The MGM Grand’s next magic act premieres two weeks before Halloween.
“Now You See Me Live” will open Oct. 15 at the MGM Grand Theater, long the home of David Copperfield. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Pacific time Monday at Ticketmaster.com. Promoter Live Nation Las Vegas announced the new show Tuesday morning, a limited run selling through Jan. 5.
As reported last month, “Now You See Me Live” is an ensemble production drawn from the film franchise. The show’s “Four Horsemen” are as follows (descriptions from Tuesday’s news release):
● Andrew Basso (Italy) — A daredevil known for his death-defying acts, Basso became the first and youngest Italian to win the World Escape Championship.
● Gabriella Lester (Canada) — At age 22, the quick-witted Lester is the youngest and only female Horseman, who mastered Houdini’s upside-down straitjacket escape when she was 14.
● Adam Trent (USA) — Harnessing the power of technology and deceptive sleight of hand, Trent has become a modern magical force by translating his skills from stage to screen to social media.
● Enzo Weyne (France) — A specialist in large-scale magic, Weyne is a visionary who creates technically groundbreaking and artistic illusions.
The show most recently played at the Sydney Opera House from Dec. 18 to Jan. 4. A version opens a five-week run at the London Coliseum on July 31. The production was a hit in Sydney, with total ticket sales of $5 million across 17 dates. The London show is expected to sell more than 100,000 tickets.
The producers are the team behind “The Illusionists,” also featuring multiple artists. Simon Painter and Tim Lawson head up the “Now You See Me” creative team.
Painter led The Works entertainment company when in partnership with Cirque du Soleil’s “Mad Apple” at New York-New York. Cirque had acquired The Works in 2019. Painter left the company in the spring of 2024, after his five-year contract with Cirque timed out.
Painter was also the fiddle player in “Spirit of the Dance” at the Golden Nugget in the early 2000s and was for a time the opening act for The Amazing Johnathan. He frequently says, “Not bad for a fiddle player,” in assessing his rise in the entertainment industry.
In a statement, Painter said, “The incredible illusionists we’ve carefully selected as the Four Horsemen will push the boundaries of stage magic to the absolute edge. They come from around the globe, combining their grand feats of illusion to create a show with truly mind-blowing artistry.”
Copperfield closed at the resort on April 30 after a 25-year run. MGM Resorts continues to stage its “Aces of Comedy” series in the recently renamed theater, with Janelle James next up Friday, followed by George Lopez on June 26.
Lionsgate is “Now You See Me Live’s” production partner. Jenefer Brown, the company’s president of global products and experiences, said: “‘Now You See Me’ has always been about challenging perceptions and surprising audiences at every turn. With this live show, fans can be part of an unforgettable experience that blurs the line between illusion and reality, creating a deeper connection with fans in a powerful new way.”
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykatson X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.