#1 Magic Show in Los Angeles | Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills | Intimate Illusions

Westlake Magazine Honor

Ivan Amodei — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:55:57 +0000

Once a year, Westlake Magazine – A Premier Luxury Magazine honors individuals in the community for their Achiever's Issue. I'm thrilled to be included this year.

They did a great article too.

Famous Red Dress Cellist

Ivan Amodei — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:11:47 +0000

Madame Suggia by Augustus John

I love this painting of Guilhermina Suggia by Augustus John. Her passion and talent combined with the beautiful red dress make for a stunning painting. Years ago, Cellists were not female and were not encouraged to become cellists. It's such a fascinating piece of cello history.

It is by sheer coincidence that my cellist in the show has almost the identical dress and style. Also notice that the shape of the Cello is so similar to the woman’s body – complete with her curves and plenty of "strings" attached.

Read more about this famous painting and cello history here.

David Copperfield Commercial

Ivan Amodei — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:42:41 +0000

A funny David Copperfield commercial.

Splash Magazine Review

Ivan Amodei — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:26:37 +0000

The Magic of Ivan Amodei: Intimate Illusions – Magic is For Grown-Ups

By Ma'ayan Cohen

Magic is for grown ups, as Ivan Amodei demonstrates in his dexterous 90-minute performance at the acclaimed Beverly Wilshire.

From his sleight of hand in a sharp black suit to the reciprocal tunes of concert cellist, Irina Chirkova, in her scorching red dress – classics such as Bach and Dvorak, the Mission Impossible theme, and comical lone notes – we see magic played right.

As you step into Ivan’s intimate, 65-person suite, you enter into the exclusive world of an illusionist. Candlelight and props of sorts are scattered before you, accented by the somewhat antiquated furniture befitting the magician’s private theatre. Ivan appears well-practiced and nonchalant, speaking fast, and explaining thoroughly.

But illusion by illusion, you realize he is a master of his art and comfortable in the knowledge that he will not only succeed at every turn, but impress you undoubtedly. And he does. Praised as LA’s greatest magician with over one year of sold-out evenings at this historical hotel, Intimate Illusions, as the name claims, is up-close and mind-boggling magic.

Ivan, born in Sicily, has garnered six People’s Choice Awards throughout his career, including Best Entertainer, as well as first place in both the 2005 International Brotherhood of Magicians Close-Up Competition and the 2005 Society of American Magicians Close-Up Competition.

His parlor magic, performed right under your nose, comes together in an intricate act of not only elaborate tricks, but audience interaction, storytelling, laughter, and ingenuity.

In a Houdini-esque illusion entitled Around the World, Ivan asks the audience to name three different countries. He then seemingly swallows a handful of sewing pins and while coolly spinning a world globe on his finger like a seasoned basket pro, he shoots out the pins onto his geographical targets.

The game goes on to include an apple, more pins, and an awe-inspiring conclusion, but you will have to watch Ivan’s performance for that. Also intriguing are a modern reenactment of the infamous story of William Tell, and another of the inner-workings of the mind of a mega savant.

There are darts and candies, animals, dictionaries, knives, and even ipads in this high-end magic show for the 21st century. In our world of so little enchantment and too much reality, let Ivan Amodei suspend your disbelief for a single evening. You will walk out of his realm and back into yours with greater wonder for the magical world we live in.

Catch The Magic of Ivan Amodei: Intimate Illusions Fridays and Saturdays, 7pm and 9pm, at the Beverly Wilshire.

Read the review on Splash Magazine's site here.

How true this is!

Ivan Amodei — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:01:52 +0000

SOAP “Chuck & Bob Mindreading Act”

Ivan Amodei — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:02:26 +0000

This is hilarious mindreading and one of the funniest moments on TV from the 70s.

Be Fearless

Ivan Amodei — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:54:32 +0000

I really thought this is a perfect Mission Statement, at least for me.

Ben Jackson review

Ivan Amodei — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:07:32 +0000

I flew all the way from TEXAS with my girlfriend to see Ivan's show and I have to say: it was worth the trip!

Without a doubt, Ivan is one of the best magicians of our day. He's extremely funny, creative, and his show never slows down.

The evening was 90 minutes jam packed with superb showmanship, mystery, and music. Factor in the intimate setting and posh décor of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, and you have a night you won't forget… Highly recommended.

Visit Ben's site here.

