I LOVE MAGIC!! I was fortunate enough to see a magic show while on Maui... or I guess THE magic show while on Maui is probably a more accurate description. Warren and Annabelle's might be one of the (if not the #1) most highly recommended activity on the island... and I finally went. IT WAS WORTH IT!
Let's start from the beginning with a little history about Warren and Annabelle's. The theater is a dream come true for Warren Gibson, a South Carolina-born magician. Warren has been performing his sleight-of-hand since 1979. Unlike most magicians, his fascination with magic didn't start as a child. Warren had a career as a police officer and later became a criminal investigator for So. Carolina National Bank. To add to his business presentations, he taught himself several magic effects and was instantly hooked. In 1984 Warren Gibson decided to follow his dreams of becoming a full time magician and moved to Los Angeles where he became known as one of the top close-up magicians.
Warren was asked to perform at corporate events and private functions nationwide, including Arnold Schwarzenegger’s monthly cigar dinners. Warren was selected to be the featured close-up magician when Wizardz, the magic dinner theater at Universal Studios, opened in 1993. Soon after, Warren performed in a Paramount Pictures film and was the Technical Consultant for all magic scenes on the project.
For nearly 15 years, Warren wanted to open his own magic theater. He and his wife, Lisa, came to Maui in 1993 for their honeymoon, and they realized they had found the ideal location to open their business. Warren spent the next four years putting all the pieces together and in April 1999, Warren’s vision became a reality and Warren & Annabelle’s opened their doors in Lahaina on the island of Maui.
In case you're wondering, Annabelle isn't his second wife, it's his ghost who plays piano in the lounge where you enjoy drinks and appetizers before the show... but only after you discover the secret passage at the entrance.
Our first performer of the evening was John Shryock. He's preformed in over 100 cities across the world and it's no surprise. He had several close up tricks that were... nothing short of incredible. I think my favorite was when he took a wedding ring from a guest and put it in a bag, which she held onto, and then he took out a hammer, placed the bag on the counter and SMASHED it! Lets just say through several winding tricks, a walnut ended up being what was needed to get her ring back! Mind...Blown.
Dana Daniels was the second preformer of the evening, assisted by his physic dove, Dwayne. Well do you remember the Magic Castle post? Dana was the preformer with the psychic parrot, Luigi! Yes, so I got to see him in a second venue (and now remember his name!!), much more up close and personal this time and he did not disappoint. He was hilarious, so it makes sense he won Comedy Magician of the Year from the Academy of Magical Arts, two-time Stage Magician of the Year from the Academy of Magical Arts and was awarded the Jimmy Durante Comedy Award entertainer. He made a bowling ball appear out of his jacket that was laying on the table (WHAT?!) and also did another incredible trick with fruit. Audience members selected other audience members and even with choice entirely by the audience, Dana predicted it all. If you don't believe me (or even if you do) you must see this show if you get the chance.
I promise you will not be disappointed, and though you don't come to Maui to see magic, it was definitely a must see show... even if Warren isn't in town. These two performers are also available for private parties and corporate events. I'm super excited with how much magic is in my life lately and I hope it doesn't stop any time soon!!
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