There are two types of people: the dreamers and the skeptics. At least at a magic show. Jamie Allan shared this early in Amaze, and I have to admit I’m a skeptic, trying to figure out how the illusions were done. TL:DR I didn’t figure any of them out, and I’m still thinking about them days later.
Allan’s show opened in New York City after a West End run in London, last year. And it will be at the New World Stages at least through May.
With a two-hour show you might wonder how many magic tricks you’re going to see. But that’s not the whole point of the show. Yes, there is plenty of magic. But it’s mostly in the context of Jamie’s story – think of it as a magic memoir where he tells and then shows. Much of the two-hour show focuses on storytelling. You’ll learn about Jamie’s childhood and how his love of magic developed. It’s a family story, growing up doing magic at his father’s pub, where he was able to hone his craft and even learn from magicians who sometimes performed there as well.
Jamie also shares insights into how magic and illusions are passed on to the next generation, and how his heroes influenced his life.
And along with these stories, you’ll see some of what he has learned, whether it’s card tricks from Cardini, or levitation. I don’t want to share too much, lest I ruin some of the surprises. But the range of Jamie’s illusions was wide. For example, he had a technical illusion using iPads which was different than anything I’d ever seen before, though he’s been doing technological illusions since he was a teenager in 1995.
Lest adults worry that the show will be too kid-oriented, don’t. We attended as two adults and randomly were sitting next to another (adult) couple. There was a good mix of ages, and the show entertained everyone. Plus, much of the show focuses on being an ’80s kid, something that many of the adults in the room (ahem) appreciated all too well. The show does a good job incorporating music, video, lighting and props to tell his story.
The 180+ seat theater felt intimate and Jamie played to the entire audience. He pulled willing audience members, kids and adults, up to the stage to help out. And there were other ways to participate as well. Jamie has a great rapport with the audience, kids and adults alike. He had his story down, but was good at the crowd work and bantering.
Looking for a good show for the whole family, from kids to grandparents? Amaze is one of those shows.
If you go
Length: Amaze is 2 hours and 15 minutes including one intermission.
Where: New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street)
When: Through May 24, 2026
Disclosure: We received review tickets for this show. That did not impact our review, which is 100% based on our opinions.