Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Media Contact:
Lindsey Neyland, Communications Specialist
neyland@trustarts.org | 412-471-5196
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust celebrates the season with…
THE ILLUSIONISTS – MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS
December 26 – 29, 2019 | Heinz Hall
Tickets on sale now
THE ILLUSIONISTS Production Images
This season, producers Simon Painter, Tim Lawson, and MagicSpace Entertainment are pleased to announce that The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays (www.theillusionistslive.com), an all-new installment of the world-famous, blockbuster touring magic spectacular, will play Pittsburgh’s Heinz Hall from December 26 to December 29 for seven performances during this holiday season.
Tickets are on sale now at TrustArts.org, in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, and by phone at (412) 392-4900.
“The audience response from our record-breaking Broadway run for Magic of the Holidays was incredible,” says producer Simon Painter. “Our cast is performing incredible illusions every night, which is a perfect setting for families to experience and celebrate the holiday together.”
Celebrate the holidays with the entire family at The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays, a mind-blowing showcase featuring jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible illusionists on earth. The Illusionists has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.
The Illusionists previously wowed audiences around the world, including smash hit engagements on Broadway, London’s West End, and on tour around the United States and Canada. This year’s family-friendly show promises even more illusions, close-up magic, mentalism, daring escapes, and technological spectacle performed by master entertainers who’ve captivated audiences worldwide.
In addition to creative producer Simon Painter, the creative team for The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays includes executive producer Tim Lawson.
The Elusive, Valentin Azema
With a French touch, a bit of humor and a limitless passion for the art of magic, you will share with Valentin a one-of-a-kind experience of wonder and mystery.
The Trickster, Darren Partridge, aka Dizzy
Dizzy’s wild combination of magic, physical comedy, and theatrical thievery, delivered with mischievous British charm, leaves his audiences both spellbound and gasping for breath—an experience you will not believe and will never forget.
The Transformationalists, Sos & Victoria
The lightning-fast and world-famous Quick-Change artists, Sos & Victoria, have perfected their modern interpretation of traditional performance art by combining fashion, stage-craft and sleight-of-hand in a display that has dazzled audiences all over the world. Masters of quick couture, this dapper duo are always prepared and dressed to impress. A flick of the wrists, a twist, and a twirl are all it takes for them to transmute their apparel into looks for any occasion. There is only one thing Sos & Victoria don’t ‘quick change’… their ability to be the absolute best at what they do!
The Daredevil, Jonathan Goodwin
British-born Daredevil and Escape Artist Jonathan is widely considered one of the most creative, skilled, and frankly crazy stunt performers in the world; he has been described as “the world’s greatest theatrical daredevil.” Goodwin has been hanged, buried alive, hung by his toes from helicopters, burned at the stake, attacked by sharks, bitten by rattlesnakes, dodged arrows, and climbed under moving cars.
The Manipulator, Florian Sainvet
Born in Bordeaux, France, Florian Sainvet began his career in magic at the age of sixteen, but it was while devouring his favorite science fiction films and universes at his beloved neighborhood cinema that he discovered his true calling as a futuristic manipulator and illusionist.
The Showman, Steve Valentine
In the last 20 years, Steve has appeared in over 250 hours of TV and film, carving out a unique place for himself in show business, constantly changing and morphing into a myriad of wild, quirky, funny, dangerous and always unique characters.
The Delusionist, Stuart MacLeod
A Scottish BAFTA nominee, Stuart MacLeod has created some of the most controversial magic on television, played to sell-out crowds all over the world, and racked up over 100 million views on YouTube.
ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM
SIMON PAINTER (Creative Producer). A visionary creative and entrepreneur, Simon Painter is the most sought-after magic producer in the world. He began his career as a classical violinist, but soon transitioned from performing to producing with massive success. His first show, Le Grand Cirque, premiered at the Sydney Opera House, selling over 40,000 tickets in 10 days. Simon has now been at the forefront of the live entertainment industry for over a decade, having launched and managed major performance venues and produced such acclaimed productions as Cirque Le Noir, Cirque Paris, and Cirque Adrenaline. In collaboration with Tim Lawson, Simon created The Illusionists, which has become the world’s best-selling magic show of all time since its debut in 2012. Along with its sequels, The Illusionists 2.0 - The Next Generation of Magic and The Illusionists - Turn of the Century, the franchise continues to smash records and tour internationally, including four performances on Broadway. Simon was also the creative force behind The Unbelievables, Now You See Me Live, and Circus 1903, which is making a triumphant return to London after a sell-out season at The Southbank Centre earlier this year. He continues to serve as President and Chief Executive Producer for The Works Entertainment, dreaming up ideas for innovative world-class spectacles on a daily basis.
