some theaters stand out for their history and character:
The Moonlight Amphitheatre (Vista, CA) – Founded in 1981, this open-air venue overlooks Brengle Terrace Park. Starting as a concrete slab and hillside, it’s now a lush and beautiful outdoor stage that makes every performance feel like a summer night festival.
Lexington Village Theatre (Lexington, MI) – Hand-built with Victorian architecture, it’s a stunning room but challenging for an illusionist. Limited backstage storage and no easy load-in means everything has to be lifted onto the stage—hard work, but worth it in such a gorgeous space.
Casa Mañana (Fort Worth, TX) – Originally built for the Texas Centennial in 1936, Casa was later reconstructed in 1958 as a fully enclosed aluminum-domed theater. From the outside, it looks like a giant bag of Jiffy Pop. Performing an extended run here was both a joy and an honor.
Prestigious Venues
A few stages carry a weight of history that every performer feels:
The New Victory Theatre (NYC) – The oldest operating theater in New York, built in 1900 by Oscar Hammerstein. On the top of the building at the Paradise Rooftop Gardens is where Houdini performed his famous “walking through a brick wall,” an illusion we perform a version of today.
The Magic Castle (Los Angeles, CA) – Every magician’s dream gig. we’ve performed here several times and it’s always magical—though the schedule is tight, there’s nothing like exchanging stories of the road with fellow magicians backstage.
The Most Challenging Venues
Some theaters bring their own obstacles—literally.
Vilar Performing Arts Center (Beaver Creek, CO) – At 8,080 feet, altitude sickness can hit hard. Just minutes before one show, I got a sudden nosebleed that wouldn’t stop. With tissues stuffed in my nose, I went out and performed the entire show that way. Not glamorous—but the show must go on.
McPherson Opera House (McPherson, KS) – Built in 1889, it required us to load in using a forklift in the alley. Once inside, we also discovered the stage was raked (angled), which meant everything on wheels rolled toward the audience. Performing some illusions proved challenging on that slope!
Final Thoughts
Every venue has its quirks—some make the job easier, others test your limits, and a few etch themselves into your memory forever. For us, that’s part of the magic of touring. The backdrop changes, but the goal stays the same: bring wonder, laughter, and amazement to every stage, no matter how big, small, historic, or unconventional.
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