David Copperfield at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

David Copperfield’s MGM Grand show blends large-scale illusions with close-up audience moments. You may see a volunteer join him onstage, then find Copperfield performing a trick within a few feet of your seat. The act also revisits his famous illusion of walking through the Great Wall of China.

I like two things in particular: the mix of grand illusions and audience participation keeps the format from feeling like a string of stage tricks, and the 90-minute running time makes it an easy evening plan without taking over your night.

One consideration: this is a theatrical show with stories, jokes and dramatic lighting, not nonstop magic. Some guests find the pacing slow or the humor awkward, and flashing lights may bother sensitive viewers.

• The Great Wall illusion is among the famous effects Copperfield may recreate, alongside his own versions of classic magic acts.
• Audience participation is built in. A person is chosen at random for almost every illusion, and Copperfield may perform in the audience.
• The show runs 90 minutes without an intermission. Plan restroom and drink stops before you take your seat.
• Several showtimes and seating categories let you fit the performance around other Las Vegas plans.
• The listed price is $82.66 per person. Your ticket includes the show and live entertainment tax, but not drinks or parking.
• Children must be at least five. Those under 18 need to attend with an adult.

At the MGM Grand, the magic shares the stage with a story

Copperfield’s performance at the MGM Grand is more than a succession of tricks. He uses storytelling to connect the illusions, and the show draws on both his personal life and familiar magic routines. That makes the evening feel theatrical, with stretches of narration and humor between the big effects.

The famous Great Wall of China illusion is part of the show’s appeal. Copperfield has made a name with large-scale illusions, and seeing one recreated live gives you a different kind of puzzle from watching a performance on a screen. You can see the stage, the lighting and the people around him, but the method remains hidden.

The show also includes smaller, more personal moments. Copperfield may bring a randomly selected audience member onstage for an illusion, or perform close to your seat while moving through the audience. That variety helps the show feel less distant than a performance confined to the stage.

Expect the tone to shift. Some parts aim for wonder, others for humor or emotion. The story and jokes work for many people, but they are not to everyone’s taste. A few audience members find the comedy awkward or the narrative too drawn out, so it is best to come for the illusions and accept that the connecting material is part of the package.

The theater is inside the MGM Grand casino

The show takes place in the David Copperfield Theater at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. Finding it means crossing the casino floor, so allow time to get from the hotel entrance to the theater rather than assuming the walk will be quick.

From the front desk, the listed directions are to walk through the casino and turn left toward Whiskey Down. Continue left past the M life Desk, and the theater is on your left. If you need help, the box office is open daily from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., though hours can change.

The atmosphere is part of the Las Vegas experience: you are heading from a busy casino into a purpose-built theater for a single live act. The venue has an audience seating arrangement and accessible seats are available. If you need accessible seating, note that request in the special requirements box when booking.

Your ticket has a barcode that can be scanned at the entrance. Make sure you are seated at least 15 minutes before showtime. Seating may not be guaranteed if you arrive later, which is a good reason to build in extra time for the casino walk, not just the performance itself.

Ninety minutes, no intermission

The performance lasts about an hour and a half and has no break. That is a tidy length for an evening activity, but the no-intermission format makes a little planning worthwhile. Use the restroom before entering: there are no restrooms inside the theater. The listed restroom location is across the casino, past Jabbawockeez on the right.

Beverages are available for purchase at the Copperfield bar outside the theater, to the right. Drinks are not included in the ticket price. If you would rather settle in without a last-minute errand, take care of food, drinks and restroom stops before you join the line.

There are multiple performance times, which can help you fit the show around dinner or another activity. The specific time depends on the option you select at checkout, so check it before planning the rest of your evening. The show is a fixed 90 minutes, but your total time commitment will be longer once you include getting to the theater and finding your seat.

What the audience participation adds

A randomly chosen person is brought into the action for almost every illusion. You might be selected, or you may simply watch someone else become part of the performance. If you prefer to stay out of the spotlight, keep in mind that participation is a regular feature, not an occasional surprise.

Copperfield may also move into the audience and perform near a seat. That can make the magic feel immediate: instead of watching only from a distance, you may see an effect unfold close by. Seating location could shape how near you feel to these moments, but no particular seat guarantees a direct interaction.

