Kupanaha is a popular magic dinner theater located in Lahaina, Maui. It is a captivating and interactive experience that combines illusion, comedy, and delicious dining. The word "Kupanaha" itself means "astonishing" in Hawaiian, perfectly describing the mesmerizing performances that take place at this theater. At Kupanaha, guests are treated to an evening filled with wonder and entertainment. The theater showcases the incredible talents of David and Lea Ann Copperfield, a husband and wife team who have been performing magic for over 30 years. Their show is filled with mind-boggling illusions, expert sleight of hand, and audience participation that will leave you questioning what is real and what is not.
The Maui Concierge
Kupanaha. It takes nine words in the English language to define this one, seemingly simple Hawaiian word: surprising, strange, wonderful, amazing, extraordinary, unaccountable, marvelous, astonishing situation. After experiencing a performance of this newly revamped magic dinner theater At Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel, my friend Steph and I agree: “That pretty much covers it!”
Starring renowned Maui magicians Jody Baran and Kathleen, and featuring the Kupanaha Dancers, the production was four years in the making until its premiere in April 2011. Titled “Seven Magicians Came to Hawai‘i and One Stayed,” the show features classic illusions from the repertoires of seven of the world’s greatest magicians who visited Hawai‘i in the last century, as well as an array of Jody’s original creations.
The magical evening begins at 4:30 p.m., when we gather outside the hotel’s Kanahele Room. We’re warmed up by Holden, a young, congenial, local boy who wows us with rope, ring, and card tricks, while enlisting plenty of fun audience participation. When it’s time to enter the theater, Stage Manager Tim asks if anyone needs special assistance with being seated. “If you have any trouble walking—now this is before the Mai Tais, not after—I’m here to help,” he quips.
After a quick photo op (photos are available for sale after the show and may be autographed by Jody and Kathleen), Steph and I are given the choice of a Blue Hawaiian or Mai Tai with rum; both come embellished with mandatory paper umbrellas. Seating in the intimate theater is at round tables, and we’re joined by John and Joyce from Arizona, and Joan and Mark from Wisconsin.
Food selections for the three-course dinner are made in advance at time of booking. White-gloved servers efficiently bring our appetizers: grilled vegetable bruschetta for Steph, and a Kalua pork quesadilla on flatbread for me. Both are yummy little creations that leave us anticipating great things from our entrées. The Kupanaha Dancers perform a spirited traditional hula, featuring drums and conch shell, honoring travelers to our great state, as well as the sea, land, people and kupanaha of Hawai‘i.
Throughout the dinner service, Holden comes to each table and performs skillful close-up magic: a fun trick with three upside-down cups and a moving ball, and another clever trick where he puts the ball in his pocket and it somehow ends up in one of the cups. Amazing! Meanwhile, our entrées arrive. Steph has selected the tenderloin steak and shrimp, and it’s nicely presented with two grilled jumbo shrimp balanced atop a perfectly medium rare steak, all on a mound of creamy mashed potatoes. My seared fresh island fish is a generous portion of seasoned red snapper; it’s served on a bed of rice and cloaked in a tasty sweet chili black bean sauce. The Blue Hawaiians and Mai Tais are unlimited, and the wait staff is quick to replenish.
On center stage a single wahine clad in a gorgeous purple and green dress, and wearing a smile as beautiful as her costume, performs a lovely traditional hula while holding a gourd. Two other dancers mirror her movements on the side stages. When our desserts are served, Steph enjoys her Pina Colada cheesecake with caramelized pineapples, and I savor the fresh fruit plate that’s elegantly presented in a pineapple ring. Both desserts are adorned with fresh orchids.
It’s time for the show to begin! Jody and Kathleen take the stage—he’s dramatically attired in a classic magician’s black tuxedo with tails; she’s dressed similarly in a long, black dress with purple ruffles that match his boutonnière. Their outfits provide a perfect backdrop for flawlessly performed illusions involving a single white dove and multiple brightly colored scarves, a classic shredded newspaper trick, and a clever card and hat trick. When Jody leaves the stage to prepare for the next act, Kathleen playfully “scolds” him for forgetting to do the salt trick. Not wanting to let us, or Kathleen down, Jody maintains a neutral expression while seemingly endless streams of salt flow from his hands. It’s the first of many “how’d he do that?” moments.
