Photos by Jeff Lorch.
‘Mindplay’ by Vinny DePonto and Josh Koenigsberg. Directed by Andrew Neisler. Produced by Eva Price. Presented by the Huntington Theatre Company, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont St., Boston, MA, through December 1.
By Mike Hoban
There’s no question about it: The feats (tricks?, stunts?) performed by mentalist and self-described mind reader Vinny DePonto during MINDPLAY, his one-man “exploration of the imperfect mind,” are nothing short of astonishing. His ability to correctly “read” the thoughts of the audience members that he calls to the stage – whether through the use of gimmicks, psychological ploys, or (less likely) a supernatural gift – is well worth the price of admission, as are the segments of the performance that seem more like a magic show.
That being said, there are elements to the scripted production (co-written with Josh Koenigsberg) that prevent MINDPLAY from reaching that rarified status of a truly “magical” theatrical experience. DePonto and Koenigsberg have crafted a show that combines audience participation, a mini-lecture on the science of the brain, some game-show-style theatrics involving a giant file cabinet and electronics from the last century, and a warm reflection by DePonto on the role his loving grandparents played in his life before both of them succumbed to Alzheimer’s. If that sounds like a lot packed into a 90-minute show, it is.
DePonto, who looks like a cross between a rabbi and a Smith Brother (of cough drop fame), is an engaging and likable performer, but linking his personal story to the mind-reading performance doesn’t always work as theater, despite some touching moments. It’s more likely that a share at group therapy or a 12-step meeting would be more moving. The enormous file cabinet, apparently meant to symbolize the various memories in our brain, seems superfluous, as do the bits involving cassette recorders and other archaic electronic devices.
Despite the extraneous material, MINDPLAY is a genuinely entertaining spectacle, and gasps and jawdrops are commonplace when DePonto sticks with the mind-reading schtick. Before the show, audience members are instructed to fill out cards with one-word descriptions of a meaningful event in their lives, and the cards are placed in a fishbowl onstage. DePonto selects a card, calls up the audience member and the fun begins. Without giving away the specific routines, one exchange was particularly mind-blowing; DePonto began questioning a 30-something male participant about his life event but abruptly stopped and asked him if he could stop the song that was playing in his head, as it was interfering with his ability to read the subject’s thoughts. The stunned man agreed, and DePonto asked, “It was “Smooth Operator” (by Sade), wasn’t it?” The man nodded, and the audience gasped.
There are many moments like that during the show, and that instance may not be the most awe-inspiring (that would be the final routine). If you’re looking for an intriguing performance before the onslaught of Christmas-themed shows hits the Greater Boston stages, MINDPLAY serves up the magic. For tickets and information, go to: https://www.huntingtontheatre.org/whats-on/mindplay/
