The Loft

Lake Tahoe is a well-known tourist destination. The lake and mountains make it an ideal vacation spot for those who love the outdoors, while the casinos on the Nevada side provide entertainment options for those more inclined toward non-outdoor activities.

Casinos, however, aren’t the only place where people can congregate when they need a respite from the natural elements. In South Lake Tahoe, California, there is The Loft, a magic establishment celebrating its 10th anniversary this December. The venue, which includes a restaurant, lounge, and a 107-seat theater, was built in the town’s Heavenly Village complex, where people can check out various eateries and shops at the base of the Gondola for the resort’s ski slopes.

The Loft has shows seven nights a week, 363 days a year. (The only days it’s closed are the Fourth of July, and—one of the most hallowed days of the year for many—Super Bowl Sunday.) There are two shows a night throughout the summer and every Friday and Saturday of the year, with a matinee show on Sundays as well.

“We call our show magic fusion, which basically means a blend of magic and comedy,” explained Frank Trotta, who runs the day-to-day operations of The Loft along with his current business partner, Matt Stegemiller. “Each performer has a different ratio of how much of their show is magic. Some of them are 50/50, some of them are 80/20. But everyone gets a laugh out of the show no matter who the performer is.” Trotta added that acts who do well have a lot of audience interaction, including bringing folks on stage.

Magicians at The Loft also have likely been on Fool Us, headlined on cruise ships, are regulars at The Magic Castle, or are fixtures in the Los Angeles or Vegas magic scene. They also must have a compelling 75-minute act and be ready to perform in Tahoe for a two-week stretch.

Performers must also be able to adjust to the audience, which can be varied and often includes a fair number of families. “In the winter, we have the ski crowd. In the summer, we have the lake crowd,” said Trotta. “It’s a pretty big mix, but it’s mostly tourists who

are looking for a great show and something to do other than the casinos.” And while most shows are family-friendly, there’s also an 18-and-over-only show on Friday nights. Local magician Robert Hall often performs that show, but visiting headliners might be asked to take on that slot as well.

The Experience

Guests enter The Loft via the first-floor box office in Heavenly Village, which happens to be right across from the skating rink or miniature golf course, depending on what time of year it is. They then walk upstairs to the restaurant greeting area, where they can get food and drinks before the show. “We always offer people the option of dining with us beforehand, and a lot of our show guests take advantage of that and have a full night at The Loft,” said Trotta, who—as a certified sommelier and a graduate from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York—curates the venue’s American tapas menu.

Local strolling magicians also perform for guests, including close-up shows at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., which people can check out before or after heading to the theater. After the 75-minute show, guests can hang out in The Loft’s lounge area, which includes some fire pits and the option to build your own s’mores while listening to live music.

From Tahoe to Reno

This May, Trotta and his business partner are opening up the White Rabbit Theater at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. “In Tahoe, we focus on having a more intimate experience with the performer,” said Trotta. “In Reno, our plan is to do a much larger production, where we’ll not only have magicians, but we’ll also have aerialists, dancers, and variety acts. It’ll be a much larger Vegas-style show.”

The Loft, however, will stay open as long as Tahoe vacationers are looking for something fun to do at night. Which, of course, they always are.

Venue photos by Brian Walker