Chicago Shakespeare Theater, in association with Andy Jones and Dylan Pager, presents THE ENIGMATIST: David Kwong a magician, crossword constructor and master class storyteller!
THE ENIGMATIST is a show like no other. And it really starts before it begins.
Audience members are encouraged to arrive 20-30 minutes before curtain to wander through the puzzle garden. Each puzzle has wildly different elements like clocks, flags, pictures, and letters. It’s a lot to take in much less solve. Although I spent time in a constant state of confusion trying to decipher the meaning, there are ‘small’ and ‘big’ hints to help the puzzle challenged. And once you solve a puzzle one of the monitors will punch holes in your score card.
The real show is in the sixth floor Carl and Marilynn Thoma Theater. The intimate space has both cabaret and stadium seating. The immersive experience written and performed by David Kwong engages immediately. The charming Kwong cracks jokes, performs tricks and interacts with guests all while telling the tale of Riverbank Labs in Geneva. Eccentric Colonel George Fabyan established the laboratory to study obscure sciences. The history lesson is fascinating in itself to hear about William and Elizebeth Friedman and their advances in cryptology. Yet, this is just some of the pile of puzzle pieces that will eventually snap together to reveal an astonishing picture.
Throughout the show, Kwong will introduce visual or audio clues to a puzzle. He’ll ask audience members to stand when they know the answer. Each time, I’m mystified not only by the puzzle but also the audience members that stand up…and some fairly quickly. I was in a constant state of what-am-I-looking-at or what-am-I-listening-to? Although I proudly could name one tune, it wasn’t even a real clue to the answer. I spent a lot of the show being dumbfounded… emphasis on dumb.
Kwong is definitely an intellectual magician. One sequence of his show, he constructs a crossword puzzle using words that have organically been generated by guests. He plays Scrabble with tiles chosen by audience members. And he amazingly somehow connects all the games and pieces together as if by magic! THE ENIGMATIST is a cerebral brain teaser and the perfect family-friendly night out.
SIDENOTE: After seeing this show ‘I got the Worldle today!’ carries little to no cache for me. It also makes me want to give up my Candy Crush addiction to make time for Scrabble and the NYT crossword puzzle.
Running Time: Two hours includes a late start with no intermission
At Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, in the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Theater Upstairs
Written and performed by David Kwong
Performances are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays at 1pm
Saturdays at 2:30pm
Sundays at 2 p.m.
Thru June 30th
For more information or tickets
Production photos by Justin Barber and Jeff Lorch
For more Chicago theatre information and reviews, please visit Theatre in Chicago