The Karel Show Radio Interview

Ivan Amodei — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:34:23 +0000

The Karel Show did a great interview with Ivan and his Intimate Illusions show.

More guest reviews

Ivan Amodei — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:38:20 +0000

"You have to see Ivan Amodei's 'Intimate Illusions!' This show is amazing! First of all it is at the Beverly Wilshire, which is gorgeous and such a great spot to take a date.The show is truly original like nothing I've ever seen!

The space is intimate and romantic with dimly lit candles and a live cello player (who is amazing btw..) Ivan captivates his audience and impresses with original magic and illusions that are truly breathtaking. And the best part is that you are literally sitting just inches from the action.

I highly recommend this show. Take your date for dinner and drinks at the Wilshire and make a night out of it. You won't regret it! Loved it!"

- Alexandra Perakis

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Ivan Amodei's show was simply incredible. He is a gifted entertainer with true skills who really knows how to put on a great show!

- Guest

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We had so much fun! It's great to laugh a lot and thoroughly enjoy ourselves. Ivan puts on a great show that would be hard for anyone not to love.

- Guest

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Ivan is the best magician I have ever seen in 60 years of attending events. He is dynamic, personable, smooth and is so skilled that my party of 5 still can't figure out how he does it so elegantly.

Run – don't walk to see him – he's spectacular!

- Guest

Ventura County Star Article

Ivan Amodei — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:10:07 +0000

Ivan Amodei is Ventura County's hottest magician, as evidenced by his more than one-year run of weekend illusion shows at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

On Fridays and Saturdays, Amodei holds court in an intimate setting for about 75 patrons who have come to be entertained and mystified. The 90-minute show is drawn from more than four hours of material he has developed during his career. Amodei was 5 years old and living in New York when he discovered magic.

He had plenty of tricks up his sleeves by his teens, when his family moved to California. Amodei, who attended Thousand Oaks High School, said the move was an easy one, thanks in part to magic.

"When I was a little boy I was shy," said Amodei, who was born in Sicily and lived there until he was 2. "But I also loved magic, and being shy and magic do not coincide well. So the more I did magic the less shy I was. By the time we moved here I could walk up to people and say, 'Hi, I'm Ivan. Who are you?' "

Amodei has always preferred small venues, including performing in the homes of the rich and famous. Eventually, he debuted at the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood. "Playing the Magic Castle once a lot of people can do," he said. "Playing it more than once is another story." Amodei explained that newcomers to the Castle are secretly vetted by veteran magicians, who report back to the venue's entertainment director. "I didn't realize these guys were coming to the show, but I kept getting asked back over and over," he said. "Then I became one of the guys because I had paid my dues. And once you're in, you're in."

The Magic Castle specializes in close-up magic, and Amodei's résumé includes a first-place finish at the 1995 "Las Vegas Close-Up Classic."

His success led to a series of shows at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles, followed by the move to the Beverly Wilshire, where Amodei does parlor magic, intended for a small audience, but capable of being transformed to a larger theater.

One trick that's popular with audiences, Amodei explained, involves him apparently swallowing several large sewing needles. While spinning a globe, he asks audience members names of cities, states or countries they would like to visit. Amodei then takes a straw and appears to spit out the needles toward the spinning globe, where they land on the exact spots that have been mentioned.

"I show the needles to the people who called out the places," he said. "While everyone can't see the exact spot, they are close enough to see what's going on and to say, 'Oh my god.' It's close-up in a sense, but it can play to a larger audience."

Though the show has a script, Amodei said he tends to veer from it, taking his cues from the audience. He frequently changes the illusions on his set list — even making changes during the show if he sees people he recognizes from previous performances.

And after the show he returns to his Somis home, an Italian-style villa situated on a 30-acre lemon orchard. He lives there with his wife and two children. "I love Somis," Amodei said. "I can work on the yard while my kids are out playing. I was a city boy, but it's so secluded, with lemons all around us. It's beautiful."

For Amodei, Somis is a place where he and his family can disappear, which is one of his favorite magic tricks.

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View article on VC Star website here.

The Blvd

Ivan Amodei — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:07:10 +0000

THE BLVD is located inside the Beverly Wilshire. Walking distance to the showroom, you'll never have to leave the hotel.

The place to see and be seen, this sophisticated all-day dining spot features lofty ceilings and large windows overlooking the fashionable intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive.

Cuisine: Steak; $31-$50 per person

Tel: (310) 275-5200

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