" Anyone strolling the halls of the

Fairmont Kea Lani would hear ongoing waves of genuine laughter , gasps of amazement , and eager applause emanating from the showroom . "

When a new magic showroom opened on Maui in 2022 , and like any magic nerd on a tiny island , I found myself in line on opening night . The magician chosen to launch and headline the new theater was Florida native Nathan Coe Marsh . At 7:00 pm , my party entered a cozy parlor that seats forty

Nathan performing for troupes in Iraq - here his is flying in a Blackhawk .

or so . Moments after I found my seat , the lights went down , and Nathan took the stage . After a charming welcome , he brought out a yellow handkerchief : “ Ladies and gentlemen , I encourage you to lean forward . Please don ' t blink , don ' t look away , don ' t take your eyes off of that yellow handkerchief ." POOF ! It was gone .

As I looked around the room , I could tell everyone was thinking the same thing as me , “ Okay , you ’ ve got my attention .” The next seventy minutes was an exciting ride of perfectly curated routines for a small parlor . Nathan ’ s grand finale was not some loud , bombastic showpiece but a thoughtful meditation about the world and searching for the fragile gift of wonder therein .

Original gags and jokes earned big laughs , and his sharp wit showed everyone he was listening to them . He quickly connected with his audience . Anyone strolling the halls of the Fairmont Kea Lani would hear ongoing waves of genuine laughter , gasps of amazement , and eager applause emanating from the showroom .

OCTOBER | 2023 9