Myrtle Beach has no shortage of tribute concerts and dinner spectacles, but a proper stage magic show is rarer, and this is the one most visitors pick. Charles Bach Wonders is staged at Broadway at the Beach and runs about an hour and a half, with the format of a modern Las Vegas production: large illusions, choreographed dance, music and a good deal of comedy to keep the pacing light. The headliner's credits include appearances at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and the Magic Castle in Hollywood, which is the clubhouse of the Academy of Magical Arts, and the show is designed to look and feel like a full-scale theater production rather than a close-up lounge act. The audience reaction in reviews is consistently enthusiastic, with a rating near the top of the scale across more than six hundred reviews, and the show is pitched as suitable for a mixed audience, so a family with school-age children, a couple on vacation and a group of friends can all enjoy it equally. Illusions are the kind that work best from a seat in a theater, with the lighting, music and staging doing half of the job, so you do not need to know anything about magic to enjoy it. It is also a smart indoor option for the days when the beach weather does not cooperate. Because the show is built around visual effects, it is easy to follow for visitors who speak little English, and its mix of comedy and spectacle keeps the pace brisk enough that teenagers who claim to be too old for magic often end up watching closely. If you are celebrating a birthday or an anniversary, mention it when you book, since a theater will sometimes seat a party together.
Sitting and sightlines
Large illusions are designed for a theater audience, so most seats give a good view, but if you are choosing, sit toward the center rather than hard to one side, where the angle can reveal more than the show intends. If there is a chance for audience participation, you can signal willingness or decline politely. Arrive early enough to park at Broadway at the Beach and to find the venue, because the complex is large and the walk from the lot can take a few minutes.
Who it suits
The show is billed as a family-friendly production, so children who like magic, comedy and bright stage effects are likely to enjoy it, while parents tend to appreciate the pacing and the production values. Very young children may find ninety minutes a long sit, so judge by your own child. Free cancellation applies up to twenty-four hours before the show, which helps if the weather turns and you need to change your plans.
How it fits the trip
Because it is at Broadway at the Beach, it combines easily with dinner at one of the restaurants around the lake, or an hour at Ripley's Aquarium, which is also at the complex. It is a good night to schedule after a long beach day, and a good first-night plan when everyone is tired from the drive. If you like the idea of a second show on the same trip, the comedy hypnosis show described elsewhere in this guide is a very different kind of night out.
What to expect
The experience
A ninety-minute theater show at Broadway at the Beach blending large-scale illusion, dance, music and comedy, headlined by a magician with credits at Caesars Palace and the Magic Castle.
Best time
Any evening it plays; a strong indoor plan for rainy days or a first night.
How long
About an hour and a half.
Tips
Choose center seats for the best angle. Allow time to park and walk at Broadway at the Beach. Judge the length for very young children. Free cancellation up to twenty-four hours ahead.
Quick picks
- Best for
- A classic stage magic night out for a mixed-age group.
- Families
- Good for school-age children who enjoy magic and comedy.
- Couples
- A fun, easy date night with dinner nearby.
- Pair with
- Dinner around the lake at Broadway at the Beach.
- Time needed
- An evening, about ninety minutes plus parking.
Good questions
Where is the show?+
At Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach.
How long is it?+
About an hour and a half.
Is it good for children?+
It is pitched as a show for a general audience and works well for school-age children. Very young children may find the length demanding.
Who is the headliner?+
Charles Bach, whose credits include Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and the Magic Castle in Hollywood.
Can I cancel?+
Free cancellation is offered up to twenty-four hours before the show.
