ABOVE: Chris (L) and Ryan Zubrick flank Marlana LaCivita. Photo via the Zubricks.
ST. PETERSBURG | The Zubrick Magic Theatre will celebrate its first year in St. Petersburg July 29, a milestone that follows more than 170 public performances, exclusive shows and private parties.
Owners and illusionists Chris and Ryan Zubrick brought their unique brand of magic to Tampa Bay after a 13-year run overseas. The husbands performed more than 7,500 shows together while living in Saipan and Guam.
“It’s been a dream of ours to open a theater,” Chris told Watermark last year. “When you look at the word show business, business is the larger word; it takes the most effort. But the reward comes at night when we get to be on stage, finally perform and relax.”
The Zubricks have done that ever since, welcoming growing audiences to mostly sold-out shows. They say the response has been incredibly rewarding.
“A very special moment each evening is meeting patrons in the lobby following our performances,” Ryan says. “Many pose for photos with us and share their exclamations of disbelief and heartwarming comments.”
One such guest was a woman visiting from out of the country. “She had just completed a significant procedure at the Moffitt Cancer Center and wanted to celebrate and recover with magic and laughter,” Ryan recalls. “That was a very poignant moment and one we will not forget.
“We’ve also had a gentleman attend our performance after his younger brother passed away unexpectedly,” he continues. “He just wanted to escape reality and enjoy an evening of entertainment during a very tough time.”
The theater’s staff now includes Tampa native Marlana LaCivita, who recently joined as choreographer, dancer and magic assistant. “She is doing a fabulous job,” Chris says. The Front of House staff includes team members Linda and Diana, who each welcome patrons ahead of each performance.
The Zubricks’ five-year-old son has also joined the illusionists on stage, which Ryan notes has led him to become “quite the celebrity. People love that and we love performing together as a family!”
That’s reflected in their reviews. The Zubricks recently earned a 2022 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for the theatre’s positive reviews on the platform, ranking them number one in St. Petersburg among the city’s other local concerts and shows.
“We’re especially grateful to all our patrons who took the time to write positive reviews about their experiences at the Zubrick Magic Theatre,” Ryan says. “We are honored to have the opportunity to bring smiles to so many faces.”
To celebrate their first year in St. Petersburg, an audience member will be chosen at random this summer to receive a Zubrick Magic Theatre birthday gift bag. It will include an official T-shirt, magic set, gift certificate for a future performance and more.
Each 70-minute performance is currently held without an intermission Thursday-Saturday evenings at 7 p.m., with select Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Additional shows will begin next year.
“We are grateful to the St. Pete community and visitors who have patronized our theater over the past year,” Chris says. “The reviews have been so positive and heartwarming. Seeing our loyal patrons return for a second, third or even fourth visit brings us so much happiness.”
The Zubrick Magic Theatre is located at 1211 1st Ave. N. in St. Petersburg, with box office hours Thurs.-Sat. 6-8:30 p.m. Single tickets are $40 and VIP packages are available for $147. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 1-866-ZUBRICK and visit ZubrickMagic.com.
