I had the pleasure of visiting Atlantic City this week with some friends, expressly for the purpose of seeing Kalin, Jinger, and Hobson’s show “Carnival of Wonders,” which ran this summer at Trump Plaza.
It was certainly one of the best magic shows I’ve ever seen.
The dynamic between the husband-and-wife team of Kalin & Jinger is great, and the over-the-top antics and humor of Jeff Hobson added a fantastic whimsical element. Â Top it off with incredible theatrical elements (fun sets, exquisite lighting, and a rich musical score), and it was certainly on par with a Copperfield magic experience.
The preshow environment set the mood very well, and Kalin took the stage to make the carnival appear. Â You really got the sense that the magic was coming out of his “bag of tricks,” especially with a very visual appearance of pseduo-emcee Jeff Hobson.
A blend of magic, comedy, and dancing ensued, each with a carnival tie-in, but centered on magic, rather than “variety” entertainment.
And for the show’s finale, it all magically seemed to go back into Kalin’s magic bag, effectively bringing the show full circle.
After the show, the stars were kind enough to sign autographs and pose for photos, and expressed their sincere thanks to all their fans. Â Knowing that these artists are real people, and not full of themselves or arrogant, makes the show all the more special.
Like any carnival, it’s a shame that the “Carnival of Wonders” was a fleeting experience, but perhaps that makes it even more special and magical. Â This shows gets my highest recommendation!
