Mindplay

Vinny DePonto in his “Mindplay” at the Greenwich House Theater (Photo credit: Jeff Lorch)

Mentalist Vinny DePonto’s Mindplay is an incredible evening of magic, mystery, psychology and philosophy. Unlike most shows by mentalists, DePonto has a theory to spin about our memories and our minds. While Mindplay has some jaw-dropping events, it also leaves you with something important to ponder. His current show Mindplay, previously seen in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., is now at the Greenwich House Theater for an extended run.

When the audience enters the theater, they are asked to fill out a slip of paper with one word that has been on their mind. Part of the show is made up of audience participation and these slips of paper come into play. Another part of the show written by DePonto and Josh Koenigsberg recounts DePonto’s life with mentalism, his childhood, his memories, his studies and his discoveries about the mind. He begins by discussing the “memory palace,” the way in which the mind catalogs our memories. The remarkable set by Sibyl Wickersheimer which is revealed when a curtain is opened is a wall of 146 lockers which resemble the way the mind works. DePonto opens some of these and removes items while some of the lockers seem to have a mind of their own and open without his doing anything.

Vinny DePonto in his “Mindplay” at the Greenwich House Theater (Photo credit: Chris Ruggerio)

DePonto tells us about how he became acquainted with magic through his grandfather. He then talks about his studies and tricks he has learned over the years. Psychology has guided him and led him to new discoveries. He demonstrates some of his ideas using shadow play to let us visualize how the mind can enhance memories.

One early event has DePonto demonstrating how the mind can recall the most minute memory using a complete volume of the works of Shakespeare. Other portions of the show cause audience members to reveal things on their minds that he guesses. Ultimately, the episodes become more and more elaborate and the props prove more and more uncanny.

Vinny DePonto in his “Mindplay” at the Greenwich House Theater (Photo credit: Jeff Lorch)

Smoothly directed by Andrew Neisler, the acts in the show become more difficult as the evening proceeds. When it is over, you find yourself asking “How did he do that?” and find it difficult to wrap your mind about what you have seen. You will also have a more healthy respect for the capabilities of the mind no matter how DePonto accomplishes his act.

Mindplay (through April 20, 2025)

Greenwich House Theater, 27 Barrow Street, off Seventh Ave. South, in Manhattan

Running time: one hour and 45 minutes without an intermission

For tickets, visit http://www.mindplaynyc.com