‘The Illusionists - Live from Broadway’ heads to Kennewick on Feb. 12

When Jeff Hobson was 7 years old, he saw a magician perform a trick with scarves.

It probably wouldn’t blow his socks off today.

But back then, as a grade-schooler, he was beyond impressed.

“I said, ‘I have to do that,’ ” Hobson recalled. “ I never looked back.”

Now an acclaimed and accomplished magician, Hobson will stop in Kennewick on Feb. 12 with The Illusionists — Live from Broadway, a popular touring magic show that seems to have something for everybody.

Hobson likens it to The Avengers, with a diverse line-up of heavy hitters.

He’s “The Trickster,” entertaining with an irreverent mix of comedy and magic.

Joining him are:

▪  Yu Ho-Jin, “The Manipulator,” who was named 2014 Magician of the Year by Academy of Magical Arts and won the Grand Prix at the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques.

▪  Dan Sperry, “The Anti-Conjuror,” an America’s Got Talent veteran who is described as a cross between Marilyn Manson and David Copperfield.

▪  Andrew Basso, “The Escapologist,” who’s been dubbed Houdini’s “natural successor” and performs Houdini’s famed Water Torture Cell with no covers.

▪  Kevin James, “The Inventor,” known for innovative illusions such as “The Floating Rose.”

▪  Ben Blaque, “The Weapon Master,” a master of the crossbow and another America’s Got Talent veteran.

▪  Jonathan Goodwin, “The Daredevil,” who survived everything from hanging to hanging by his toes from a helicopter to being attacked by sharks.

Showtime is 7 p.m. in the Windermere Theatre at the Toyota Center.

The Illusionists — billed as the world’s best-selling touring magic show— is coming to Kennewick as part of the 2015-16 season of Broadway at the Toyota Center. It’s presented by Jam Theatricals, with Simon Painter, Tim Lawson and MagicSpace Entertainment producing.

Hobson said the show has intense moments but is family-friendly. “We have so many parents coming up to us saying their kids weren’t restless, they were on the edge of their seats,” he said.

His act includes plenty of audience participation — sometimes unwittingly. He’s known to temporarily relieve people of their wallets or watches, all in the name of fun.

For Hobson, who has headlined in Las Vegas, appeared on multiple TV shows and performed around the world, magic is about bringing smiles through wonder and humor.

“I don’t take magic all that seriously. I really just want people to laugh,” he told the Herald. “There are so many good things about laughter. If you look it up medically, laughter is one of the best things you can do for your body. It makes you feel good, puts you in a good frame of mind. I like that feeling of having people enjoy themselves.”

Tickets for The Illusionists – Live from Broadway range from $37 to $82. They’re available through the Toyota Center box office and Ticketmaster.

Tickets purchased through the box office avoid service charges.

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 9:52 PM with the headline "‘The Illusionists - Live from Broadway’ heads to Kennewick on Feb. 12."