2.5 out of 5 stars

Jamie Allan is quite the skilled magician, but his plodding show, “Amaze,” falls short of the title. A reflection on falling in love with magic while growing up in 1980s England, the self-indulgent and slow “Amaze” doesn’t justify its nearly two-hour runtime. And while the show is admirably family-friendly, references to “The NeverEnding Story” or the original “Star Wars” won’t make sense to younger audiences. Plus, many of the close-up illusions aren’t grand enough for the stage. Allan does incorporate his signature smart device-based tricks from a previous show, but they feel incongruous in the mix of things. — Justin McCallum

At New World Stages, through Feb. 22, 2026; amazemagic.com. (Review date: Oct. 14, 2025)