Mark Toland’s skills as a mentalist bring together fascination, awe and immersion in mystery — with humor and rapid-fire quips and stories. It’s an irresistible wild ride, especially for skeptics.
The “Oh-Come On” Factor
Mark Toland wastes no time in warming to his audience with his aw-shucks, approachably handsome looks and a Midwestern friendly demeanor. There are no plants in the audience — just the curious, the skeptics, the entertainment seekers. The palette of human nature is his canvas and his pictures emerge before our eyes, ready-or-not. We, the audience are the amazed and delighted players in Mark’s display of skills.
Revealing birthdays, memories and personal thoughts leaves any rationalist with the “oh come on” sense of incredulity. He does not stop there. Mark’s creative use of human consciousness is personal without being intrusive. He plays with the apprehension of someone sussing out intimate thoughts with an easy humor. It’s a lesson in how to build trust in an hour or less.
Fringe Festival Takes us Beyond Party Tricks
Mark has a way with stories of encounters using his interest in mentalism and exposing charlatans. He is fascinated with mystery itself and elicits questions regarding the supernatural — in the most natural ways. It is not an experience of imagination so much as a presence to full-frontal mystery.
Fringe festivals are adamant that performers adhere to an hour-long format. Mark Toland has penned a gem for the Fringe Festival. Watching his hour on stage is a release out of time. Leaving the theater venue feels a bit like one has stepped into the timeless.
Even those who don’t cotton to the “supernatural” will be delighted by the entertainment value of Mark Toland, Mind Reader. Those with a love of mystery and imagination will be transported, if only for an hour.
Highly Recommended
Note: This is now added to the Picture this Post round up of BEST PLAYS IN CHICAGO, where it will remain until the end of the run. Click here to read – Top Picks for Theater in Chicago NOW – Chicago Plays PICTURE THIS POST Loves.
When:
September 2, 2017 @ 7PM
September 3, 2017 @ 5:30PM
September 4, 2017 @ 2:30PM
September 9, 2017 @ 8:30PM
September 10, 2017 @ 4PM
Where:
The Meeting Hall @ Congregational Church of Jefferson Park
5320 W. Giddings Street,
Chicago, IL 60630
Tickets:
$10 with one time purchase of a Fringe Festival button.
For more information on tickets, visit the Chicago Fringe Festival website.
About the Author:
Stephen B. Starr is Principal of Stephen B. Starr Design, Inc., a design and communication consultancy in Evanston, IL. Stephen is a former president of the Chicago Creative Coalition, organizer for the Chicago Weekly Sitting Meditation Group and founder and organizer of the Chicago Web Professionals. Stephen is nurtured creatively by the fine art of story-telling — especially in the theater. As a college journalism major, he has since followed the siren’s call of poetry and short story writing in his free time. He is interested in the wisdom of indigenous spiritual traditions and seeks inspiration in natural settings by gardening, camping, hiking and biking.
