Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts Presents 'It's Magic'

From The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts: The award-winning It’s Magic! showcase enthralls and entrances fans at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) on Sunday, March 19, 3:00 PM. Tickets, starting from $40, are available at the CCPA Ticket Office and cerritoscenter.com or by calling (562) 467-8818.

The longest-running magic production in the country, IT’S MAGIC! brings to the stage the biggest stars in magic and variety. With a cast of award-winning performers from around the world – including Hollywood’s Magic Castle and Las Vegas – the extravaganza leaves audiences speechless and spellbound with sleight-of- hand illusions, stage tricks, and comedy and variety acts. It’s “the best magic show in town!” cheers the Los Angeles Times. The CCPA lineup features magic masters Jody Baran, Jay Johnson, Juliana Chen, Charlie Frye & Co., and Ray Pierce.

The widespread success of It’s Magic!, which started as Hocus Pocus in 1956, led to the birth of Hollywood’s Magic Castle, a private club for magicians and magic enthusiasts that opened its doors in 1963. Audiences were hypnotized by sold-out magic shows featuring legendary masters of illusions Harry Blackstone, John Calvert, Mark Wilson, Lance Burton, and Harry Anderson. It’s Magic! has cast its spell over captivated crowds on the West Coast and beyond, including Hawaii, Arizona, California, and Washington.

Illusionist JODY BARAN headlined his own show, KUPANAHA, for 16 years in Hawaii. He has performed at international adventure parks, cruise ships, and on television. Known for his role on the popular television series Soap, ventriloquist JAY JOHNSON garnered a Tony Award for his one-man show, Jay Johnson: The Two and Only! The production also won the Los Angeles Ovation Award for “Best Solo Show.”

Master magician JULIANA CHEN won the World Championship at the World Congress of Magicians, known as the “Olympics of Magic.” Considered the First Lady of Magic, Chen has been featured on the NBC special The World's Greatest Magic IV and ABC’s Champions of Magic. In 2002, Chen was awarded the Chavez Memorial Cup, which recognized her professional excellence in the magic industry.

Often compared to comedians such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Dick Van Dyke, CHARLIE FRYE & CO. delights with a winning blend of silent comedy, magic, juggling, slapstick, and acrobatics. Named Las Vegas’ Specialty Act of the Year, Charlie and his wife Sherry have thrilled audiences in Australia, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the United States. The duo won the Ken Dodd Comedy Award in England and the Award of Excellence from the International Jugglers’ Association.

In addition to being a professional magician and illusionist, RAY PIERCE is known for his unique ability to design and coordinate all of the different facets of a production. He has consulted for magician David Copperfield, singer Olivia Newton-John, actors Steve Martin and Bette Midler, and the late legend Orson Welles. Pierce has worked on a variety of television shows, including Wings, Lois & Clark, In Living Color, Mr. Belvedere, and The Bob Newhart Show.

For tickets or more information on the performance, call (562) 467-8818 or go to cerritoscenter.com.

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay