Step inside Magique in Paradise and you’ll find yourself in a theater that feels like a secret: 42 seats, all tucked away in Englewood, Florida.
Mike Sears created this venue from scratch, using over thirty years of performance experience to craft every aspect. He’s spent a lifetime entertaining crowds around the world, especially in the high-stakes world of corporate events. But here, you’re not just part of the audience; you’re in on the action.
Your evening starts on a high note, walking the red carpet and posing for photos before you even sit down. In the lobby, Mike’s already busy with card tricks, lighting up the room and pulling you right into the show before it’s even begun. Then you settle into the real magic: plush leather seats, a parlor show that fuses mind-reading, illusion, and the feel of a big Vegas production.
Of course, “Magique in Paradise” is the star attraction. But Mike refuses to let his show get stale. One week, he’s channeling Houdini in “Houdini: Beyond the Grave.” Next, he’s introducing fresh acts, always keeping things unpredictable for repeat visitors.
A Little Backstory
Mike’s roots in magic run deep. He got started in the business thanks to a family friend who opened an amusement park. He remembers those early days: three magic shows every Saturday, two on Sunday, every summer. Winter? Forget it, as frozen fingers don’t mix with card tricks.
Life took some wild turns. High school recruiters heavily recruited Mike to play football, and he followed his brother’s footsteps. His parents, both teachers, emphasized security: job, pension, benefits. That’s how Mike wound up at West Point. Army football was demanding: 20.5 credits in civil engineering on top of three hours a day on the field, but the experience was extraordinary. Mike ended up sitting with President Reagan in the Oval Office. He shared meals with legends like Walter Cronkite, Yogi Berra, and Catfish Hunter, all because of his journey through Army football. Walter Cronkite, especially, left an impression. “Elegant, gracious—just a remarkable man,” Mike says.
For about eight years, magic had to take a back seat while Mike focused on military and football commitments. Still, he made some history, maybe the only freshman magician ever to perform at Eisenhower Hall, thanks to an honest note about his “magician” hobby on his paperwork.
Eventually, the itch to perform came back. As a test pilot in Virginia, he squeezed in time to audition at Busch Gardens, changing out of his flight suit to perform magic several nights a week. In 1989, he landed his first corporate show; the custom prop he built back then is still in his toolkit today. Soon, he was performing at 35 corporate gigs a year, traveling the country while running a business.
The Move to Florida
A friend opened a cozy 50-seat theater in Venice, and Mike joined him for a run of shows until his friend passed away after a long battle with cancer. Mike bought the equipment, but with his packed schedule, it sat in storage for years until now.
Finding the right spot for Magique in Paradise wasn’t easy. One day, while his dentist worked on his teeth, Mike asked about the rent. A little neighborhood chat later, he discovered his dentist owned the building, three vacant units with the roofs torn off by a storm. It was a blank slate. Mike rebuilt everything from scratch, adapting the space for ADA compliance, tearing out and rebuilding restrooms, redesigning the stage, the whole bit.
Now, Magique in Paradise is alive and buzzing. Every show, every audience, helps keep this magical corner of Englewood open and thriving. If you enjoy magic, tell someone. Tell everyone. That’s how Magique in Paradise keeps the magic (and the lights) going.
The theater’s at 2411 S McCall Rd, Suite E, in Englewood. If you want a night out that lingers long after it’s done, this is where you want to be.
For more information, click here or call 757-287-0622
