Nothing Up My Sleeve at Round House Theatre Is Pure Magic

Round House Theatre in Bethesda is currently home to one of the most enchanting evenings in DC-area theatre with the world premiere of Nothing Up My Sleeve, playing through March 15, 2026. This intimate, inventive one-man show stars master illusionist Dendy and is co-written and directed by Aaron Posner, reuniting the creative duo behind Round House's celebrated 2022 production of The Tempest, in which Dendy's magic-infused portrayal of Ariel left audiences spellbound. This time around, the tricks are trickier and the tone more tender.

Nothing Up My Sleeve at Round House Theatre

Nothing Up My Sleeve is not your typical magic show. There are no sequined assistants, no sawing anyone in half, and no Vegas-style razzmatazz. Instead, the production thrives on sleight of hand and conversational candor, offering something far more rare and rewarding — a deeply personal theatrical experience that weaves autobiography with abracadabra. Dendy traces his lifelong relationship with magic, from entertaining family members as a child with prop tricks and a six-year-old's lisp, through his first paying gig at a high-end Missouri restaurant (complete with a fake French accent), to a devastating moment when a mind-reading trick caused real emotional pain and drove him away from magic for years. His eventual return to the craft, sparked by a chance encounter and ultimately leading to his breakthrough in The Tempest, forms the emotional backbone of the evening.

What makes Dendy such a captivating performer is his warmth and accessibility. He greets the audience not like a showman looking to dazzle from a distance, but like a curious, confiding friend who happens to be extraordinarily gifted. His technique is effortless and flawless, whether he is making cards cascade, objects vanish, or coins materialize from thin air. But beyond the dexterity, his fine-tuned acting allows him to move seamlessly between broad humor and genuinely affecting emotional moments. He is funny, charming, and deeply likeable — the kind of performer you would happily watch pull coins out of thin air in any setting, anywhere.

The audience interaction throughout the show is abundant, and it is handled with remarkable grace. Dendy never pressures or antagonizes anyone drawn into his orbit. Instead, every interaction feels safe, comfortable, and genuinely kind. He demonstrates not only his skill at prestidigitation but a deft hand at standup comedy, keeping the energy playful and the mood generous. Those hoping to be called up on stage should try to book seats near the front rows or along the aisle.

The production values elevate the evening well beyond a simple magic act into something properly theatrical. Daniel Conway's scenic and projection design pays loving homage to the music hall and vaudeville tradition, filling the stage with Edison lights, velvet curtains, dusty trunks, top hats, and bentwood chairs. Images of past magic luminaries appear on scrims around the stage, while a large tilted screen at center stage displays childhood photos and jaw-dropping close-ups of Dendy's sleight of hand. Sartje Pickett's original score features breathy, soloistic woodwinds that float in and out without fanfare, underscoring the magic without ever upstaging it. Thom Weaver's lighting is warm and inviting one moment, then sharp and angular the next, perfectly framing dramatic silhouettes and key reveals. Even Jeannette Christensen's costume design adds character, dressing the dandy-ish Dendy in dusty high-waisted trousers, old-timey waistcoats, and playful bowties, with different pairs of shoes marking the passage of time in a charming nod to Mister Rogers.

The second half of the show deepens the evening's emotional resonance by exploring the rich tradition of magic itself — the way tricks are passed down hand-to-hand from one generation of magicians to the next, each performer adding their own personal flair. The legendary Teller, traditionally the silent half of Penn and Teller, even makes a brief video appearance to describe how he passed along a particular illusion that originated with Houdini himself. It is a touching testament to the craft's heritage and the deep reverence Dendy holds for those who came before him.

At its heart, Nothing Up My Sleeve is about connection. Dendy reminds us that without an audience, magic simply cannot exist — it is a partnership built on mutual trust, even if that trust is rooted in willing deception. Throughout his life, magic has been his way of reaching out, bridging gaps, and forging bonds. The show explores questions of perception and trust, the delicious delight of being duped willingly, and the blurry line between what is real and what is impossible. Beneath all the illusions lies something profoundly true about the human desire to wonder.