An award-winning theatre producer and Brown Harris Stevens agent,George DeMarco is no stranger to the Great White Way. When not mounting his own shows, he makes a point to explore the NYC theatre scene and experience all the talent Broadway and Off-Broadway productions have to offer.
Steve Cohen's Chamber Magic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfoxe74h6tg
If you want a truly special one of a kind NY entertainment experience, then have I got the event for you! Steve Cohen’s Chamber Magic show has been running on weekends for years, first at the Waldorf Astoria, and now at the stunningly beautiful Lotte NY Palace. This is a very exclusive event—cocktail attire required—limited to 64 guests in a private parlor on Friday or Saturday nights. I have seen the show twice in the last 7 years, and each time I have been amazed by master magician Cohen’s close-up magic, much of which he performs with audience participation.
The first time I attended, I was chosen to stand by his side in front of a small end table to witness, examine and lift a fedora that covered a coin only to be magically replaced with a solid brick. He was just getting warmed up. I could go on and on about each trick but I don’t want to spoil the endless surprises. You will not want the 90 minute show to end.
Steve Cohen is not just a magician, but also an outstanding entertainer/comedian improvising humorous remarks about various audience members. I went with a friend and asked him when the show was over if his parents would enjoy the show and his response was, “who wouldn’t enjoy that?” I have to agree this is one evening which never disappoints.
Get tickets to Chamber Magic here
Kimberly Akimbo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj2XAKRIG74
Kimberly Akimbo is the Broadway Musical that started at the Atlantic Theater Company in the fall/winter of 2022. It has since become a hot ticket, selling out much of its run.
Based on the Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright’s David Lindsay-Abaire’s work of the same name, this musical was hailed by the NY Times as the best new musical of 2021. Fast forward one year, and it landed at the Booth Theater where I finally caught this charming, smart, heartwarming gem of a show.
A pitch-perfect cast led by the infinitely interesting and always honest performance of Victoria Clark (Tony Winner for "Light in the Piazza"), this show tells the story of Kim (Ms. Clark) 72, a NJ teen who has an aging disease that makes her age about seven years for each regular year. She is nevertheless the bright, cheery, optimistic protagonist as she maneuvers family secrets, mental health issues, and potential felony charges.
The music, by Tony Award-winner Jeanine Tesori has, in my opinion created one of her best scores, and the lyrics by playwright Abaire are smart, funny, and deeply moving.
The small ensemble is huge on talent and energy and perfectly rounds out a quirky cast of characters who will keep you entertained throughout. With the heartfelt message to follow your dreams because life is not a dress rehearsal, I found this show to be a winner from start to finish.
