This past Friday, I went to see The Magic Play at Portland Center Stage, running through April 1. The Magic Play follows a young magician (performed by actual actor/magician/illusionist Brett Schneider – this role was written for him) trying to get through a live show just hours after his partner (actor Sean Parris) has left him. As the performance progresses, he confronts the fact that the tricks of his trade don’t serve him as well when it comes to building truthful relationships. You the audience bear witness not just to a dozen demonstrations of magic throughout the show, but also the effects of a heartbreaking love story.
Brett Schneider as The Magician in The Magic Play at Portland Center Stage at The Armory.
Photo by Patrick Weishampel/blankeye.tv courtesy of Portland Center Stage at The Armory. Script By Andrew Hinderaker Directed by Halena Kays
The play is different every night because there are multiple points where audience participation is called for that can affect the energy of the show and the ending. Here’s a bit of a hint/sneak peak of a scene early on that shows a bit of the magic of Brent’s prowess with cards while simultaneously interacting with an audience volunteer and telling a story and acting the emotional connection with his fellow actor/partner character.
A scene from THE MAGIC PLAY — Special Sneak Peak from Portland Center Stage on Vimeo.
So as you can see, you are getting two shows in one with The Magic Play – a magic show and a theater performance. As the ex-partner, actor Sean Parris brings electrifying energy every time he appears. It’s not easy being the motivation and a foil to such a dominant character by Brent, who literally does magic and engages with the audience directly. But Sean rises to the occasion in embodying a charismatic man who can meet the banter of a professional showman and also has a magnetic presence himself. Brent Schneider is an amazing performer as well, juggling magic and establishing unscripted rapport with audience participants while also playing a character telling us a story, and he exquisitely balances showing confidence and vulnerability.
L-R: Sean Parris as The Diver and Brett Schneider as The Magician in The Magic Play at Portland Center Stage at The Armory.
Photo by Patrick Weishampel/blankeye.tv courtesy of Portland Center Stage at The Armory. Script By Andrew Hinderaker Directed by Halena Kays
There’s definitely magic on stage beyond the sleight of hand. Somehow, even as the entire storyline of this production hinges on questioning the authenticity of relationships, both personally between these lovers and professionally from showman to audience, and the consequences of well intentioned but planned deception required of magic both on stage and off… we all end up finding a way to believe in him. There is an emotional impact that is palpable as we follow the beginning and end of the relationship, and how the fallout also changes the relationship of magician to audience and the magic that can happen by trusting and giving up your control to allow agency in others.
Brett Schneider as The Magician in The Magic Play at Portland Center Stage at The Armory.
Photo by Patrick Weishampel/blankeye.tv courtesy of Portland Center Stage at The Armory. Script By Andrew Hinderaker Directed by Halena Kays
One tip – the cocktails are themed for the show as always, and were a huge draw so go early to the Armory Bar if you can to beat the line. You can also pre-order your cocktail for the intermission.
Consider a pre show dinner at nearby Bluehour – allow at least 2 hours of dining, and for March they are participating in Portland Dining Month. They have a special menu of 3 courses for $33 that allow you two options for every course – and bonus they present you with a fun complimentary Amuse Bouche to start the meal!
If you are attending a Friday or Saturday performance, continue the date night if you’d like with live jazz at nearby Bluehour from 9-11 pm.
The Magic Play performances are scheduled until April 1 on the US Bank Main Stage on Evenings: Tuesday – Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Matinees: Saturday and Sundays at 2 p.m., Thursdays at noon. Run Time is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, including one intermission.
Sounds like an intriguing premise for this show. Sort of like a “play within a play” of sorts. The food looked good, too!
I like the idea of getting two shows in one with this play! And the pics from Blue Hour look delicious – I haven’t been there in so long but it might be a great time to go back with Portland Dining Month!
This sounds like something i would greatly enjoy! Magic itself sets a certain intimate tone, and offers a powerful vehicle for exploring themes like deception and authenticity.