Marvyn's Magic Theater was created on a dare. It all started when Jeff Hobson formed a friendship with a previous client, Gary Beutler. Beutler, a magic enthusiast, told Hobson for years that he wanted to open a magic venue one day, and he wanted Hobson to run it. Hobson didn’t think much of the idea, even when the two were in La Quinta, California, and agreed that the area—full of retirees with money and too few places to spend it—would be the perfect spot for a magic theater.
Beutler said he was going to look for a place in the area. Hobson nodded, and then promptly forgot about it, thinking that his friend wasn’t serious. He found out, however, how serious Beutler was when he got a call from him while performing with The Illusionists in Sydney, Australia, telling Hobson that he was about to sign a lease for a space. “While I was on the phone, I realized this is going to be my last appearance with The Illusionists, because I have to quit,” Hobson told Genii.
The entrance to Marvyn’s Magic Theater on a sunny day in La Quinta. Marvyn’s 130-seat theater before the guests are let in
Hobson and his wife Yvonne moved to La Quinta, and Marvyn’s Magic Theater opened in the fall of 2019. They had a great six months before the pandemic shut them down, but they reopened again in the fall of 2021. Just before the reopening, the Hobsons bought the theater from Beutler and now own and run it outright.
The Theater
The 130-seat theater, which has a row dedicated to Beutler whenever he wants to see a show, is now in its fourth season, which runs from October to June. (Half the population leaves the Greater Palm Springs area in the summer months because, in Hobson’s words, the 115-degree temperature “causes trees to lean toward dogs.”) Given its name, the venue is unsurprisingly inspired by Marvyn Roy, aka Mr. Electric. Hobson describes Marvyn’s as “a weird and wonderful cross between Hogwarts and the Al Flosso magic shop in New York.” To that end, guests start their experience by taking a gander at odd items one might have found in a 1960s magic shop. There’s also a Dematerialization Chamber, which uses the Girl and the Gorilla Illusion by Kerry Pollock. Marvyn Roy, performing with his wife Carol, is also featured, both in a video and through an exhibition of several of their props, including his 1,000-watt light bulb, his magical crown, and one of his chandeliers.
Hobson then escorts guests through a secret passage (after they say the magic word, of course), where they enter a lounge that features a pianist playing and a small area for close-up magic, performed by a rotating handful of local magicians. After about 45 minutes, guests head to the theater for a 75-minute show, with Hobson hosting for about 15 minutes and the headliner performing the remainder. “I’ve got my dream team this year,” said Hobson about his line-up this season. That team includes Mac King, David Williamson, John Archer, Raymond Crowe, and regulars Dana Daniels and Nathan Phan. The theater typically holds performances Thursday through Saturday, with Wednesdays held for special one-night performers, like Mac, who have a built-in audience ready to attend.
Guests at Marvyn’s are treated to an array of magic memorabilia, from linking rings to light bulbs. The bar area at Marvyn’s pays homage to its namesake, Marvyn Roy, aka Mr. Electric
Doing well at Marvyn’s requires having a full 60-minute act that meets the expectations of the guests. “Our audiences are old school,” said Hobson. “They like the whole Vegas vibe, where it’s heavy comedy and you throw some tricks in there, more or less… not everybody likes serious magic, I hate to say that, but everybody loves to laugh.” Hobson added that he looks for someone who can build a show over an hour rather than merely fill it. Marvyn’s also has a lot of repeat guests—some have been to the theater 80 to 90 times!—and so he also makes sure the effects and tricks that his acts use aren’t duplicative week to week.
Marvyn's Future is Bright
The Hobsons see a bright future for Marvyn’s and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. There are rumors, in fact, that they might consider building out a franchise if they can find the right partner. Whether they do so or not, Marvyn’s will ensure that magic remains strong in La Quinta for the foreseeable future.
Photos courtesy of Jeff Hobson
Marvyn's Magic Theatre
World-class magic, comedy, and variety acts from Broadway, Las Vegas, and across the globe in a state-of-the-art, intimate, luxury 130-seat theater!