THE HUNTINGTON PRESENTS A MIND-READING MASTER IN MINDPLAY THIS NOVEMBER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Gabrielle Jaques, Publicist
617-273-1520
PHOTOS available for download here
Members of the press, RSVP here
THE HUNTINGTON PRESENTS A MIND-READING MASTER IN MINDPLAY THIS NOVEMBER
See the mind-bending, gasp-inducing experience where your thoughts play a leading role as a special presentation at The Huntington this November
(BOSTON) – Following sold-out, critically acclaimed extended runs at The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, and Arena Stage in Washington D.C, Mindplay comes to The Huntington in Boston this November. Mindplay is a mind-bending, gasp-inducing experience that masterfully blurs the lines between illusion and reality, and is created and performed by Drama Desk-nominated mentalist Vinny DePonto, written by Vinny DePonto and Josh Koenigsberg, directed by Andrew Neisler, and produced by Eva Price. Mindplay will perform at The Huntington’s Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA (527 Tremont St) from Wednesday, November 13 – Sunday, December 1, 2024.
In this Huntington Presents addition to the 2024-2025 season at The Huntington, Mindplay invites audiences to an unforgettable experience infused with intrigue and mystery. Theatre maker and mentalist Vinny DePonto guides participants on a jaw-dropping, interactive journey as he reads minds while revealing his own. Hailed as a “warmly inviting…gem of a performance” by BroadwayWorld, Mindplay masterfully blurs the line between illusion and reality and investigates the surprising nature of memory.
“We’re thrilled to host Mindplay at the Calderwood Pavilion,” says Calderwood Pavilion Manager Katie Most. “I’m so excited that Boston audiences will get to play a role in this incredible, interactive experience of theatre and love every night!”
The work of theatre maker and mentalist Vinny DePonto uses a combination of psychological tricks, visual art, and immersive storytelling. His Off Broadway show Charlatan was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. He is also a member of the Bessie Award–winning theatre group Third Rail Projects. His solo work has been presented by Ars Nova, American Conservatory Theater, American Repertory Theater, and The Orchard Project. In addition to his live performances, DePonto’s consulting work was featured in the most recent production of Angels in America on Broadway, in Lincoln Center’s Ghostlight, and in hit television shows on the Discovery Channel, NBC, and Netflix.
Mindplay will perform for a limited run of 20 performances November 13 – December 1, and makes an excellent choice for families and anyone looking for entertainment around the Thanksgiving holiday. It is a one-of-a-kind activity for those looking to step outside their comfort zone and experience an unforgettable, live performance this holiday season.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Vinny DePonto (Creator, Playwright, & Performer) The work of theatre maker and mentalist Vinny DePonto uses a combination of psychological tricks, visual art, and immersive storytelling. His last Off Broadway show Charlatan was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for “Unique Theatrical Experience.” His solo work has been presented by Ars Nova, American Conservatory Theater, American Repertory Theater at Harvard, Arena Stages, and the Geffen Playhouse. He is also a member of the Bessie-Award winning theatre group Third Rail Projects. In addition to his live performances, DePonto’s consulting work was featured in the most recent production of Angels in America and Mother Play on Broadway, and in hit television shows on the Discovery Channel, NBC, and Netflix. He enjoys burrata, colorful socks, and your deep, dark secrets. He currently lives in New York’s Hudson Valley. @VinnyDePonto
Josh Koenigsberg (Playwright) is a Drama Desk–nominated playwright and screenwriter. His work has been produced at Ars Nova, Atlantic Theater Company, The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Naked Angels, The Old Vic, Primary Stages, The Public Theater, Second Stage Theater, SPACE on Ryder Farm, Theatre Row, Williamstown Theater Festival, The 24 Hour Plays/Musicals, and more. Josh’s plays include Al’s Business Cards, Dance Lessons, The Mnemonist of Dutchess County—all published by Samuel French—as well as Herman Kline’s Midlife Crisis, The Rise and Fall of Marcus Monroe, Charlatan starring award-winning mentalist Vinny DePonto, and VROOM VROOM, which he adapted and directed as an Audible Original series. Josh has written screenplays for Disney, Hulu, Lionsgate, Netflix, and Paramount, among others. TV/Film credits include the Emmy–winning series “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix/Lionsgate), High Fidelity (Hulu/ABC Signature), and Secret Headquarters (Paramount/Jerry Bruckheimer Films). Josh is currently writing the film adaptation of the popular videogame Mega Man for Netflix and Chernin Entertainment. His burrito recipe “Josh’s Famous Burritos” is published by The New York Times.
