Local magician JR Russell is hoping to magically repair the Whidbey Playhouse this weekend.

Russell, who is a retired Navy captain, will be starring in a magic show to raise funds for the theater.

The magic show is Saturday, Oct. 25, with showings at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. The matinee show is geared toward kids and costs $4 for kids and $6 for adults, while the night show has more for the adults, and tickets are $5 for kids and $10 for adults.

Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the playhouse’s Raise the Roof project.

The project, which began in 2012, is aimed at upgrading the 48-year-old nonprofit theater, which produces five shows per season and hosts a variety of other productions.

Russell, who has been a magician on Whidbey Island since 2011, got the idea to put on the show when he was sitting and talking with Hector Powell, playhouse office manager Janis Powell’s husband and the facilities manager at the playhouse.

Russell mentioned that the playhouse still needed some renovations, considering that it was originally a church and the original framework isn’t perfect for a theater. So he and Hector Powell decided it was time for another magic show that would benefit Raise the Roof. He put on the first magic show to benefit the program in 2012.

Right now, Janis Powell said, the playhouse is looking to expand its fly space, or above-stage space, which would give the crew more options for set design and other effects during theater productions.

Russell invited three of his magician friends, Mark Paulson, Jim Earnshaw and Brian Cook. Cook and Russell have both performed in Las Vegas. Together, the four magicians will use all kinds of magic and illusions during the shows.

“They do it for the love of doing magic,” Janis Powell said. “And helping us out.”