For 23 years, Joe Givan and Carol Massie—the duo behind the touring illusion show Dream Masterz—built a loyal following at their Theatre of Dreams in Castle Rock. This June, the veteran pair reopened their doors as The Magic Manor in Sedalia, making their new home inside the historic Victorian building that once housed the beloved restaurant Gabriel’s. Joe and Carol have transformed the property into exactly what they envisioned: an immersive, family-friendly theater and event center on grounds that invite you to stay all afternoon.

Joe recalled, “Fifteen years ago, we were listening to music on Gabriel’s patio thinking this would be the perfect place for a magic venue.”

Originally from Lexington, Ohio, Carol’s journey into magic began at Kent State University, where her athleticism and stage presence as a cheerleader caught the eye of a magician, launching her early career. Meanwhile, Joe, a Greeley native who began practicing magic at age 7, turned professional right after high school.

Joe and Carol did not meet until 1991, when they were performing at Magic Island dinner theater in Houston. They married three years later. Together, they have toured the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan; they were featured in MAGIC magazine in 2015, headlined at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and performed on the hit television series Penn & Teller: Fool Us in 2017. After years of extensive travel, they sought a permanent community and home base in Colorado.

Joe and Carol’s lives outside the theater are incredibly full, centered on family, friends, good food and bicycling. Joe and Carol also share a love of music. Both are talented musicians, with Joe playing the piano and trombone and Carol playing the piano, flute and harmonica. As musicians themselves, they love being on the listening end. “We are concert goers,” said Carol.

The Magic Manor officially launched its public programming with a grand opening on June 13. “Because we have been in the circle with the world’s best magicians for decades, we can draw on that talent and those relationships,” said Joe. The lineup will include comedy nights, guest jugglers, open mics, Sunday ice cream socials and interactive bar magic.

“We want our guests to have a unique experience they have never had before, right in their backyard,” the couple shared. That focus on connection has built a dedicated following. Some patrons have attended nearly every show for more than two decades. It all comes down to the couple’s simple approach to hospitality. “We greet them when they arrive and when they leave. You can just see their smiling faces,” said Carol.

In addition, Wizard Camp, hosted at the theater, offers hands-on magic lessons for students of all ages. Joe and Carol emphasize that mastering illusions is a fantastic way to build self-esteem, coordination and public speaking skills.

The Magic Manor is located at 5450 Manhart Avenue in Sedalia. For more information, visit magic-manor.com or call the box office at 303-660-6799.

 

 

By Liane Davis, photos courtesy of Joe Givan and Carol Massie