Comedian‑magician Justin Willman has played stages across the country, but Phoenix holds a particular draw. The St. Louis native says stepping in front of Valley audiences feels uncannily familiar — almost like performing for people he grew up with.

“It almost feels like a hometown crowd, even though I’m not from Phoenix,” Willman says. “I have so many friends and family who have ended up in Phoenix. Phoenix always feels like the perfect cross‑section of America.”

That comfort — and the city’s reliably enthusiastic audiences — is why Willman chose Phoenix’s historic Celebrity Theatre as the site of his next comedy‑magic special, taping Friday, Oct. 9, and Sunday, Oct. 10. The venue’s in‑the‑round layout, he says, is both a challenge and an opportunity.

“It felt like the perfect place to shoot a special, plus the Celebrity Theatre is historic in the comedy world,” he said. “It’s in the round and there’s really no other venue like it. As a magician, it’s risky with the in‑the‑round stage. It’s so intimate, and my show leans on the audience being a part of it.”

Audience participation is central to Willman’s act. Each night, five or six people are pulled into the show by catching frisbees he tosses into the crowd. Those volunteers often become unexpected scene partners.

“I have to go out of my way to make sure everyone is aware that I don’t know anybody who’s coming up on stage, just because people are suspicious when amazing stuff happens,” he said. “Those people really become co‑stars in the show. It’s a little daunting — it all comes down to who catches the first frisbee that night. But Phoenix never disappoints.”

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Willman’s path to magic began with an accident. At 12, he broke both arms in a bike crash. His doctor suggested card tricks as physical therapy. That was, indeed, a strange prescription that changed his life.

“If it didn’t turn out right, it’s grounds for malpractice for sure,” he said with a laugh. “But it was one of those early life lessons that everything happens for a reason. What might seem like a speed bump could be exactly what you needed.”

Growing up in St. Louis, Willman was surrounded by a robust magic community. He saw Harry Blackstone Jr. perform at the Fox Theater as a child, followed by David Copperfield and Penn & Teller. Local magicians like Randy Kalin and Harry Monti became early mentors.

“Pre‑internet, you couldn’t just type in a search to learn what you wanted to learn,” he said. “You needed to figure out the best question to ask the people who knew. Those mentors were vital.”

As he developed his voice, Willman gravitated toward comedy magic, inspired by performers like Harry Anderson and The Amazing Jonathan.

“Something about being equal parts funny and amazing was the secret sauce for me,” he said.

His career has since spanned hosting gigs, national TV appearances, and his hit Netflix series “Magic for Humans.” The show’s blend of humor, wonder and real‑life vulnerability resonated deeply with viewers.

“The things that resonated most were the things that were real,” he says. “My mom was struggling with Alzheimer’s, so I did a segment about Alzheimer’s and music and magic. People really connected with that.”

After his mother’s death, Willman, his sister, and his father created a foundation in her honor to raise money for Alzheimer’s research.

“It makes the work immensely more meaningful when there’s a bigger goal attached to it,” he says. “Everyone is struggling with something, and it makes people feel less alone when they know you’re working toward the same goal.”

Willman’s life now includes two young children — Jack and Rose, who are both younger than 10. They often wander into his creative process, literally and figuratively.

“You kind of write what you know,” he says. “Becoming a parent brings so much inspiration and comedy.”

After taping the Phoenix special, the family is heading to Spain for a long‑awaited vacation. Willman says he’ll return home ready to start shaping the next chapter of his act.

“I’m excited to keep my eyes and ears open for what inspiration comes for the next show,” he says. “The kids inspire it, too — 100%.”