INTERVIEW: Mentalist Vinny DePonto is ready for some virtual ‘Amusements’
Photo: Vinny DePonto stars in Mental Amusements, a virtual magic show. Photo courtesy of the artist / Provided by Matt Ross PR with permission.
Vinny DePonto, a Drama Desk nominee, has built an impressive career of magic, illusions and mentalism, and now he’s taking the show on the road … sort of. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, DePonto is making the best of a bad situation and presenting Mental Amusements, a virtual magic show that offers viewers the chance to either watch the illusions or be part of them — all from the comfort of their living room.
Be careful. Minds will be read (and likely blown).
DePonto’s work is a combination of “psychological tricks, illusion, visual art and immersive storytelling,” according to a press release. He was seen off-Broadway in Charlatan, which got him that coveted Drama Desk nomination. Additionally, he has consulted on a number of high-profile shows, including Broadway’s Angels in America and Lincoln Center’s Ghost Light.
Recently the mentalist exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox about the extended virtual engagement of Mental Amusements, produced by the Bristol Riverside Theatre in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style … but DePonto knew that already.
What can audience members expect from Mental Amusements?
Mental Amusements is a virtual experience I designed to capture the magic I feel when attending a carnival: the vanishing of the outside world and the delight of being lost in awe. Audiences, I hope, will enter with a curious mind and leave with a renewed sense of wonder.
How challenging was it to craft the show for a virtual audience?
It can sometimes take me years to write, tinker and design a show. For this, there wasn’t that luxury. I challenged myself to do this for my own mental health. Having something I could channel my energy into that would challenge me artistically was necessary. Rather than letting myself feel the frustration of uncertainty I challenged myself to find the joy in exploring a new medium, taking everything I knew from my 20 years on stage and finding ways to reimagine the experience for this virtual platform. The biggest challenge was also trying to make something positive in parallel with the whiplash from the roller coaster of emotions we’re all currently on.
Would you say that this ‘Carnival for the Mind’ is as effective virtually as it would be in person?
If by effective you mean enjoyable — I hope so! It’s been quite the learning curve with a lot of different technical issues. But it feels like we’ve cracked it with this model.
Do you like the fact that your audience can be anywhere in the world?
That has been an unexpected and delightful perk. When folks get up early to watch in Beijing and stay up late in the UK — it’s a commitment that means a lot to me. Though they don’t have to show up at a physical location — just them rearranging their day and making time for my show is really quite special.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Mental Amusements, featuring Vinny DePonto, is now available virtually. Click here for more information and tickets.
