Fresh off a popular New York City run that launched at the legendary Carnegie Hall, internationally renowned magician Joshua Jay returns to the Rhapsody Theater with Look Closer, April 4 - 28. Look Closer follows Jay’s acclaimed show Six Impossible Things, which debuted off-Broadway and ran for more than four extensions and two years. In his latest show of magic and sleight-of-hand, Jay turns the concept of misdirection on its head. Whereas in most magic shows the magician diverts your attention, in Look Closer, audiences are invited to look very, very closely, as the shapes of the tricks change the more one focuses on them.
“This show goes against everything magicians have touted for centuries,” said Jay. “Instead of misdirecting your attention, I encourage you to look closer. I want you to see my favorite thing about magic, the beautiful details, that are only noticed when viewed through the layers of deception, the mysteries embedded within the mysteries. Each piece has been carefully crafted so that the more you think about it, the more the shape of the trick changes.”
In addition to his highly praised Stage show Joshua will perform an intimate close-up show for up to 16 people after his shows on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturday matinees. VIP tickets include access to this exclusive event while other ticket holders can add on the experience for $20. Add-on tickets also come with one free drink ticket.
“Josh’s original run of Look Closer, which Rhapsody Theater produced last year, was a unique and fresh take on what a magic show can be. We are thrilled to have Josh back for an updated version of this show that subverts audience expectations while leaving them in utter disbelief. With our intimate performance space, and state of the art technology, the Rhapsody Theater is the perfect venue for audiences to Look Closer at Josh’s mind-bending tricks,” added Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD, Rhapsody Theater LLC managing partner and resident performer, the Physician Magician.
More about Joshua Jay
Joshua Jay is an internationally recognized performer, author, and lecturer. He has performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with James Corden, and on Penn & Teller’s Fool Us…where he did, indeed, fool Penn & Teller. He has performed in over a hundred countries, and wrote and starred in Six Impossible Things, an acclaimed immersive magic show that ran in New York City for over two years. In 2020 the Society of American Magicians named Jay “Magician of the Year” for his contributions to the art of magic. Jay is the author of six books on magic, including The New York Times best-selling children’s book Big Magic for Little Hands, and most recently, How Magicians Think. Of this title, David Copperfield said, “Joshua Jay is a superb, innovative conjurer with an unrelenting love of the art. This book is proof of that passion.” Jay has designed illusions for stage and screen, including work for Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire. He was tapped to help the US Postal Service design their stamp series, “The Art of Magic.”
In addition to Jay, upcoming headliner talent at The Rhapsody Theater includes Shuffled with British magician Andi Gladwin in which audience members are invited to bring their own decks of cards to be used by Gladwin for his tricks during the show, March 14-24; and Ridiculous! with David Williamson, an evening of relentless laughter, mind-bending tricks, and a dash of anarchy, May 17-June 30. PLUS, returning as resident artists with weekly performances are Chicago’s own Physician Magician, Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD showcasing never-before-seen illusions that dramatically illustrate the connection between medicine and magic, while Ross Johnson returns with his jaw dropping mind reading show, A funny thing happened… tomorrow! Visit www.rhapsodytheater.com for more information on all upcoming performances.
Performance schedule & tickets
Look Closer with Joshua Jay will be performed at The Rhapsody Theater April 4 – April 28: Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays at 7:30 PM; and Saturdays at 2:00 PM, 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM. The run time is approximately 75 minutes with no intermission.
Tickets for Look Closer with Joshua Jay, starting at $30.00, are now on sale, online at https://rhapsodytheater.com/ or at The Rhapsody Theater box office. $75.00 VIP tickets include front row seats to the main show, and access to the exclusive post-show close-up performance with Jay during Thursday and Friday evening shows and Saturday matinees.
About The Rhapsody Theater
Built in 1912 as the Morse Theater, this destination at 1328 W. Morse Avenue has long-been a source of arts and entertainment (formerly operating as the Co-Ed Theater and the Mayne Stage). Since its reopening in 2022 by Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD and Chicago’s own Physician Magician, The Rhapsody Theater has brought a fresh, magical experience to Rogers Park. This includes a newly developed, full-service restaurant and three bars throughout providing a welcoming spot for both patrons and community members to enjoy year-round. The multi-faceted theater is perfectly primed for its world-class performances. With state-of-the-art acoustics and versatile seating arrangements, the space allows for enhanced, intimate and large format experiences. In addition to magic arts talent, The Rhapsody Theater also presents cabaret and other live music concert programming.
The Rhapsody Theater is conveniently located steps away from the Morse Red line ‘El’ station in Rogers Park. Complimentary parking is available in an adjacent lot (subject to availability) in addition to plentiful nearby street parking.
For more information about The Rhapsody Theater or to purchase tickets, please visit https://rhapsodytheater.com/