The dancers once again take the stage to perform a hula taking us back to the time of ancient Hawai‘i, one full of myths and legends. In this exciting dance, wahine dressed in fiery red costumes and kane in traditional loin cloths portray the story of Pele, the volcano goddess.
In the first of several illusions inspired by the master magicians of the world, Jody takes the stage in aloha wear (he jokes about being dressed in “Hawaiian formal wear”) and performs his version of Harry Houdini’s Great Escape. Amanda from Minnesota is recruited to buckle Jody’s straightjacket, from which he manages to free himself in fairly short order.
Jody works with audience member Jack from North Dakota on a disappearing watch trick where boxes within boxes are opened until finally (spoiler alert) Jody opens a can of pork and beans containing the timepiece. Next to me, John blurts out: “How’d he do that?” See what I mean?
In their version of Howard Thurston’s Levitation of the Island Princess, Jody has us holding our collective breath as Kathleen rises several feet above the platform where she’d been lying supine only moments earlier. While a cloud of smoke swirling above his head, Jody passes a ring over Kathleen to prove there are no wires holding her aloft. After lowering her back to the platform, Jody deadpans, “that was certainly uplifting,” and is rewarded by a generous round of applause.
A tribute to the great Long Tack Sam from Beijing, China (Jody tells us there were many who tried to copy Sam’s tricks, including one named “Foo Ling Yu”—ouch!), involves dancers in shiny black and red Mandarin pantsuits demonstrating mesmerizing plate spinning skills, while Holden reappears in a black Chinese robe to perform captivating ring tricks, all accompanied by clanging Chinese gongs.
Jody tells us his show-closing Sawing a Lady in Half illusion is the same trick that was performed more than 100 years ago by Charles Carter. Jody straps Kathleen on an old operating table that has straps used to hold patients down and holes for drainage (yuck!), and places two wooden boxes over her. He dramatically chops through the middle of the boxes with a huge meat cleaver saying, “The hard part is putting her back together again. You shouldn’t try these things at home—if you don’t believe me, you can ask my half brother.” Kathleen emerges unscathed, and we all respond enthusiastically with lots of hand clapping and whistling.
Their hana hou act, called “Stop the Press,” has Jody running Kathleen, who’s dressed as a mermaid, through an old-fashioned printing press. He “prints” her out on a long piece of one-dimensional laminated paper, then restores her to her original three-dimensional being. Talk about saving the best for last!
Following the show, tablemate John says, “It was excellent! Very good food, and I enjoyed learning about the history of magic.” Steph says, “The illusions really wowed me.” Jody and Kathleen are outside the theater to meet, greet, and autograph. As Ed Sullivan would have said, it was a “really good show.”
Kupanaha… Maui Magic for All Ages!
kupanaha magic and dining show on Maui-Hawaii, Luxury Home Rental, Vacation Destination Hawaii Hideaways would love for you to enjoy an evening of cutting edge illusions and sleight-of-hand magic tricks, legends of mythical Hawaii illustrated through hula and chant, specialty drinks from the Volcano Bar and incredible cuisine!
Kupanaha is the Hawaiian word for ‘amazing’ and ‘marvelous,’ and this magical dinner show definitely fulfills that meaning. To complement the show, the Food and Beverage staff has developed bewitching drink concoctions and a menu that features the award-winning cuisine of Executive Chef Thomas Muromoto.
Add this to your to do list while visiting Maui! You will be amazed and completely satisfied. If you need assistance with booking this event, please visit us. Hawaii Hideaways staff are standing by waiting to assist you with you! If you need accommodations as well as activity bookings we can help you with that as well! Take a look at one of our breathtaking luxury vacation homes located on the island of Maui we like to call “House of Life”. We have a wide variety of luxury home rentals throughout the Hawaiian islands.
Recent Posts
- 4 Stunning Natural Wonders to Experience in Hawaii
- Which Hawaiian Island Should I Visit?
