“Family” is a key word for Mac King. The comedy magician has specialized in family-friendly entertainment for decades in Las Vegas, sure, but he considers the entertainment community his family as well. It’s not unusual to see him popping up in clubs and shows all over town, making guest appearances. In addition, during the pandemic shutdown, King started a YouTube podcast, Don’t Everybody Leave, with his Vegas magic and comedy compatriots. He’s enjoyed much success on the Strip, but for this performer, entertainment is about much more than dollars and cents. It’s about connecting with both his local community and the millions of visitors he’s entertained over the years.
That connection becomes crystal-clear when King appears onstage (but not before a rousing chorus of “If You’re Happy and You Know It” to put a smile on your face). He’s quite possibly the most unassuming magician you’ll ever see. There’s none of that flash and pizzazz so many of his contemporaries are known for. It’s just him and his plaid suit, as inseparable from his image as cerulean is from the Blue Man Group. With a, “Hi! I’m Mac King!” he ushers you into his folksy world, one where camping, fishing and eating Fig Newtons are the norm. And within this folksy world, King performs some of the most head-scratching illusions this side of David Copperfield (but without that aforementioned flash and pizzazz).
When King starts cutting a simple piece of rope, he’s off and running. His props are all similarly simple, from a tent to a fishing pole to a yellow poncho. Audience participation is a huge part of the show, so make sure to bring the young ’uns along.
And where some of Las Vegas’ famous magicians have worked with larger animals like tigers, King prefers working on a much smaller, less dangerous scale—his animal helpers include goldfish, a Guinea pig and one we can’t name in this article, at the risk of spoiling the surprise for that lucky preteen volunteer.
Longtime fans of King will notice his new surroundings. He performed for decades at Harrah’s, but now performs in the Thunderland Showroom at Excalibur, a much different, more intimate room. “This has a more modern feel,” King told Las Vegas Magazine in an interview. “We’ve got that big video wall backdrop, and I’m really looking forward to exploring that and making it a bigger part of the show. There’s a lot more lighting and the stage is a little more narrow, but it’s deeper front to back. I feel at home.”
As you’ll quickly discover, feeling at home is a huge part of the show’s charm, and why so many fans return again and again. The world outside may feel topsy-turvy, but for an hour and change, King transports you to an easier time when all you needed to be happy was a fun sing-along song, a smile ... and maybe a Fig Newton.
Excalibur, 702.597.7600
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