The Enigmatist

See it if you love magic &/or puzzles. Charismatic DH rapidly creates crossword! Thin on issues (no politics), but joy of mental gymnastics. Gd crowd.

Don't see it if you want real theater w/tradl perf. DH is funny, but not stand-up. Magic interwoven w/puzzle-solving. Fun, absorbing. Go early to venue!

See it if You love trying to solve 5 challenges thru-out show, see him make a crossword puzzle in 2.5 minutes, & see how objects turn up elsewhere.

Don't see it if You don't like solving the 4 pre-show puzzles beforehand. But they have a "little hint" and a "big hint" for each puzzle, so that helps!!

Also Very fancy hotel, currently with exquisite Halloween displays outside (several people taking pictures). Actor will also take pictures with you after show; very personable.... Read more Read less

See it if Like chamber magic performed by engaging, mentally quick fellow in tight, quasi-nightclub setting. "Whoa-how'd he do that?!" plus puzzles!

Don't see it if Hate card tricks, audience participation (not mandatory), aren't puzzle-curious, don't like crosswords, expect a play. Nerdy/gentle surprise

Also Plan on getting to performance space a minimum of 40 mins before show to work the 4 pre-show puzzles. They're doable but even with supplied hints, take a little time.

In addition, if you want a drink, the bar is in the pre-show puzzle rooms and there's no waitstaff service once you are seated in the performance space.

The kind of evening that's most fun with a companion.

Go, enjoy yourself, and feel very smart if you solve the puzzles.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy puzzles (esp. crosswords, scrabbles, word puzzles), nerd talk, and magic (traditional tricks). Faint plot to connect the tricks.

Don't see it if Don't like audience participation, which is even more for front row folks. Some overlap with Darren Brown's Secret but this has puzzles.

Also Diversity: multiracial / mixed-race Asian-White one-man show.
Ticket from Show Score for $5.... Read more Read less

See it if You like magic, or Scrabble, or crossword puzzles, or all of the above.

Don't see it if It's a magic show. If that's not your thing, move on.

See it if magic, puzzles or scrabble intrigue you all wrapped up with entertaining patter and stories

Don't see it if you want a serious night out

Also This is highly unique. His goal is to astound while entertaining. Audience engagement is excellent. Wrap-up at end is the best I've seen in a long time and was totally unexpected.... Read more Read less

See it if You like puzzles and figuring stuff out. He was very engaging and entertaining. Kept you guessing.

Don't see it if You do not like magic or mentalism

See it if you are a fan of puzzles, magic and cryptology! David does an amazing job of entertaining the audience throughout his presentation.

Don't see it if looking for a music or play. This is more of up close magic show, with some great puzzles mixed in. Seats can be somewhat uncomfortable also

Also With designing my own escape room with unique puzzles, David was just mind boggling. He takes his audience on a journey about cryptology which all has meaning in the end. Throughout the performance David has a wide selection of slight of hand magic tricks that will still baffle those who have seen the tricks hundreds of times. The only issue is they sit you pretty tight next to each other, so get comfortable for the next 1 hour and a half for the magic and information part. David is such a fast thinker that his mind will just blow you away.
Not a Spoiler: If going to to show I recommend going a min of 40 mins before the show is set to begin. You will want to try to solve 4 puzzles that are in 2 rooms. Some of these can be tricky to focus on, with so many people wondering around the room, but all are solvable. I would recommend doing the Japanese garden puzzle, or clocks early on, before the room fills up. The bar puzzle is the easiest, with the Wall being the 2nd easiest.... Read more Read less

See it if He’s highly intelligent and figured out a way to combine puzzles and magic that’s engaging, involves audience & displays his amazing talent

Don't see it if You really dislike puzzles, but it’s a lot of fun to watch him. I enjoyed solving some of the pre puzzles &my husband got 1 in the show.

Also Saw Neil Patrick Harris at the show too, so you know David brings something special to the table. Fan highlight!... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy puzzles, illusions, magic and cracking codes.

Don't see it if you don't like puzzles, illusions or stimulating your brain to crack some codes.

See it if you love magic shows.

Don't see it if you don' like puzzles, magic and thinking.

Also One of he best magic shows i've seen in my life. The intelligence of the people shows up in this interesting magic show. It is interactive, there isn't a lot of movement, just at the beginning in the big room, after that is classic seated style. There was a learning process through the show plus the big ending.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy magic shows and brain teasers. Kwong explains magic and puzzles have been his lifelong obsession, and he’s mastered the art forms.

Don't see it if You want a theatrical experience. There’s almost no storytelling aspect to it. You don’t like participating.

