By Hannah Wing-Bonica
Pittsburgh has a history of welcoming magicians, including the famous Harry Houdini, who performed his infamous straight-jack escape trick above Wood Street and Liberty Avenue in 1916. Fast forward to 2026, and this tradition of the Steel City welcoming magicians through Liberty Magic, a hidden gem in downtown Pittsburgh. Liberty Magic typically features magicians from outside of Pennsylvania, and occasionally they’ll showcase Pittsburgh’s magical talent. I Laugh in the Face of Magic stars Michael Misko, a local Pittsburgh-area magician from the Moon (Moon Township, PA, that is).
Misko’s magic tricks are mesmerizing to watch, and they often make you do a double-take, as you try to figure out how he did it. He does everything from rope to card tricks, but with a few twists and turns to keep the audience guessing and thinking. What really sets I Laugh in the Face of Magic apart from typical magic shows is Misko’s candor with the audience. Misko isn’t just a magician; he is also a comedian. He’ll make fun of your reactions to his jokes! He’ll call you out for not laughing at his jokes!
Misko’s humor is a blend of the best of “Seths”: Seth MacFarlane and Seth Rogen. Misko’s Rogen side embraces a bit of self–deprecation, a magician whose tricks might not always go as planned. The MacFarlane side of Misko doesn’t shy away from potty humor, sexual innuendos, and witty comebacks to audience quips. But if you are looking to bring your kids, don’t worry–Misko is great at tailoring his jokes to the general age demographic of his audience. It is a family-friendly magic show after all!
Throughout I Laugh in the Face of Magic, Michael Misko sprinkles in “pixie dust” of little stories about his wife, his children, and his grandfather. And of course, Misko is a magical storyteller (with and without the pixie dust). Most magicians get their interest in magic during their childhood, and Misko is no exception. His grandfather showed a young Misko the wonders of magic–just by making a tiny egg disappear and reappear out of the air.
Seeing a magic show like I Laugh in the Face of Magic fills you with curiosity and amazement. You’ll want to look up how the tricks are done, but you shouldn’t, as it spoils the mystery. If you want a little more behind-the-scenes, there is an option for a VIP experience where you can ask Misko questions and chat about magic.
I Laugh in the Face of Magic is a fun 70-minute magic show with jokes that are guaranteed to make you belly laugh and tricks that will make you wonder. Afterward, you’ll say to yourself (or anyone near you): “That was amazing!”
TICKETS AND DETAILS
Michael Misko’s I Laugh in the Face of Magic is at Liberty Magic in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District through September 26, 2026.
Tickets at: https://trustarts.org/production/107293/list_performances
Liberty Magic is a project of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Reviews
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