All seven reviews of Champions of Magic that I was aware of highly recommended it. If you’re looking for something to take your pre-teen grandchildren to, then go for it. They’ll probably have a great time, based on the enthusiasm of the kids when I attended, though I can’t personally relate based upon my youth.

As adult entertainment, unless you’re been living in a monastery your whole life, I would pass.

To be fair, there may have been awe-inspiring things in the second act, but I left at intermission, as did the two adults sitting next to me, having seen nothing I hadn’t seen before, and nothing that made these versions of old tricks stand out, not that I’m suggesting that I know how every illusion was done or that the craftsmanship was missing.

What often separates magicians is the quality of their banter, There was some decent back and forth between the performers and with the audience, and there was mild humor, all very professional, but, again, nothing memorable. The closest I came to excitement was when I almost got hit in the eye by a ping pong ball that was among the dozens launched from the stage.

Even the “death-defying” escape from a straightjacket was no match for the very old Penn and Teller version, which, though on the surface less dangerous than when performed in the manner done in Champions (a bear trap was involved), was far more entertaining.

If the regular magic shows around town aren’t enough for you, perhaps delay a trip to the Studebaker until Lucy Darling appears there in late September.  Past experience tells me that she’s a hoot.