[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Magician George Tovar hosts a program of the area’s finest magicians and illusionists with Millennium Magic 2025 – a program of magic and illusion – at Theatre West January 24-26.
Friday, January 24: Charlie Mount, Steve Branham, Mayseo Mays, Derek Ostovani.
Saturday, January 25: Cosmic Romantic, Ice McDonald, Charlie Mount, Chris Hart.
Sunday, January 26: Simone Tarkington, Richard Raven, Migz, Alexander Great.
Established in 1962, Theatre West is celebrating its 62nd year as the longest continually running professional theatre company in the City of Los Angeles. This weekend they are hosting their annual Millennium Magic fundraiser and we had so many questions about this terrific event! It’s so important to support our Los Angeles theatres and what better way than to attend a magic show with some of the world’s best magicians?
Millennium Magic is such a wonderful fundraising event! How did your annual show Millennium Magic find a home at Theatre West?
Millennium Magic was started in 1999 by George Tovar, a long-time member of Theatre West and The Magic Castle. He is an incredible actor and a fantastic magician who works all over the city and cruise ships, including the World Famous Magic Castle. He created a fundraiser for Theatre West by inviting professional world-class magicians to volunteer their time to come and put on a show. Audiences loved it so much that it became an annual fundraising event. In 2003, George was cast in a play that went on tour, and he left L.A. for a few years. Jeanine Anderson was approached to take over producing the fundraiser. She is also a Magic Castle member and a member of Theatre West, as well as a children’s magician. When George returned to L.A. and Theatre West, they agreed to co-produce and co-host.
Magic shows are sadly absent from traditional theatre, Theatre West hosts cabaret-style shows too, how does Magic and cabaret fit into your aesthetic?
Magic shows are absent from traditional theatre, which is understandable since it is not traditional theatre with a storyline, beginning, middle, and end. However, it is a spectacle, a show, and each magician has his/her own storyline and style. Some have a funny edge to their performance with a lot of humor, some even self-deprecating. It’s like watching a stand-up comedian do magic, yet others are more mysterious. And then there can also be an element of danger in some. It all belongs on stage in a theatre because it is very theatrical and so entertaining. Audiences love it.
How did you select the magicians for the show?
George Tovar, the creator of Millenium Magic, finds all the magicians. However, this year, Jeanine Anderson secured one of the acts.
This is a fundraiser for the theatre, how important is it to keep local theatres alive?
This is a difficult time for small, intimate theatres like Theatre West. We have been around now going into our 63rd year. We are the longest continually running theatre in Los Angeles, which is a big deal. But it’s not always easy to keep going. It requires a lot of work on the part of all of our members, but more importantly, it requires a lot of money to keep the doors open. We are a 501 (c) 3 and rely on donations, grants, and fundraisers. We understand that there are so many places and causes one can donate to, especially in this most difficult time in Los Angeles with the catastrophic fires. We are all scrambling to help and donate as much as possible by collecting all kinds of things that are needed and doing regular drop-offs. I hope people will continue to see the importance of landmark arts institutions like Theatre West and come out to support us by attending one of our shows so we can continue to do what we do in bringing world-class theatre to audiences, whether for shows for adults or small children and schools with our Storybook Theatre.
We are pleased to say that we are giving out free tickets to first responders and their immediate families. The tickets are limited to four per person, but they can reach out if they have one or two more family members, and we will accommodate them. It is the least we can do for the brave women and men who risk their lives for us.
I’ve always considered Los Angeles to be full of magic – the city, the people, the lifestyle. After the fires we need this more than ever I think and I see that you are giving free tickets to first responders and their families, which is wonderful. How have the fires affected the theatre community and Theatre West?
The fires have affected all of us. None more than the people who lost everything: homes, businesses, jobs, and even their lives. It’s all so emotional, raw, and tragic. I know 23 people who have lost everything. I just hope that in all of the immense sadness and loss, we don’t forget about our small artistic institutions. At a time like this, small theatres become collateral damage from the fires. We do hope that people will continue to come out to see shows and support us. We have survived through so many tragic times in LA, including earthquakes and a pandemic. We hope to keep on going so we can continue to bring smiles to people’s faces even in the darkest of times.
Could you give us a little more background on the magicians and illusionists taking part in the show?
The magicians are all award winning and have performed on television, cruises, private events, and The World Famous Magic Castle.
• Friday, Jan. 24 at 8 PM: Charlie Mount, Steve Branham, Derek Ostovanti, and Tom Ogden
• Saturday, Jan. 25 at 8 PM: Charlie Mount, Ice McDonald, Chris Hart, and Cosmic Romantics
• Sunday, Jan. 26 at 2 PM: Simone Turkington, Alexander Great, Miguel Rangel (Migz), and Richard Raven
Is there anything else that you would like to about the show and Theatre West?
We have many exciting things coming up next at Theatre West, including the world premiere of WATERMARKS, written by Abbott Alexander. WATERMARKS. A Fugue. Set inside the most famous gift card shop in the world, a manager competes with his only customer over what is and is not.
THE GALAXY OF PHIL HENDRIE. In THE GALAXY OF PHIL HENDRIE introduces us to four interesting characters floating around somewhere between his brain and outer space who will unburden themselves while navigating life’s rocky roads. – Last September, fellow Theater West member and radio personality Phil Hendrie was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, every Saturday at 1 pm. Storybook Theatre has been entertaining children and their families for 40 years. We are very proud of all of our Storybook shows. For many children, these shows are the first experience of seeing a live show.
MY UTERUS, A WOMB WITH A VIEW, by Dina Morrone, returns to Theatre West with two performances in March during Women’s History Month. Dina digs deep into her pelvic cavity to explore what the Uterus really is, what it means to own one and to probe and examine how it continues to get screwed over again and again by those who have no business being in there.
There is so much more to see on our stage, so please take a look at our website www.theatrewest.org
Lastly, to give to Theatre West, please visit us at www.theatrewest.org and click on DONATE or click on the image and link givebutter.com for our 2025 Light Our Stage!
Where:
Theatre West
3333 Cahuenga Blvd W, Los Angeles
When:
January 24-26
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.