- How To Hire A Personal Chef in Hawaii
- Hawaii Luxury Car Rentals | How To Rent An Exotic Car In Hawaii
- Sailing Between Hawaiian Islands | How To Have A Sailboat Adventure
Kupanaha magic dinner theater
Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawai`i – January 22, 2008 This Valentine’s Day, Thursday, February 14th, Kaanapali Beach Hotel offers a selection of romantic events for Maui sweethearts. Choose from an exquisite dinner in the Tiki Terrace Restaurant, or the excitement of our Kupanaha Dinner & Magic Show. Whichever venue they choose, each lady will receive a long-stemmed rose.
Tiki Terrace Restaurant – Reservations 667-0124
Enjoy open-air dining in a relaxed atmosphere, a hula show, and romantic music for dancing under the stars.
Executive Chef Tom Muromoto’s special Valentine menu presents his Taste of Lahaina award-winning dishes. Guests will select from a special menu of the Best Seafood, Entrée and Best in Show winners like rock shrimp poke appetizer, koala lamb chops, and seared fresh island snapper with crab. Top off the evening with Chef Muromoto’s Taste of Lahaina Best of Show dessert, Banana Caramel Eruption (warm fudge brownie with a melted chocolate center and topped with macadamia nut ice cream, flowing with bananas in a caramel sauce).
Dinner is $59.95 per person and includes a glass of Champagne or Wine.
Kupanaha: Dinner & Magic Show – Reservations 667-0128
Kupanaha Dinner & Magic Show features the stories of Pele the fire goddess and Kamapua`a, whose legends are woven into magic throughout the show in the dance and chant of Maui’s award-winning hula halau, Kano`eau Dance Academy. It is a special evening of wonderful entertainment as Maui’s Magical Family, Jody & Kathleen Baran and their daughters, mesmerize you with incredible illusions.
Tableside magic accompanies a three-course gourmet meal. Guests select a main entrée from the following choices: Fresh Island Snapper, Shrimp & Tenderloin, Grilled Chicken with Shrimp or marinated Tofu with sautéed Vegetables.
Prices for this special night are: $89 for Gold Circle seating (front row tables), $79 for adult general seating. Special kama`aina and children’s pricing is available. Check-in time is 4:30 p.m., and doors open at 4:45 p.m.
Their show is filled with mind-boggling illusions, expert sleight of hand, and audience participation that will leave you questioning what is real and what is not. The theater itself is intimate, allowing for an up-close and personal experience with the performers. Guests are seated at tables surrounding the stage, ensuring that no matter where you are in the theater, you will have a great view of the magic happening right before your eyes.
The setting is cozy and inviting, with a warm and friendly atmosphere that makes you feel like you are part of the show. In addition to the incredible magic, Kupanaha also offers a delicious dinner as part of the experience. The menu features a variety of mouth-watering options, including fresh seafood, succulent steaks, and decadent desserts. The talented staff at Kupanaha ensures that every meal is prepared with care and attention to detail, making dining at the theater an unforgettable experience in itself. Overall, Kupanaha magic dinner theater is a must-visit for anyone looking for a night of enchantment and delight. Whether you are a fan of magic or simply seeking a unique and entertaining evening, this theater is sure to exceed your expectations. Prepare to be amazed, inspired, and thoroughly entertained as you step into the world of Kupanaha..
Reviews for "The Fascinating History of Kupanaha Magic Dinner Theater"
1. Mike - 1 star
I was really disappointed with the Kupanaha magic dinner theater. The magic tricks were outdated and didn't impress me at all. The overall performance lacked the energy and excitement that I was expecting from a magic show. The dinner part was also a letdown with mediocre food and slow service. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for an entertaining and enjoyable evening.
2. Emily - 2 stars
I attended the Kupanaha magic dinner theater with high hopes but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The tricks were predictable and I've seen better magic performances on YouTube. The show itself lacked creativity and originality. The food served during dinner was tasteless and overpriced. The entire experience was underwhelming and I wouldn't waste my time or money on this place again.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
The Kupanaha magic dinner theater was a huge disappointment for me. The magic tricks were cheesy and poorly executed. The performers seemed unenthusiastic and it felt like they were just going through the motions. The dinner was mediocre at best, with limited options and average taste. I would highly recommend seeking other entertainment options in the area instead of wasting your time here.