CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- For Dennis Watkins, magic is in his DNA.
"My granddad was a magician, my uncle is an magician, my dad was even a magician, although he didn't like being on stage as much, and now that’s what I do," he said with a grin.
"I was surrounded by it. I was a magic nerd. I started doing birthday parties when I was about 7 and when I first heard the applause, I knew I was hooked."
Watkins hosts Chicago's longest-running magic show. He's been sidelined from live shows for 17 months, now his Magic Parlour is reopening next month.
"I can't stop dreamining about coming back," he said.
In March 2020, he reluctantly started doing shows online and quickly established a worldwide audience.
"I never had a global audience before. I was seeing people from Dubai watching my show online. We'd get a virtual ticket request from John in Indiana, who then bought the show for his grandmother in Oregon and his dad in Florida, and everyone was finding a place they could meet virtually and experience something magical together. We found a way to offer it virtually and now get to jump back and offer it live. It's nice to remember what it's about. It worked out so well, we are continuing our virtual shows when I can," Watkins said.
Pre-pandemic, he was doing 400 live shows a year at the Palmer House and around the country at corporate events. Returning to the iconic hotel, he said, the history isn't lost on him.
"This hotel was an entertainment center back in the day. The Empire Room was a big grand supper club. This is the place Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra sang. If you walk to the Green Room of the Empire Room you see photos of these icons that played in that room. There's a long history of magicians that played here," he said.
Like many performers, Watkins can't wait to dazzle and interact with people again, and he said he has a few new tricks up his sleeve.
"I couldn't be more excited. I've made some good changes to the show that are really exciting. There are some new pieces of magic we're dropping in the show this year," he said.
Watkins said the art of magic is finding a new cult following.
"My granddad would be amazed how hot the marketplace is for magic. We hope it's still true. Magic is hot, because of shows like 'America's Got Talent' and 'Penn and Teller'. Chicago has turned into a wonderful center for magic," he said.
Watkins' Magic Parlour reopens on Aug. 6. He does two shows every Friday and three shows on Saturdays. Tickets are on sale now.
"Magic is great for everyone, because after the show, you leave feeling like you were 6-years old for just a few minutes. That's probably not something you thought you needed. That's the wonder of magic," he smiled.
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