Dinner theater offers free shows to veterans and police officers

When magician Brett Myers was growing up in Chambersburg, he remembers his family visiting Lancaster County to attend presentations at Sight & Sound Theatre. In 2011, he and his wife, Labrina, moved to the area. For a time, the couple traveled doing magic shows in partnership with nonprofit organizations, but moving to the county made them consider producing a local show.

"We thought it would be a great place to learn and grow and develop as artists," said Brett, who stopped traveling in 2015 and connected with a local theater to do a stationary show that allowed for illusions that are harder to do on the road. By 2018, he and Labrina had outgrown the theater space and began searching for something larger.

In 2019, the former Rainbow's Comedy Playhouse became available. "We moved in on January 1, 2020, and we worked tirelessly for 10 weeks to renovate," recalled Brett. The Magic & Wonder Dinner Theater was ready to open in March of 2020, but then COVID-19 restrictions hit. "We went into a holding pattern and officially opened July 1, 2020," Brett said. The Magic & Wonder Mystery variety show has been running ever since.

About 10 years ago, Brett partnered with WJTL to give a magic show at the Junction Center as a fundraiser for HOPE International. "(HOPE International is) an organization that makes poverty disappear," said Brett. Magic & Wonder recently partnered with The Factory Ministries for a food drive that brought in more than 450 pounds of food along with cash donations for The Factory Market food pantry. Area veterans have been the recipients of the theater's generosity as well. "We are doing free dinners and shows for veterans and police officers," said Brett of the special running through Saturday, July 8. Interested veterans and police officers may call the box office at 717-323-3077 to learn about the special. "(At the show) they need to (present) identification that certifies they are an active or retired veteran or a police officer," Brett noted.

In addition to the magic show, the theater has recently added Jukebox Jive running during 3 p.m. matinees on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through the end of October. "It's not just a music show. It has a variety of circus arts woven throughout," said Brett, who noted that audience members will "experience the wonder decades of '50s, '60s, '70s, and '80s." "We take you to a soda pop shop. We go to the age of Aquarius, Woodstock, and the awesome '80s," said Brett, who noted that six vocalists and dancers from around the country will portray greasers, jocks, cheerleaders, and nerds in the two-hour show that includes the greatest hits from the aforementioned decades. "It celebrates the golden age of rock 'n' roll, and it takes (audience members) on a stroll down memory lane."

Dinners at the theater now include full-course meals with entrees, appetizers, soup, and desserts.

More information about the theater, located at 3065 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise, may be found at http://www.magicandwondershow.com.