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The Mystery Lounge
The Mystery Lounge is Boston's longest running magic and comedy nightclub, which describes itself as "a potent blend of magic & comedy".™
History
Early in 1995, the Green Street Grill in Cambridge, Massachusetts was regularly featuring live jazz music three nights a week, along with their French-Carribean cuisine. Local magic enthusiast, Joe McClure, a friend of John Clifford, then owner of the Green Street Grill, pursuaded the Grill to try a magic night. This would not be a children's magic show, rather a sophisticated and entertaining experience for adults.
McClure contacted local professional magician Steve Kradolfer, who pulled together a team of Boston area full-time pro's, including Marcelo Contento, Mike Bent and David Oliver. These guys travel the globe performing at corporate events, colleges, comedy clubs, television and on Broadway. They thought it would be a fun thing to do for a change - having a casual atmosphere to do a special one-night show in their own home area. Of course, no one knew this would continue for more than twelve years. After all, they were just out to have a little fun.
Beginning with that initial season of (what was originally known as) "Magicians and Spirits," along with the formal show, they introduced a "pre-show" show (and coined the phrase) "Random Acts of Magic" at the bar, where they were able to feature some of the best close-up & bar magicians in the world (including Doc Eason, Eric Mead, Jamy Ian Swiss, Bob Sheets, Jim Cellini and others) before the formal cabaret show. Some acts were passing through Boston, others came specifically to join them.
Since then, the show has grown by leaps and bounds. In the year 1999, with the help of cast member Mike Bent, the show moved to the Comedy Studio, and is now known as "The Mystery Lounge" show. Rick Jenkins, owner of the Comedy Studio, has been instrumental in supporting and promoting the show along with his five nights of comedy shows each week.
The success of the "The Mystery Lounge" can also be measured by the fact that it has helped spawn two sister shows on the East coast; "Monday Night Magic" show in New York City and "The Comedy Mystery Society"in Washington, DC. All three shows cater to adult audiences who appreciate the finer arts of magic and comedy.
Along with the regulars Joe Howard, Steve Kradolfer, Bob Riordan, Erik Rochelle, Mike Bent, Jon Stetson and David Oliver, you can usually find a special guest or two on the bill. Magicians from around the globe have been known to come to Boston, just to appear including: Michael Weber, Rene Levand, Todd Robbins, David Garrity, John Cassidy, Danny Hustle, George Saterial, Alex Foolski, Danny Orleans, Gazzo, Ken Turner, David Williamson, Michael Chaut, Arthur Benjamin, Simon Lovell, Larry Maples & Raven, Francis Menotti, Jeff Moche, Mark Mitton and dozens more!
Reviews
- "A good place to be amazed...wacky and head-scratching magic!" - WCVB TV, Boston (ABC)
- "Mindboggling... these magicians are talented, experienced and funny!" - Cambridge Chronicle
- "Fantastic... the audience literally screamed and rubbed their eyes in disbelief..." - MAGIC Magazine
- "Fun... you will not find any hokey hocus pocus here!" - Boston Magazine
- "Straight up entertainment... amazing magic, gasps and giggles..." - Stuff At Night Magazine
- "The Mystery Lounge is a Tuesday night series that challenges audiences' expectations of a magic show. Combining special effects and mind-reading techniques with comedy, the magicians present a professional magic show that's as amusing as it is mesmerizing. This isn't your father's magic show, it's interactive with the audience, and it's right in your face." - The Improper Bostonian (Magazine) 2001