‘More than a magic show’
Year-round magic venue set to open in Williamsburg
Magic is coming to Williamsburg with The Wagsters Magic Theatre, which opens June 17.
Brandon and Hannah Wagster are the married duo behind the area’s first and only year-round magic venue.
They have converted a former church on Olde Towne Road into the 65-seat venue. The renovations have consumed their time since March, when they moved to Williamsburg, the Wagsters said. They’ve painted the walls, installed decorations and learned to build their own stage while programming their own performances.
“It’s been a labor of love,” said Brandon Wagster, 31.
The Wagsters plan to have 200 performances a year, providing audiences with what they describe as “an intimate Las Vegasstyle magic show” with disappearing acts, daring escapes, sleight of hand and mind reading.
“The show really is more than just a magic show. It’s very theatrical,” he said. “The main goal is we want people to forget about everything outside of these four walls when they come in these doors.”
Moving their show to Williamsburg was an act of fate — a moment to chase their dreams, the Wagsters said. They relocated after their plans to open a theater in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, were put on hold after the theater where
they worked fired the staff because of the pandemic. By chance, a friend recommended Williamsburg, and the Wagsters fell in love with the area after a visit and quickly leased a place.
“We want to be here for the long haul, long term,” Brandon Wagster said. “We’d love to possibly expand and build our own building one day and grow into something bigger and be a staple part of the town.”
For now, the couple has renovated the former Calvary Chapel Williamsburg, which was located in a metal, warehouse-type building near the Williamsburg Premium Outlets in James City County. The main reception room has been converted into a ticket
office, concession stand and photo booth. Magical items adorn every room, including in the bathroom, where the Wagsters created a mural of 267 individual vintage magic post cards.
Just outside the auditorium is a Hall of Magic, which contains memorabilia from collections of two former magicians as well as items from their own career. Standing alone on a shelf is a gold statue — the Merlin Award, the Oscar of the magic world, that they were awarded in 2020 by the International Magicians Society for Best Theatrical Magic Production.
Becky Paluzsay, who owns the building, said she was immediately impressed by the young
couple and felt that working with them “would be good for both of us.”
“They really are first class and have done most of the renovations and painting themselves,” Paluzsay said. “They have put everything they had into the theater and show.”
The theater’s operation will mostly hinge on the Wagsters — they provide the main performance, and the show is operated entirely by a computer system that controls the lights, special effects and music. There will be one backstage employee and two employees to work concessions and tickets.
“I always tell everyone the best and worst part about our magic is working together, with your
spouse,” Hannah Wagster joked. “You have the best moments together but then we can also fight offstage and then have to pretend like everything’s fine and we don’t want to kill each other.”
The show is personal to the Wagsters. They met in high school in their hometown of Columbia, South Carolina, where Brandon was already performing magic. In 2012, he had two assistants, but let them go and Hannah, whom he was dating, became his assistant.
Hannah, now 28, became a partner in 2013, when they married.
“It’s time for live entertainment to come back; there’s nothing like experiencing it in person,”
Brandon Wagster said. “I hope people will come and support us. … I just can’t wait to start meeting people.”
IF YOU GO
When: 7 p.m. daily, except Wednesdays, through Labor Day. Then Friday through Sunday until December’s “Christmas Spectacular” shows.
Where: 5535 Olde Towne Road, Williamsburg
Tickets: $29.95, adults and children 13 and older; $27.75, people over 55 and active duty military; $14.95, children 4 through 12. Children younger than 3 get in free. Details: williamsburgmagic. com; 1-877-WAGSTER (9247837)