TIM LAWSON (Executive Producer) is VP of The Works Entertainment and CEO of TML Enterprises, servicing over 400 cities and 45 countries with first-class musicals and family entertainment. Theatrical credits include Sweet Charity, Buddy – The Musical, Jolson, Spirit of the Dance, Oh! What A Night, Fiddler on the Roof starring Topol, It’s A Dad Thing!, Shout! The Musical, Jekyll and Hyde, The Rocky Horror Show narrated by Richard O’Brien, the Helpmann Award-winning and London Palladium production of A Chorus Line, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a new production of Fiddler on the Roof with Anthony Warlow, The Wedding Singer and the upcoming tour of A Streetcar Named Desire. Alongside partner Simon Painter for The Works, they have created, produced and presented many brands that play simultaneously and break box office records around the world, including The Illusionists which has broken 4 house records in Broadway and 2 in London; Circus 1903 – The Golden Age of Magic which returns to London later in the year following an extensive international tour; Le Noir; Cirque Adrenaline; Cirque Paris; Now You See Me; and their newest production Stratosphere, which premieres this December at The Sydney Opera House.
MAGICSPACE ENTERTAINMENT (Producer) is headed by Lee D. Marshall, Joe Marsh, John Ballard and Steve Boulay and has been producing and presenting national tours, Broadway shows, concerts and museum exhibits worldwide for over 35 years. Consistently one of the top promoters in the world, MagicSpace Entertainment typically produces and presents more than 350 events worldwide per year. Recent Broadway credits include The Illusionists—Witness the Impossible (Broadway and West End), The Illusionists—Live on Broadway, The Illusionists—Turn of the Century, Donny & Marie: A Broadway Christmas, American Idiot, Rain—A Tribute to the Beatles on Broadway and Alton Brown Live—Eat Your Science on Broadway. National tour credits include The Illusionists—Live From Broadway, A Magical Cirque Christmas, The Bachelor Live on Stage, Lord of the Dance created by Michael Flatley, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage starring in Mythbusters—Unleashed, Alton Brown Live, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis, Donny & Marie Christmas, Rain—A Tribute to the Beatles, The Magic of David Copperfield, Circus 1903—The Golden Age of Circus, Brain Candy Live starring Adam Savage and Michael Stevens, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Chorus Line and national concert tours by Janet Jackson, Cher, and Fleetwood Mac to name just a few. Touring museum exhibitions produced include Jurassic World: The Exhibition, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition, Titanic: The Exhibition, Diana—A Celebration, St. Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes exhibition. MagicSpace Entertainment has an office in Park City, UT. www.magicspace.net
THE WORKS ENTERTAINMENT (Producer), recently acquired by Cirque du Soleil, creates and presents the work of Simon Painter and Tim Lawson across an ever-expanding network of more than 450 cities in 45 countries. Their shows have broken box office records countless times in numerous territories, including Sydney (The Sydney Opera House), Broadway (twice at the Marquis, Neil Simon and Palace Theatres), Mexico (Auditorio Nacional) and London (Shaftesbury Theatre). Their first production, Le Grand Cirque debuted at the Sydney Opera House and became the biggest-selling show at the iconic venue, leading to multiple international productions. Their success was repeated over the following years with Aerial Dreams and Cirque Adrenaline which premiered at the Sydney Opera House and toured internationally. Recognizing the opportunity in the market for a high-quality touring magic show, the company created a production showcasing seven of the world’s best magicians. The Illusionists - Witness the Impossible quickly became the most successful group magic show in the world, with multiple productions playing simultaneously throughout the world and spawning TV specials on ITV UK and NBC. Following this unprecedented success, The Works Entertainment developed two sequels: The Illusionists 2.0 — The Next Generation of Magic and The Illusionists 1903 — Turn of The Century. Their other international touring shows include Le Noir —The Dark Side of Cirque, Cirque Adrenaline, A Magical Cirque Christmas, The Unbelievables, Lionsgate’s Now You See Me and Circus 1903 – The Golden Age of Circus which will return to the Southbank Centre this year.
http://www.theillusionistslive.com/
Follow The Illusionists on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
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ABOUT BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA
Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of The John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com and Group Sales Box Office. Led by 13-time Tony-winning theater producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 44 markets with over 400,000 subscribers. Presentations include Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, The Phantom of the Opera and Hamilton. Current and past productions include The Band’s Visit, Beautiful, Cats, Chicago, Dear Evan Hansen, Hairspray, Mean Girls, The Producers and Waitress. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. For more information please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.
ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh’s most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic revitalization of a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District. The District is one of the country’s largest land masses “curated” by a single nonprofit arts organization. A major catalytic force in the city, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity. Using the arts as an economic catalyst, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh’s quality of life. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts.
TrustArts.org | @CulturalTrust on Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
ABOUT THE PNC FOUNDATION
The PNC Foundation joins the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in bringing the best of Broadway to entertain, enlighten, and complement the rich experiences that add to the region’s exceptional quality of life. The seven season presentations and four specials in the 2018-19 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series contribute to the city’s reputation as a major destination for the arts, culture, and world-class entertainment.
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