“The Mystery Show”

The Chicago Magic Lounge, that cute little venue in Andersonville, that appears to be something other than what it is, is always a fun spot. While they have magic every day, Wednesday is the special day as they do their “Artist-In-Residence series that brings an act in for several weeks so that word of mouth can attract new visitors.. Currently, Mark Toland, a mind reader is back with his new show “Mystery Tour”. We have all heard the expression ( usually a reference to my alter-ego, Santa)”He knows what you are thinking”.- well Mark Toland truly does!

He is back and he is terrific. Because his show is a “mystery” show, I cannot share more than allowable as I would never ruin the show for him or for you. I will tell you that at the very start of the show, or even before, audience members can go onstage and fill out a small info card and place it in a box. This is relative to something special in your life- can he know what you write and who you are?

At the onset of the show, he talks about ? ( question) leading to ! (exclamation point). He has an envelope that has a question mark on it. This is the only time that audience members are allowed to take a picture of him and the stage area- he then placed the envelope under the seat of a front-row audience member, and proceeded. During the show, he does small tricks that allow him to work with the audience and use them. He shows his stuff to us and each time it is stronger and stronger. How does he do it?

Audience participation works very well with this act. At one point, four audience members were onstage and he got all the answers right, knowing who wrote what pet peeve. The last of the four was made a part of the show with an envelope that had the “mystery Word” in it. The show proceeded with his doing all sorts of number tricks and later showing us that everything was pre-written before the show even started. I have watched magicians work and know they have a trick as well as they get you to focus where they want you to, so they can do their thing. Mind-reading is unique in that, we are with the performer, watching them at all times.

Toland did a numbers thing where he floated a balloon around the theater. Each time it stopped, the person who held it called out a number and the audience members did the calculations on their phones along with Toland. There were 6 numbers called out and his total was the same as one that he had written down before the show even began- amazing!

Each of his segments outdid the last and again, not to ruin your evening, you have to see it to believe it. His show is one of a kind! The evening almost did not end as the lady with the mystery word left. Yes, she left before the show was over, but her friends were able to contact her and Toland, by phone completed the phone, sharing with us the mystery word, showing us that every segment of the show indeed had that word involved and allowing the audience to truly rise to their feet in awe of the performance they had just witnessed. Truly a masterpiece of a show.

In addition to his show, there is table magic for almost 40 minutes prior to the start of the actual show. Pretty amazing stuff right at your table- as they used to say “right before your very eyes” magic! Mark Toland and his new show The Mystery Show, Wednesdays at 7:00pm, April 5 – June 28, 2023. Mark Toland knows what you’re thinking and proves it during his fast-paced, interactive mind reading performance. In 2019, Mark kicked off the Artist-in-Residence series with his critically acclaimed one man show Mind Reader and Chicago Magic Lounge is thrilled to welcome this international award-winning performer back to its stage. Tickets for all Chicago Magic Lounge shows are available at the box office, (312) 366-4500 or online at chicagomagiclounge.com.

Mark’s 2018 “Out Of My Mind” tour garnered praise across North America. The show won “Best of Fest” (Kansas City), a “Top 10 Pick” (Kansas City), and “Outstanding Mentalism Performance” (San Diego). Vue Weekly says “Mark Toland is sincerely funny, heartfelt and keeps you in awe!” and awarded the show “⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑” (“Five Stars”) at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival. After multiple appearances on WGN TV in Chicago, Mark was hired to create and star in a 12-part WGN Radio Web Series. Mark is also a two-time TEDx Speaker, has been featured in Campus Activities Magazine, and was a featured performer at Disney World. Today, he performs hundreds of shows each year for exclusive events worldwide.

As featured on NBC, ABC, FOX, WGN, TEDx, NPR, CBS, and winner of the Chicago Theatre Award for “Best Special Event”, Mark’s show will dazzle you with psychological illusions and mysteries of the mind.

The Mystery Show will be presented on Wednesdays at 7:00pm, April 5 – June 28, 2023. Tickets are priced $40 (Main Floor) and $45 (Front Row).

Come early, enjoy a drink in the front bar where table magic starts your adventure. There are different shows nightly- s visit www.chicagomagiclounge.com to see what is happening.

The Chicago Magic Lounge is located at 5050 N. Clark Street. It doesn’t appear to be a club, but do not leave! Beyond those walls lie adventure that is magical!

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Mystery Show”