Andrew Neisler (Director) is a Georgia-raised, New York-based theatre maker, director, dramaturg, and producer. Select credits include the immersive nightclub show Another Rose for Virgin Voyages, the new musical Folk Wandering which he also co-authored with playwright Jaclyn Backhaus, the underground critical Off-Broadway hit Clown Bar, and, also with Vinny DePonto, Drama Desk nominated Charlatan. He has developed new projects with The Public Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, Ars Nova, Playwrights Horizons, HERE Arts Center, Primary Stages, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, NYU, University of the Arts, Colgate University, Williams College, and more. He is a Co-Founder and Creative Director of the arts incubation company Fresh Ground Pepper, where he has cultivated over 750 artists in a series of development opportunities, residencies, and retreats over the past 15 years. And he serves as an Associate Artistic Director at Ars Nova. He holds a B.F.A. from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. andrew-neisler.com
Eva Price (Producer) is an NYCLU/ACLU honoree and a three-time Tony award-winning, and two-time Olivier award-winning producer. Her productions have garnered 6 Olivier Awards, 2 Grammy Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, and 19 Tony Awards. Current: & Juliet (Broadway, National Tour); Titaníque (Off-Broadway, International Companies) The Hip Hop Nutcracker (Touring Live Show, Disney +). Upcoming: Redwood (Broadway); SHIT.MEET.FAN. (MCC Theatre); Take the Lead (Paper Mill Playhouse). Selected credits: Redwood (La Jolla Playhouse), A Transparent Musical (Center Theatre Group); Mindplay (Arena Stage & Geffen Playhouse); Jagged Little Pill (2 Tony Awards); Oklahoma! (2 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards, Best Musical Revival, National Tour, West End); Tina – The Tina Turner Musical; What the Constitution Means to Me; Angels in America (Tony-winning Broadway Revival starring Nathan Lane and Andrew Garfield); Dear Evan Hansen (6 Tony Awards, 3 Olivier Awards); Peter and the Starcatcher (5 Tony Awards) along with several solo shows and critically acclaimed concerts starring The Temptations & The Four Tops; Kathy Griffin; Lewis Black; Colin Quinn; and Hershey Felder.
DETAILS ON MINDPLAY
WHEN
Performances: November 13 – December 1, 2024
Evenings: Tues – Thurs at 7pm; Fri and Sat at 7:30pm
Matinees: Select Wed, Fri, Sat, and Sun at 2pm
Days and times vary; see complete schedule above.
Running time: 80 minutes (with no intermission)
Press Opening: Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 2pm matinee (RSVP here)
WHERE
Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA 527 Tremont St, Boston
TICKETS
Tickets start at $65. Season ticket packages and FlexPasses are also now on sale:
- online at huntingtontheatre.org
- by phone at 617-266-0800;
- or in person at the Huntington Theatre (264 Huntington Ave) or Calderwood Pavilion (527 Tremont St)
Select discounts apply:
- $10 off: season ticket holders
- $40 “HYPE” tickets for patrons 40 years old and younger (valid ID required)
- $20 student and military tickets (valid ID required)
The Huntington asks that any patron experiencing COVID symptoms stay home and contact ticketing services for more information about exchanges.
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA
Any members of the media who are interested in speaking with the artists of Mindplay, please contact Publicist Gabrielle Jaques at gjaques@huntingtontheatre.org or 617-273-1520.
Press performance for critics is Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 2pm matinee. Please RSVP here for press performance or other available performances.
Production photos will be available for download online, and b-roll footage can be requested.
PHOTOS available for download here
ABOUT THE HUNTINGTON
Celebrating over 40 years of outstanding theatre, The Huntington is Boston’s theatrical commons and leading professional theatre company. On our stages and throughout our city, we share enduring and untold stories that spark the imagination of audiences and artists and amplify the wide range of voices in our community.
Under the leadership of Norma Jean Calderwood Artistic Director Loretta Greco and Executive Director Christopher Mannelli, The Huntington is committed to welcoming broad and diverse audiences, provides life- changing opportunities for students through its robust education and community programs, is a national leader in the development of playwrights and new plays, has acted as the host organization for a multi-year residency of The Front Porch Arts Collective, a Black theatre company based in Boston, and serves the local arts community through our operation of The Huntington Calderwood/BCA.
The Huntington reopened the historic Huntington Theatre in fall of 2022 after its transformational renovation, and is currently in phase two of the project; the renovation and building project of this storied venue with a bold vision for the future will allow us to innovatively expand our services to audiences, artists, and the community for generations to come. For more information, visit huntingtontheatre.org.
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