By: Mandy Spear

In the middle of Waikiki, past the palm trees and the sound of the surf, there’s a hidden door tucked inside the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel. Push through a secret bookcase, and you step into another world — part Victorian parlor, part Hawaiian dream, and entirely unlike anything else on the islands.

This is The Magical Mystery Show

It’s not a sprawling Vegas spectacle or a digital-age illusion. It’s something smaller, warmer, and, in its own way, potentially much more astonishing.

5 Reasons The Magical Mystery Show Could Be Hawaii’s Must-See Experience

1. It’s Hidden Behind a Secret Door

Guests enter through a real bookcase inside the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel, stepping into a Victorian parlor filled with antiques and island charm. It feels like discovering a hidden world.

2. A World Champion Headlines Most Nights

Resident magician Shoot Ogawa, winner of the 2022 FISM World Championship of Magic, performs two nightly solo shows that often leave audiences laughing, gasping, and wondering how it’s even possible.

3. It’s More Comedy Than Illusion

Producer Jonathan Todd calls it “a lighthearted, interactive experience.” With humor, audience participation, and world-class sleight of hand, it’s often as funny as it is mystifying.

4. You May Learn Some Tricks Yourself

Daily Magic Classes let guests of all ages learn real illusions from the show’s magicians — confidence-building fun that many families and couples enjoy.

5. Every Ticket Helps Do Good

A portion of sales supports Shriners Children’s Hospital and The Magic Castle’s Junior Program, helping kids across the Pacific Rim access medical care and mentorship in magic.

A Stage Built on Wonder and Laughter

Photo Courtesy: The Magical Mystery Show

The room seats just sixty-four people, and that’s part of the appeal. There’s no hiding behind lights or smoke. Every coin, card, and laugh happens just a few feet away. The walls are lined with antiques, curiosities, and nods to Hawaiian history, designed by co-producer Ruth O’Keefe to capture the charm of a nineteenth-century salon.

“We wanted to make people feel like they’d traveled in time,” says Ruth in Honolulu Magazine’s feature on the show. “The theater reflects the era when Hawaii’s King Kalākaua visited Queen Victoria. It’s elegant, eccentric, and alive.”

That mix of history and intimacy sets the scene for something rare in modern entertainment — an evening that feels personal. It’s part comedy, part magic, and completely human.

The World Champion Who Makes It Look Effortless

Every night from Saturday through Thursday, the spotlight belongs to Shoot Ogawa, a legend in the world of sleight of hand and a World Champion of Magic (FISM 2022). He performs two 70-minute shows each night at 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM, keeping audiences from around the world laughing and gasping in equal measure.

Shoot’s reputation precedes him. He’s performed for royal families, world leaders, and Hollywood stars — including Johnny Depp, who has hired him repeatedly for private events. Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller once called him “the best sleight of hand of anybody in the world right now,” and many who have seen him live would likely agree.

But what surprises most guests isn’t just the skill, it’s the warmth.

Ogawa’s show, as co-producer Jonathan Todd explains, is “more comedy than illusion.” That’s intentional. “It’s about joy, connection, and surprise,” Todd said in Honolulu Magazine’s June 2024 profile. “People forget how fun live magic can be.”

A Cast of Characters and Comedians

Before Shoot steps onstage, guests often meet one of the show’s other talented magicians — Kenshin Amagi, Kekoa Erickson, Akinobu, or Pieter Hofstra. They handle the opening act with quick wit and interactive energy, getting the crowd laughing before the main event begins.

On Fridays, the format changes. The spotlight shifts to The Sleight & Delight Tour, a lively team-up featuring Kenshin, Akinobu, and Kekoa, or a solo headliner performance by Kekoa Erickson himself — the charismatic “King of the Five-Star Reviews” known for his levitation act and signature blend of aloha and humor.

Each magician brings their own rhythm. Kenshin, who also manages the theater’s operations and marketing, mixes classic magic with storytelling. Akinobu’s close-up routines draw gasps from even the most skeptical guests. Pieter, who also serves as Sales Manager, doubles as the night’s MC with a sharp comedic flair. Together, they create a dynamic rotation that keeps every show fresh.

More Than a Show — A Purpose

What makes The Magical Mystery Show different isn’t just the laughter or the illusions. It’s the heart behind it. A portion of every ticket sold goes to Shriners Children’s Hospital and The Magic Castle’s Junior Program, supporting children’s medical care and mentorship for aspiring young magicians.

That sense of purpose runs deep with founder Jonathan Todd, a Grammy-nominated producer with a career that spans more than two decades. Before launching the show, Todd spent years producing concerts, managing theatrical events, and collaborating with some of the biggest names in music, including Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac. After moving to Hawaii, he set out to create a production that combined his love for showmanship with his lifelong passion for magic.

“When people walk out smiling, when a child’s eyes light up — that’s why we do this,” Todd shared in a local TV interview with KHON. “It’s not about tricking people. It’s about reminding them what wonder feels like.”

An Experience That Keeps Giving

The wonder doesn’t end when the curtain closes. Guests can sign up for Magic Classes taught by the performers themselves — one-hour sessions designed for all ages. The classes, held right inside the theater, let students learn a few tricks, gain confidence, and see the art from the magician’s perspective.

As Todd explains, “Learning magic helps kids with confidence, critical thinking, and creativity. It’s fun, but it’s also a form of growth.”

Families and couples often come back for the classes after seeing the show, eager to discover what happens behind the curtain. And with such a small venue, the experience feels more like being welcomed into a private club than attending a commercial performance.

The VIP Touch

Every detail of The Magical Mystery Show is designed to feel personal — right down to the seating. Guests can choose from general admission or a limited VIP package that includes front-row seats, a souvenir magic kit, an extra drink (the house-favorite Merlin Rum Punch), and first entry to the theater.

Ticket Options

The Magical Mystery Show offers a variety of ticket options to suit different preferences:

• General Admission: Enjoy access to the show in a welcoming, intimate setting.

• Hilton Guests / Kamaʻāina / Military: Special tickets for locals and those staying at the Hilton Waikiki Beach.

• Children: A family-friendly option that includes a magic kit for young guests.

• VIP Admission: For an enhanced experience, with front-row seating and additional perks.

• Local ʻOhana Bundle: A ticket option for local families, offering one adult and one child free admission.

Each ticket type offers a unique experience to make your visit memorable.

Free valet parking adds to the ease, and adults 21 and over enjoy their complimentary cocktail with the show.

With tickets often selling out days in advance, the intimate setting ensures every seat feels close enough to touch the magic — and sometimes, guests actually do.

The Show That’s Redefining Hawaiian Nightlife

In a time when so much entertainment feels digital or distant, The Magical Mystery Show reminds audiences that live performance still has the power to astonish. It’s the laughter of strangers sharing disbelief. It’s the flash of a coin that vanishes midair. It’s a magician smiling knowingly as an entire room gasps in sync.

The show’s blend of world-class talent, heartfelt purpose, and sheer fun is drawing audiences from across the Pacific. Whether you’re a family looking for laughter, a couple in search of a one-of-a-kind night out, or simply someone who believes the world could use a little more wonder, there’s a hidden door in Waikiki waiting for you to open it.

And behind it, you’ll find that magic — authentic, human, joyful magic — is alive in Hawaii.

For more information about tickets, showtimes, and bookings, visit: The Magical Mystery Show!.

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