Presto! Magicians take up residence in former call center

Downtown St. Petersburg’s EDGE District, already an eclectic neighborhood, has gotten even more vibrant with the arrival of Zubrick Magic Theatre, which opened in July. At 1211 1st Ave. N., Suite 101, the 90-seat venue offers Las Vegas-style magic shows performed by illusionists Chris and Ryan Zubrick, who hail from Michigan but spent 13 years plying their trade overseas in Saipan and Guam, where they performed more than 7,000 shows. 

The Zubricks bring ample industry experience, credibility and accolades to their new home in St. Pete. In 2018, they received the magic industry’s highest honor, The Merlin Award, for Best Family Magic Show, presented by the International Magicians Society. Previous recipients include Criss Angel, Siegfried and Roy, Penn and Teller and David Copperfield. 

Their venue, a former call center, has been spruced up with more than $130,000 in renovations, according to Pinellas County Property Appraiser records. Charging $40 per person, the Zubricks perform three 70-minute shows per week, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The performances, according to a press release, are a family-friendly mix of sleight-of-hand magic, comedy and “grand-scale” illusions.

“We are passionate about creating a fantastic, one-of-a-kind experience for our audience,” Chris Zubrick states in the release. “Our goal is to amaze and entertain people of all ages and create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.” 

If not for the pandemic, the Zubricks might not have found their way to St. Pete. In Guam, they had a high-profile gig at the $40 million, 500-seat Sandcastle Dinner Theatre. But the COVID-19 crisis shuttered that venue, which prompted them to consider a return to the United States. 

“We look forward to providing a new, thrilling and mesmerizing experience for the St. Petersburg community and its year-round tourists,” Ryan Zubrick states in the release.

Zubrick Magic Theatre also offers a VIP package, priced at $137, that includes front-row seating for two people, two beverages, popcorn and a commemorative gift. Tickets are available at https://www.zubrickmagic.com/tickets.