CHRIS IMMERSES HIMSELF IN THE WORLD OF MAGIC
February 1989
Chris, originally from Laingsburg, Michigan, began his magical journey with a cereal box prize—an enchanting magic trick that captured his fascination. His parents supporting his interests by taking him to Abbott's Magic Shop in the “Magic Capital of the World,” Colon, Michigan, where he honed his skills and acquired his first magic tricks.
RYAN EMBARKS ON HIS MAGICAL JOURNEY
April 1991
Originally from Edwardsburg, Michigan, Ryan was introduced to the art of magic through a birthday gift—a magic set that ignited his passion. He captivated his family with performances of timeless classics like the Linking Rings and the Cups and Balls effect. With his own pocket money, Ryan amassed a collection of Milton Bradley's 'Magic Works' tricks which he practiced to perfection.
RYAN JOINS THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS
October 1996
Ryan joined the oldest and most prestigious magical organization in the world, the Society of American Magicians. The society was founded in 1902 in a New York city magic shop.
THE TWO YOUNG ILLUSIONISTS COMPETE IN MAGIC COMPETITIONS
August 2002
Unbeknownst to each other, Chris & Ryan independently competed in various magic competitions. Their journeys intersected at the "65th Annual Get-Together" hosted by Abbott's Magic Shop in Colon, Michigan. It was only many years later, while browsing through old photographs, that they discovered their shared presence on stage during the awards ceremony.
RYAN PERFORMS IN THE “RAZZLE DAZZLE SEARCH FOR MAGICAL KIDS CONTEST”
November 1997
Ryan was chosen as a finalist in the “Razzle Dazzle Search for Magical Kids Contest” sponsored by Kellogg’s cereal. Along with five other young aspiring magicians from across the nation, Ryan got the treat of a lifetime when he and his family were given an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas and the chance to perform at the Lance Burton Theatre inside the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino.
CHRIS JOINS THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF MAGICIANS
December 2002
Chris becomes a member of the prestigious International Brotherhood of Magicians, the world's largest organization of magicians, established in 1922. The organization boasts nearly 11,000 members across 88 countries.
IN JAPAN, CHRIS THRILLS AUDIENCES AT A THEME PARK
May 2004
Chris captivated audiences in Nagasaki, Japan, during an eight-month contract at "Huis Ten Bosch," a Dutch-inspired theme park. From strolling close-up magic throughout the park to mesmerizing stage acts of manipulation and grand illusion, he delivered five shows a day, six days a week, leaving park guests spellbound.
A DOUBLE-BOOKING BRINGS THIS DUO TOGETHER
June 2005
Chris & Ryan, both pursuing magic individually, unexpectedly found themselves double-booked for the same event. Rather than compete for the spotlight, they embraced the situation and swiftly formed a two-man act, captivating the audience when they took the stage together. A seamless fusion of their talents marked the beginning of their magical partnership.
RYAN GRADUATES FROM MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
May 2007
Ryan initially pursued Chemical Physics at Michigan State University, but soon realized his true passion lay in expressing his creativity. He swiftly changed his major to Technical Theatre and in 2007, he graduated with Honors, earning a degree in Technical Theater with an emphasis on Theatrical Lighting Design.
ENTERTAINING INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCES ON THE ISLAND OF SAIPAN
June 2007
Chris & Ryan co-produced and headlined "The Magic of Saipan" at a dinner theatre in Saipan, the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands. Their initial two-year contract extended to an impressive 8-year run, thrilling international audiences in a 250-seat venue. Their show would feature beautiful Las Vegas showgirls and majestic Bengal tigers.
TYING THE KNOT… HOPEFULLY, ESCAPE PROOF
October 2013
After 8 years of shared love and treasured moments, Chris & Ryan joyously tied the knot on the tropical island of Saipan. Amidst the vibrant hues of hibiscus and the enchanting fragrance of plumeria, they exchanged heartfelt vows, surrounded by the loving presence of their cherished family and friends.
RELOCATING TO THE ISLAND OF GUAM
February 2015
Following Saipan, Chris & Ryan ventured to the tropical island of Guam, a U.S. territory in Micronesia. There, they co-produced and headlined their spectacular show simply called "Zubrick!" Boasting grand-scale illusions, an ensemble of 10-Las Vegas showgirls, 10-Chinese acrobats, and 6-Bengal tigers, their performance captivated audiences for five memorable years. Unfortunately, the show's run was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, after entertaining over 2-million people in a 500-seat dinner theatre across 7,500 performances.
OLIVER MAKES HIS GRAND ENTRANCE
July 2017
A truly magical moment: Oliver, their son, was born through the incredible gift of surrogacy, with Ryan's sister selflessly becoming the surrogate, and their best friend generously donating her eggs.
THE MERLIN AWARD
January 2018
Chris & Ryan were honored with the prestigious Merlin Award for "Best Family Magic Show" by the International Magicians Society. Often referred to as the "Oscar of Magic," the Merlin Award is a testament to their unparalleled talent, showmanship, originality, and skill. Previous esteemed recipients include Criss Angel, Siegfried & Roy, Penn & Teller, Doug Henning, and David Copperfield.
CONSTRUCTING THE ZUBRICK MAGIC THEATRE
January 2021
Chris & Ryan collaborated with designers, architects, and contractors for over six months to bring The Zubrick Magic Theatre to life. Starting as an empty canvas, the theater evolved from a bare concrete space into a warm and captivating performance venue, designed to be intimate and inviting for live magical entertainment.
THE DEBUT PERFORMANCE IN ST. PETERSBURG
July 2021
The Zubrick Magic Theatre premiered on July 29, 2021. Illusionists Chris & Ryan have since captivated sold-out audiences with mind-boggling performances that leave their audience in awe, wondering, “How did they do that?!”
FUTURE OF THE ZUBRICK MAGIC THEATRE
The Zubrick Magic Theatre's thriving success keeps audiences spellbound, leaving them to explore the limitless potential that lies ahead. With Illusionists Chris & Ryan captivating the St. Petersburg community, there's an eager anticipation of countless years filled with jaw-dropping performances that defy belief and stretch smiles to their limits. The theater's magical journey is far from over, assuring that it will continue to captivate and mesmerize for many more years to come.