June 25, 2005 review of Chamber Magic^®

Originally published on the Genii Magazine online forum for magicians.

By Dustin Stinett

Have you ever wondered what it must have been like to attend an evening of conjuring in Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser’s intimate salon? While I doubt Steve Cohen would ever compare his own performances to that of Hofzinser’s (and we will never know precisely what that experience was like), “Chamber Magic” certainly must have a similar quality: At the very least, it is one of the closest entertainments available today that hails back to those genteel times, when people had no other option but to leave their homes, or invite performers into them, to enjoy an evening of escapism.

Last night, in an elegant salon at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, I, along with about forty other members of polite society, had the opportunity to enjoy an hour and a half of escapism with Steve Cohen, the “Millionaires’ Magician,” during a performance of “Chamber Magic: A Demonstration of Modern Conjuring.” It was an experience that I would highly recommend to anyone.

Normally, the opportunity for that experience is found at the world famous Waldorf Towers at the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan. But as luck has it, Mr. Cohen may be coming to a city near you. He is currently on a book signing tour (for his new effort, Win the Crowd, HarperResource, 2005) and is using that opportunity to take “Chamber Magic” on the road as well. He will be in San Francisco this weekend, followed by Houston and New Orleans. More cities will be added, so keep an eye on his site to see if he lands in a city near you (it’s very well worth a long drive if need be). Here is a link to the “Chamber Magic” site.

The show itself is a masterly crafted mix of magic and mentalism. Steve Cohen’s youthful good looks belie the (apparent) worldly experience he brings to his performance, and though that youthful appearance offers this contradiction, the power of his charisma sweeps his audience along and makes them instant believers.

As a magician, you are likely to see effects you recognize, but there will be moments when you say, “but how did he do it?” But most of the time you will find yourself being swept along for the ride with the rest of the audience; a willing participant in an elegant evening of pure escapism.