Also Aside from pulling off astounding magic tricks and wowing us with his feats of word and number manipulation, Kwong is an engaging performer. His charming, brainy persona calls to mind Jeff Goldblum. His account of the Riverbank Estate and its cryptologist founders feels rather flimsy, even less detailed than a Wikipedia article. Still, the main attraction is his skills as a magician and “enigmatist,” and in that respect, he does not disappoint. If you prefer not to participate, sit in the back, as he usually draws audience members from the front rows. A fan of magic and puzzles would rate this higher. I am not, but found it to be a refreshing change of pace. Demonstrating Kwong’s renown in the field, Neil Patrick Harris attended my very performance. As a Broadway fan, spotting him gave me the biggest thrill of the night.... Read more Read less

See it if A must for puzzle, Scrabble and magic fans. Also for the curious and those interested in fun, new experiences.

Don't see it if You want anything like a Broadway show. This is a single performer showing his expertise in magic and puzzles, with audience participation.

Also The entertainment begins in the lobby, with four puzzles the audience must solve. It’s an excellent preparation for the main show, which also relies on active participation. David Kwong cleverly blends the two fields of magic and puzzle solving, making for a fun, unique night out. I enjoyed the integration of the story of Riverbank into the show. The final big trick is also a delight. While the tricks themselves are impressive, David Kwong also does an excellent job engaging the audience throughout. Anyone interested in magic or exercising their brains should go.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy using your brain, you like magic shows

Don't see it if You hate puzzles

Also Lots of fun audience participation

See it if You like magic and puzzles. He is very clever. It is really fun!

Don't see it if You don’t like magic and puzzles.

See it if you love puzzles, scrabble, crosswords, magic, and having your mind challenged while being entertained.

Don't see it if you want the shame of sitting quietly in your seat while you see smarter audience members around you figuring out the solutions to puzzles.

Also I absolutely love magic and mentalism. Always happy to see a new take on the genre. David Kwong is a very charming and entertaining puzzle nerd who does a pretty good job of translating his skills to the world of magic. I enjoyed the pre-show puzzles that each audience member gets to attempt, though I lament that they don't let you in until 30 minutes before showtime. We only completed 3 of the 4, due in part to the crowded lobby and getting close enough to each puzzle. But no matter. The show is still tons of fun. It implements a lot of standard "magic" tricks, but frames them around an interactive presentation of brain teasers. The audience isn't in as much control as Kwong wants you to think, but that's ok. It's still great fun. Sometimes the nature of the play had my brain working too hard when I should have turned it off a bit more and simply enjoyed the show, but that's more on me. This was great fun, and not the mindless kind.... Read more Read less

See it if you like nerdy things like crossword puzzles, scrabble, historical stories of cryptographers... and also mental magic.

Don't see it if you don't want to participate in your entertainment; you don't care about magic.

See it if clever show with interesting puzzles

Don't see it if not as exciting as could be - room was stifling unfortunately

See it if you enjoy puzzles and magic

Don't see it if you are looking for a large scale production, this is fun, smart, and intimate

Also This is a great night out! Is it something you've never seen before, maybe not, but David Kwong has created a fun and engaging time to enjoy and evening out... Read more Read less

See it if You like magic, scrabble, science, history, crossword puzzles, thinking.

Don't see it if you want big and splashy, you don't like solving puzzles, or being made to think while you are being entertained.

See it if You like magic. You like puzzles. You like scrabble or maybe you appreciate scrabble. You want to have a fun date night.

Don't see it if Puzzles annoy you. You find magic a waste of time.

See it if you like magic, illusionist, and puzzels. It was very well thought out, multiple layers of tricks. Will surprise you in a good way.

Don't see it if you want to see a play

See it if If you like numbers, math, puzzling, ciphers, and "magic". If you like to think and be entertained. If you like to participate! WONDERFUL

Don't see it if if you want to see a typical broadway show.. this is nothing like that this show is wonderful brilliant and entertaining & the venue's great

Also Venue: The Highline Hotel - FANTASTIC - Tip - have your first cocktail downstairs at the Lobby Bar. THe bartenders KNOW how to mix a proper cocktail. They used VEUVE for my cocktail: The Remote View
Nolet’s gin, lime juice, rose syrup & Champagne - FANTASTIC!
The show - completely mesmerizing and amazing. I cannot pretend that I solved 1 single puzzle, but was awestruck with David Kwongs brain as he entertained and showcased his unique talents! We adored the frequent audience participation starting 30 minutes prior to the show and continuing throughout. After the show, David personally greets each guest with a handshake as they exit. This was SUPERB!... Read more Read less

See it if You like puzzles, magic and or Scrabble. David Kwong manages to interweave them all in an entertaining, intelligent manner that is also fun!

Don't see it if You want a traditional theatrical event or you don't like magic.

See it if You like puzzles and magic as well as audience interaction. There’s also a little bit of history of cryptology.

Don't see it if You dislike solving puzzles or audience interaction. This is not a play, so there is not really a storyline to follow

Also Come early (at least a half hour) to solve some puzzles beforehand.

Most of the audience interaction happens with those sitting toward the front, but there are puzzles to solve throughout the performance, and you stand up if you want to give an answer.

David is very personable and engaging - there is a bit of a history lesson, scrabble, and a crossword. Overall, a fun and insightful night!... Read more Read less