How Amaze & Amuse started at Wealthy Theatre
- Feb 10
- 4 min read
Amaze & Amuse started as a one night idea.
In October of 2019, I produced a single family magic show at Wealthy Theatre. There was no long term plan attached to it. I wanted to create something myself, put it out into the world, and see what happened. The guest for that first show was Brynn Cummings, years before her appearance on America’s Got Talent. At the time, she was simply a wildly talented young ventriloquist from my hometown that I believed in.
That first show took place in the Wege Auditorium, the main theatre at Wealthy. I was 24 years old, still finding my footing in Grand Rapids, printing posters, promoting on my own, and learning what it meant to build something locally. The show went well. The audience was engaged. The smell of popcorn filled the room. It felt like the beginning of something, even if I could not yet explain what that something was.
Earlier that same year, I discovered the Koning Micro-Cinema. It is a 60 seat room tucked inside Wealthy Theatre, and the first time I stood in it, the idea clicked immediately. The furthest row back is eye level with the stage. There is not a bad seat in the room. The front rows are close enough that every reaction feels personal. I remember standing there thinking we could fill this space, not just once, but consistently. That realization changed everything.
After the first show, Amaze & Amuse evolved into a recurring series built around collaboration. Instead of doing everything solo, I started inviting friends to perform with me. At first, it was people I already knew. Over time, that circle expanded to include performers from Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Florida, Las Vegas, and beyond. Many of them have appeared on America’s Got Talent, Masters of Illusion, or have even fooled Penn and Teller. Some were people I looked up to as a kid, which still feels unbelievable.
One of the most important collaborators in the history of Amaze & Amuse is Joe Chasney from the metro Detroit area. Joe is the most frequently appearing guest the show has ever had. He is a favorite with audiences and a trusted presence onstage. Over time, he helped shape the rhythm, pacing, and personality of the show in a way that feels natural and familiar.
As the experience grew, we added close up magic before the show. Guests now walk in and experience sleight of hand right in front of them as they arrive. A few years in, Tyler Grey became our in house close up magician, and that addition elevated the entire night. Tyler performs inches from guests, warming up the room and pulling people into the experience immediately. Beyond close up magic, Tyler has also hosted and headlined Amaze & Amuse shows. Like Joe, he has become a frequent and trusted collaborator. Both of them have personalities that play incredibly well with mine onstage and off, which makes the show stronger and more fun to perform.
Most nights, I am onstage hosting and performing. Occasionally, when I am booked elsewhere, Amaze & Amuse becomes a full takeover show, with other incredible magicians stepping in to lead the night. These are not substitutes. They are part of the vision. From the beginning, the goal has been to build a platform for great magic and great performers, not just one person. Today, Amaze & Amuse is primarily an ages 18 plus show, designed as a date night or night out with friends. Throughout the year, we also produce special family shows at Wealthy Theatre for audiences of all ages. Those shows are limited and seasonal. Watch for April dates soon.
What truly sets Amaze & Amuse apart is the room itself. In the Koning Micro-Cinema, the audience is part of everything. You hear every laugh. You notice every reaction. Unexpected moments become shared moments. It feels less like a performance and more like spending an evening with a group of friends. Because of that, no two shows are ever the same, and the audience has become part of the brand.
There have been plenty of moments that still stick with me, including dozens of sold out shows that proved this little room could hold something special. We have had guests share how the night helped pull them out of a hard week. One unforgettable onstage engagement happened when Brad proposed to Nikki during the show. Moments like those are constant reminders of why live performance matters.
Amaze & Amuse has lasted because of the venue, the community, and the freedom to build something meaningful. Wealthy Theatre gave this show a home and the space to grow. Being able to bring friends to Grand Rapids, some of whom I have known since we were teenagers, and finally share a stage together is something I will never take for granted.
What started as a one night idea became a community experience, and it is still going.
If you want to experience it for yourself, you can learn more about Amaze & Amuse at magicgrandrapids.com or find more of my work at trinomagic.com.
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