A Magical Holiday Extravaganza at Powerhouse Theatre

Traveling to the West Coast following a sold out, Off Broadway run last winter, Extraordinary Deceptions - A Magical Holiday Extravaganza spices up this December's seasonal offerings in a limited holiday engagement at the Powerhouse Theatre from December 14 through 30.  Ryan Dixon ("The Boomerang Kid") directs an evening of magic, mystery and illusion starring singular magician Michael Gutenplan.

'Magic' Michael Gutenplan performs seemingly impossible feats up-close in The Powerhouse's intimate venue, from card tricks and mind reading to an amazing, death-defying bullet catch. Oh, yes - an audience member will be sawed in half at each performance.  Designed to entertain the entire family, Extraordinary Deceptions is filled with fun, magic and Michael's own cheerfully droll wit.

"I want audiences to have a unique experience," explains Gutenplan. "Extraordinary Deceptions is about the simple pleasures of real magic.  There are no hokey trick boxes, gaudy costumes or cheesy theatrical effects, things that most people associate with magic shows."

The New York Times agrees.  "Young and eager, [Mr. Gutenplan] is an old-fashioned magician, working with cards, money and minds (he reads them), rather than with complicated machinery or pyrotechnics.  He also requests a helper for almost every trick, a practice that delights most magic fans under 18, if not their more shy elders... Mr. Gutenplan's show lives up to its title," wrote Times Family Fare columnist Laurel Graeber. 

'Magic' Michael has performed his original and unique magic for over a decade, across the United States as well as abroad in London, Israel and Spain.  He is a member of The Magic Castle (The Academy of Magical Arts) in Hollywood.  A graduate of the Berkshire School and Carnegie-Mellon University with a degree in Directing, Michael has worked at MSNBC, MTV, CBS's As The World Turns and the founder of Close-Up Productions.  Originally from Roslyn, New York, he recently moved to Los Angeles.

Extraordinary Deceptions runs Fridays at 8 pm; Saturdays at 2:30 and 7:30 pm; and Sundays at 2:30 pm, December 14 through December 30. Tickets to all performances are $25.00. A family four-pack is available for $80.00 by using the promotional code MAGIC.

The Powerhouse Theatre is located at 3116 2nd Street in south Santa Monica, just off Main Street between Rose and Marine. The theater can be reached via public transportation using MTA buses 33 & 333- Main St, Santa Monica; Big Blue Bus-various lines; or the Tide shuttle. Guests in wheelchairs should call in advance to make arrangements. To purchase tickets and for information, call (310) 396-3680 x3 or go to www.powerhousetheatre.com. 

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