Brandon Wagster can make it snow indoors.
That’s just part of the magic on stage during the Christmas Spectacular, a 90-minute holiday production that will run through December at The Wagsters Magic Theatre in Williamsburg.
The seasonal show shared in an intimate 75-seat theater highlights multiple “How did they do that?” tricks – Brandon and his wife, Hannah Wagster, are both magicians – but that’s not all. Comic and nostalgic touches combine for an entertaining evening that invites the audience to watch and join in. A natural chemistry between the former high school sweethearts, and today, new parents, creates a genuine connection between the couple and their patrons.
“Magic has always been about secrets,” said Brandon, fascinated by trickery since he was 6 years old when Santa delivered a Christmas Day magic kit. “And it’s still about secrets. But Hannah and I don’t care quite as much about the secrets anymore. I want people to care about us and care about what we’re doing over us being, ‘Ha, ha! We fooled you.’”
“We tell people you can go see a magic show anywhere,” Hannah added. “The only place you can see the Wagsters is in Williamsburg. We try to make the show as personable as possible, so it stands out from other magic shows.”
That means Hannah is not just the pretty sidekick wearing glittery dresses – though costume changes are much easier now since she’s not pregnant like much of last year.
“I am covered in deep bruises right now,” she said. “My body is getting used to slamming into boxes again.”
In addition to Brandon’s sleight-of-hand that he shows off using rings, cards, scarves and balls, the show includes Hannah’s solo tricks, such as a head-scratcher when she deciphers different sounds of bells even when they don’t ring.
Getting to know the Wagsters means seeing sweet photos of 7-month-old Lily, and diving into their story, which reveals Hannah’s early disdain for magic, their original intent to open a theater in Myrtle Beach and the moment when Brandon saw his first snow shower, the flakes reflecting in a street lamp on Settlers Market Boulevard in James City County.
“We had already fallen in love with the town and the snow came down and it was like, ‘What is this place? Where am I?’” Brandon said. “I knew this was where we needed to be.”
It’s a magical moment that finishes the show.
This is the last new production that will be held in the Wagsters’ current setting. With their lease expiring in March, they will vacate their space behind a Food Lion in favor of a location at 1430 High Street just off Richmond Road in Williamsburg.
The new 7,500-square-foot building will include a dressing room, plenty of backstage storage and a bigger theater with six rows like the current one but wider to accommodate 126 audience members.
The more visible venue will allow for bigger and bolder tricks and a longer show with an intermission.
“Something for everyone,” Hannah said.
The Wagsters hope they’ll be up and running there by mid-February. After their holiday show, they will return to their regular production, “Finding Magic,” which will be on the bill through January.
The Christmas Spectacular is performed on weekends only in November. Matinee weekday and evenings shows begin in December.
For ticket and show information, visit the Williamsburg Magic website.
