Hidden Hochatown Spotlight: The Family Behind Hester’s Theatre of Magic

Hochatown is no stranger to natural wonders, but there’s a new kind of magic captivating visitors at Hester’s Theatre of Magic. We sat down with the Hester's to uncover the story behind the attraction. Hester's Theatre is run by owners Chris and Heather Hester. Join us for a peek behind the curtain with Hochatown's most magical family.

HH (Hidden Hochatown): What inspired you to open Hester’s Theatre of Magic right here in Hochatown?

Chris Hester: I always knew I would open a magic theatre somewhere and the Broken Bow / Beavers Bend area was already special to me. I grew up with my grandparents, who raised me, bringing me here often. Magic theater's tend to be in more touristy areas like Branson, Pidgeon Forge, and of course Vegas, and Hochatown probably wouldn't be an obvious choice for a magic theater but we're a family friendly show and this is a family tourism area so we figured why not? It's a great way to make memories together.

HH: What makes your magic show a must-do for tourists looking to round out their Hochatown vacation?

Chris Hester: I think it's a combination of how interactive and unique it is. And we're a little under the radar so people who discover us see it as a hidden gem. We get a lot of guests who find out about us at the end of their trip and see the show on the way out of town, and so many of those guests tell us it ended up being their favorite thing they did. That's a huge compliment. You'll see that throughout our Google reviews.

Heather Hester: And it's not just a show, it's a full experience. From the time they enter the lobby, there's so much to see and we make it a point to greet every guests and really try to get to know them. Once they're checked in, they're guided to their seat and Chris goes out to meet the audience before the show starts. It's so interactive that people feel seen and acknowledged.

HH: You’ve been a professional magician for over 14 years, but your love for magic started much earlier. Can you take us back to the beginning?

Chris Hester: Oh, absolutely. I was a kid when I saw the NBC specials “World’s Greatest Magic” with magicians like Jeff McBride and David Williamson. That's the first magic I remember seeing. I did see a magician at a western tourist attraction called Bucksin Joe's near Canon City, Colorado but I was too young to remember it. But the first time it hit me, was that TV special. Fast forward, those same magicians who inspired me became my mentors. And my grandparents, who raised me, bought me my first magic kit and kept that fire going.

Heather Hester: I didn't even know Chris was a magician when we met. Somehow he kept that a secret for a while. Magician's are good at that!

HH: What can visitors expect when they step into Hester’s Theatre of Magic?

Chris Hester: The unexpected! But seriously, I think they can expect to have their perception of what magic is, turned upside down. Our show is designed to make you think and feel and it's just as good for the adults as it is for children. Our current season show is called "Made to Wonder" because that's what we're made to do. As humans we tend to remember the moments in life where we're full of wonder and we want to capture and those feelings in our show. We always adapt the show to the size and demographics of the audience. That's why we're be coming popular with bachelorette parties, anniversary couples, and honeymooners. And we get repeat guests because we do change the show often so you can have a unique experience every time. So I'd say, expect to make memories and feel a sense of wonder.

HH: I read your reviews. The reviews are glowing—5 stars across Google and TripAdvisor! What’s the secret to making every show so memorable?

Chris Hester: This is the only secret I'll give away. It’s all about connection. Magic isn’t about fooling people; it’s about sharing wonder. We get everyone involved, from kids to grandparents, and tailor the experience to the audience. My wife, Heather, runs the front of house as well as lights and sound. Our son helps backstage and even performs in the show so people can see we’re a family-owned operation, so it’s personal. We have guests laugh, gasp, cry but in a good way, because of the connection we make with them.

HH: Any special moments from the theater that stand out?

Chris Hester: Too many to list. Just the other night we had the crowd create a random date by having one person name a month, another a day, and another a year. It ended up being a date in the near future and another guest blurted out that it was their planned wedding date. We honestly didn't plan or control that. Things like this just happen because of synchronicity and you just have to roll with it and appreciate it!

Heather Hester: I love when Chris get's kids on stage because they're adorable and unpredictable. I'm usually backstage laughing because of something a kid does or says on stage. It's very easy for them to steal the show and we encourage it! It makes for the best moments because it's unscripted and we're usually laughing right alongside the audience.

HH: Heather, what’s it like working alongside Chris and your son to create a magical experience for tourists?

Heather Hester: Honestly, it's so rewarding to not only get to spend time with my family but to see how much joy and happiness the show brings guests. There's a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes and to see it through and experience the end result, which is all the smiles.

Chris Hester: I'd like to say Heather is truly amazing because she handles so many things from ticketing, concession, merchandise, inventory, greeting guests, setting up parts of the show, running lights and attending to guests needs. And that doesn't even scratch the surface. As a family owned business, we both wear a lot of hats from social media and marketing, to cleaning, performing maintenance, customer service.. but she's phenomenally talented and a very hard worker. There's zero chance I could do this without her.

HH: What’s next for Hester’s Theatre of Magic? Any surprises up your sleeve?

Chris Hester: We have a big announcement that we can't reveal yet but when the time is right, it will be huge so stay tuned! We're certainly not going anywhere and plan to stay in Hochatown permanently. Besides that, we're gearing up for the Christmas season with a whole new show that will run from Nov 8th through New Years. And starting December 1st, Hester's Theatre of Magic will be both of our full time jobs so we're excited to be fully on board!

HH: Last question: why should every Hochatown visitor add Hester’s Theatre of Magic to their itinerary?

Chris Hester: It's unique, fun, and supports small business! See our reviews on Google and Trip Advisor and get your tickets in advance at hestermagic.com!