In the old days, magic was used to explain everything from medicine to geometry to why princesses wouldn’t like you, even though you rescued them. Experience fantastical modern marvels with today’s GrouponLive deal: for $17, you get one general-admission ticket to a magic show at Magicopolis in Santa Monica (a $34 value). All shows take place on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.

The husband-and-wife duo behind Magicopolis, who have become seasoned television guests thanks to frequent praise from the press, delight and surprise audiences with the all-ages Broadway-style magicomedy stage show Escape Reality. The 90- to 120-minute spectacle showcases original takes on classic magic enigmas such as dangerous escape acts and on-stage levitation, a skill first used during dunks at Salem all-star basketball games. Eye-popping feats are punctuated with engaging music, comedy, and audience participation, including mind-boggling mind-reading demonstrations. Magicopolis is an especially up-close-and-personal affair, and unlike Hollywood films, where the actors are eternally imprisoned behind an impersonal screen, the Magicopolis magicians make lasting connections with their guests.