The Broadway Magic Hour | Jim Vines and Carl Mercurio

Jim Vines and Carl Mercurio have each been performing magic all their lives, and they met 10 years ago when they were both booked to perform in the same magic-variety show in Coney Island. Jim and Carl became friends and started performing together in venues throughout the tristate area, eventually collaborating on a family magic show, which debuted in 2022 at the North Fork Community Theatre in Long Island.

Fast forward to May 2024, when Jim was on a phone call with Richard Brooks, the head talent booker for the Broadway Comedy Club and Greenwich Village Comedy Club. Rich mentioned that while there was a variety of great magic shows in New York City, he had noticed something was missing—a big family-friendly event that could be enjoyed by kids, parents, friends, and anyone looking for a feel-good outing. Rich suggested that a family magic show in Midtown that brings families together for an unforgettable experience filled with joy, laughter, and wonder, could be a hit.

Jim told Rich about the family magic show that he and Carl were already performing and mentioned that they had been looking for the perfect venue in which to regularly present the show. Rich was enthusiastic. It was meant to be! In a moment of inspiration, Carl came up with the name The Broadway Magic Hour. Now it was time to put it on the historic Broadway Comedy Club stage.

Rich scheduled the NYC debut of the Broadway Magic Hour on Saturday, August 3, 2024 - and to everyone's delight the show quickly sold out. They followed up by adding more dates, and every show had a full house, proving that the city truly needed this show. A few months later, Time Out NY rated The Broadway Magic Hour as one of the Best Off-Broadway Shows for Kids & Families, as well as one of the Best Magic Shows in NYC.

A Magical Beginning