The show’s participation can create a sense of spontaneity, though the performance itself is carefully staged. Some audience members love the personal touch; others find the interaction or humor uncomfortable. One reported element involving an alien character also struck some people as odd. If you enjoy a little theatrical strangeness, that may be part of the fun. If you prefer sleek, wordless illusion, the show’s spoken and comic sections may feel like a detour.

Is $82.66 good value for this show?

At $82.66 per person, the ticket buys a 90-minute live performance by a magician whose name is closely tied to Las Vegas. It also includes the live entertainment tax, so you are not paying separately for that item. Drinks, parking and valet fees are extra, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided.

The value depends on what you want from a magic show. If you are drawn to large illusions, a recognizable performer and the chance of seeing an effect happen near your seat, the ticket can make a memorable evening. Some people describe the illusions as astonishing and the storytelling as a welcome personal touch. Specific moments that have delighted audiences include a lottery-number trick and a finale involving an email.

If you expect a fast sequence of new tricks with little talking, you may judge the price differently. Some people find the show slow, feel there are too few illusions, or recognize effects they have seen before. Others come away impressed by the production, the scale of the tricks and Copperfield’s delivery. Those contrasting reactions point to a useful rule: pay for the live theater experience, not a promise that every trick will be unfamiliar or every joke will land.

You can choose from several seating categories, but the supplied price does not describe the cost of each category. Compare the available options at checkout and choose the seat that makes sense for your budget. The experience is not simply about being closest to the stage; audience interaction and large effects are part of the show from across the room.

Who is likely to enjoy David Copperfield?

This is a good fit if you are curious about a major Las Vegas magic show, enjoy theatrical storytelling, or want an evening activity with a clear start and finish. Couples and solo visitors can make it a standalone night out, while families with children aged five and older can attend, provided anyone under 18 is with an adult.

For children, the illusions and audience participation may be the main draw. The show is not described as strictly child-focused, however. One parent noted references to sexual situations and getting busy, though not as a major part of the performance. If you are taking younger children, that is worth knowing in advance. The lighting can also include darkness and flashing effects, which may be uncomfortable for some people.

Older teens and adults who want a tightly paced, modern magic showcase may be more divided. Some find the effects astounding; others feel the show leans too much on storytelling, familiar material or humor that does not suit them. If you have watched Copperfield for years, seeing him perform live may carry extra meaning. If you are new to magic, it can still be entertaining, but your enjoyment will depend on whether you like the theatrical style as much as the tricks.

Practical details before you go

The experience is for ages five and up, and every child needs a ticket. There is no lap seating. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Photography and video recording are not permitted inside the theater, including recording devices such as Google Glass. Leave those devices put away so they do not distract performers or the people around you.

The booking is usually made about 27 days in advance on average, but confirmation is subject to availability and is received within 48 hours of booking. The ticket is mobile, and its barcode can be scanned at the theater entrance.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the show’s start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The stated policy also says that if the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book David Copperfield at the MGM Grand if you want a classic Las Vegas night built around big illusions, live audience involvement and a performer with decades of name recognition. The strongest reasons to go are the scale of the effects, the chance of a close-up moment and the personal storytelling woven through the act.

Think twice if you want nonstop tricks, dislike audience participation, or are sensitive to flashing lights and theatrical humor. At $82.66 per person, this is best treated as a ticket to a full live show, not a guarantee that every illusion will be new to you. If that sounds like your kind of evening, choose a showtime that leaves room to reach the theater early and settle in before the lights go down.

FAQ

How long is the David Copperfield show?

The show lasts about 90 minutes and has no intermission.

Where is the David Copperfield Theater?

It is inside the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. From the front desk, walk through the casino, turn left toward Whiskey Down, and continue past the M life Desk. The theater is on your left.

How early should I arrive?

You must be in your seat no later than 15 minutes before the show begins, or seating cannot be guaranteed.

Can I use my mobile ticket to enter?

Yes. The ticket has a barcode that can be scanned at the theater entrance.

What is the minimum age?

Children aged five and older may attend, and each child needs a ticket. Children under five are not permitted, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Are drinks included?

No. Beverages can be purchased at the Copperfield bar outside the theater, to the right.

Can I take photos or record video?

No. Photography and video recording devices are not permitted inside the theater.

Can I cancel my ticket for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.