With a mix of non-stop banter and radiant charm, Mark Toland’s one-man show, Mind Reader, is 75 minutes of fun. While audiences are told to keep quiet about what happens during his show, I can reveal that it is very entertaining, each show freshly scripted based on “reading the minds” of whomever might be in the audience.
“The audience is the cast, their thoughts are my props and their minds will be blown,” Toland declares enthusiastically. Audiences should prepare to take part in the show, as Toland attempts to get into their minds, his delivery punctuated by throw-away puns, zingers, and an occasional dark and twisted joke.
It’s also a rare thing: Toland asks us to unplug completely from our digital toys and give in to his bewilderingly accurate readings on what's on our minds. Toland forthrightly tells the audience his powers are exclusively based on his finely-honed powers of observation and his refined perceptiveness.
"I'm not a psychic," he says. "I just want to leave you with a sense of mystery." In fact, he scans and greets each member of the audience as they arrive, including this writer. But if you are like me, you will find it hard to believe he is not operating on a paranormal plane.
Bringing an improvisational comedic style to his show, Toland is on the road with his show all week doing big houses and corporate gatherings. But he has made Chicago his based for a mid-weekly visit, where he presumably sees his wife – unseen in the show but referenced liberally times. See if you don't agree that in style and demeanor, Toland looks much like comedic actor Mark Helms (The Office, Hangover 1,2,3, etc.).
Toland has showed off his mind reading skills at other Chicago venues, including the Chicago Magic Lounge, The Lincoln Lodge, The Comedy Bar, and the Chicago Fringe Festival. He has appeared on WGN, NBC, FOX, ABC, NPR, Disney and the TEDx Stage. Toland claims to have correctly guessed the outcome of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, and says he bicycled through Chicago traffic completely blindfolded.
Toland has a weekly blog at MarkToland.com that features a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of a touring mind reader, helpful skills that anyone can use and travel tips from around the world. The reception has been strong enough for his run to be extended through October. “I’m thrilled to bring an exciting new show to Chicago audiences every week,” Toland says. It runs every Wednesday at 8 p.m. with general admission tickets at $25 and available at greenhousetheater.org or by calling 773.404.7336
