Vinny DePonto's "Mindplay"
Looking for mind-bending fun, laughter, and mystery? Get your tickets to MindPlay, the thrilling Off-Broadway show starring mentalist Vinny DePonto. More than a magic show, it’s an adventure that will leave you questioning everything you think you know about the power of the mind!
“What’s on your mind?” That question is written across the curtain as the audience enters the theater for Mindplay, playing now through April 20, 2025 at the Greenwich House Theater in New York City. The answers to that question are what are revealed over the show's 90 minute run time.
Magician and mentalist Vinny DePonto isn’t content with merely reading minds, his one-man show delves into the shared experiences we often keep hidden, blending magic and storytelling into an evening that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
The concept of Mindplay, much like the show itself, splits neatly into two components: the “mind” and the “play.”
DePonto’s magic is the beating heart of the production, showcasing a level of craftsmanship that elevates his performance beyond mere tricks. Each act is a narrative journey, complete with rising action, climax, and resolution. Despite relying on variations of a similar illusion, DePonto keeps each reveal fresh and surprising, largely thanks to the diverse participants he invites onstage. Audience members lend their fears, memories, and loved ones to the performance, making them as integral to the show’s success as DePonto himself.
Audience participation is central to Mindplay, and DePonto carefully establishes trust early on. Those hesitant to share personal information—though it’s mostly superficial—are invited to leave before the performance begins. He candidly acknowledges the artifice of his craft, admitting he cannot read minds outside the context of his show. This transparency, also present in his 2014 Drama Desk-nominated production Charlatan, where he revealed and then subverted the mechanics of his illusions, is a hallmark of his work.
The “play” aspect, focused on storytelling, is less cohesive. While the premise of exploring the human mind is compelling, the narrative occasionally meanders. DePonto’s journey into his own subconscious—revealing fears and painful memories—could serve as a strong through-line, but it’s diluted by tangential ideas. For instance, a fascinating aside about parasites manipulating mice brains, while engaging, functions more as a clever segue to the next trick than as a meaningful narrative thread.
One of the show’s more intriguing concepts is the “mind palace,” a memory technique that involves associating information with emotionally significant locations. This idea becomes the emotional centerpiece of the finale, but its impact might have been greater with deeper integration throughout the show. While the storytelling reaches for emotional resonance, it occasionally stumbles, leaving some moments underdeveloped.
What Mindplay may lack in narrative finesse, it more than compensates for in sheer entertainment value. DePonto’s charm and ingenuity shine, making the production one of the most engaging magic shows you’re likely to see. The inventive set design by Sibyl Wickersheimer is seamlessly incorporated into the performance, and Kathy Ruvuna’s sound design plays a critical role in enhancing audience interactions. Andrew Neisler’s inventive direction ties these elements together with polish and precision.
Ultimately, Mindplay is as much about the audience as it is about DePonto, making each performance a unique experience. While it may falter in storytelling, Mindplay remains a masterclass in magic, leaving audiences dazzled and eager for more.
Tickets and Info
MindPlay is currently playing Off-Broadway, and tickets are available online. Don’t miss your chance to experience this mind-bending show – who knows, maybe Vinny will read your mind before the night’s over!
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