Illusionist Returns to Queens for Two Shows

Three times is a rare feat in the world of magic. Vitaly Beckman is one of only five acts to have successfully stumped Penn & Teller on their CW series, Fool Us. His victories occurred in 2016, 2021, and 2025.

Beckman returns to Queens Theatre this month for two performances. The show, titled VITALY: An Evening of Wonders, takes place on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. Both shows are held at The Claire Shulman Theater, located at 14 United Nations Ave. South in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

The illusionist holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering. His parents encouraged him to pursue that field, hoping for a practical career path. He designed the degree with the intention of never using it, yet the technical training informs his stage work. He designs and builds his own illusions from scratch.

In the 2025 episode, Beckman created a painting that matched, item for item, the objects a guest host had just arranged on stage. Penn & Teller could not explain how he did it. Penn told Beckman, "This is so complicated and so original, we don't have any experience with it."

The new show features photos and paintings that appear to come to life. It also includes illusions where faces disappear from audience members' driver's licenses. Beckman describes the performance as a blend of art and illusion that traces his personal journey. He aims to remind audiences of the beauty in everyday life.

Beckman argues that artificial intelligence cannot replicate the experience of live magic. "People assume that in the age of AI nothing is hidden anymore, that every secret is one prompt away. But you can't generate the feeling of watching something impossible happen a few feet from you. That's the point of an Evening of Wonders," he said. He views his work as a bridge between imagination and reality, a role he believes AI cannot fully replace.

Tickets for the two shows are priced between $40 and $45. This cost includes a $2 per-ticket service fee. The show is recommended for audiences ages 12 and older. Tickets are available at queenstheatre.org.