Skip to content
Funny Magic Shows for Boston, Massachusetts  -  corporate entertainment
  • Peter Gross makes the magic happen…
  • About Magician & Hypnotist Peter Gross
    • What’s new, What’s magical, What’s funny? My Blog
  • Previous Clients
  • Contact Magician & Hypnotist Peter Gross
  • What type of show are you looking for?
    • Comedy for business events
    • College Magic Shows
    • Comedy Hypnosis shows comedy_hypnosis_shows
    • Hypnotism FAQ
    • Clean Comedian
    • Close Up Magician & Strolling Magic
    • Mentalist and Mind Reading Shows for Boston
    • Street Magic
    • Holiday Party Magician
    • Zoom Virtual Shows

What’s new, What’s magical, What’s funny? My Blog

Published November 13, 2018

Holiday Entertainment Booking Guide or How NOT to hire the Wrong Entertainer

Boston Talent Agent

The holidays can be a stressful time, especially for those people who are assigned to organize the holiday party. Even though most companies have professional meeting planners, holiday plans often fall on someone else. Starting the week before Halloween, I get calls from executive assistants, HR people and  managers who have had the holiday party dumped on their desks along with the other six other projects they are working on. Starting November first the panic starts and I feel like each phone enquiry is equal parts informational and therapeutic. 

The biggest mistake I see people make is spreading their budgets too thin rather than focusing on what’s most important. Selecting a few quality items – food, location and entertainment are all you really need.  You want your event to be like Meg Ryan in “When Harry met Sally”, not the women next to her who ordered a little of this and a little of that.  (I realize this isn’t exactly what happens in the movie, but you get my drift).

The Internet gives access to great resources and a large selection of entertainers within seconds, but not all of them are a good choice for your corporate event. 

So here’s a short but helpful list of acts to avoid:

The act isn’t experienced with corporate audiences

At one event, I was splitting the night with a standup who was mostly did comedy clubs.  Early on in his set, he did this joke, “People ask if Swinehoff is my real name. Yes of course it is, because if I was going to change it for show business I would have picked something more…Jewy. Like Swine-Feld.”

The crowd gave him a cautionary “Ohhh” and he snapped back with “F*% you! That’s funny.” 

It didn’t get better after that.

The act that overpromises

 Everyone can’t be an expert at everything; that’s why they call them ‘specialists’.  Be wary of an act that ‘yeses’ you without the experience to back it up.

There was a fledgling party planner who wanted something memorable so they requested that the CEO should make his entrance on the back of an elephant.  The production company went along with the idea.

At the event, when the doors opened and the CEO entered, the crowd went nuts, as planned.  But halfway up the aisle the elephant paused…and started producing a seemingly endless stream of urine. The crowd reeled back, which startled the elephant who turned and headed back up the aisle, spraying the audience and driving them out every exit, which in turn set of the security alarms. I have never forgotten it.

The act thinks the night is about ‘them’

At a fundraiser, I arrived to find that there were three of us on the bill.  The standup and I were trying to decide on the best order just as the impressionist arrived and announced that he would ‘close the show’ because he was the “starring act”, whatever that meant.  Neither of us pushed back, since it would mean we could go home early.

Right before the entertainment started, they had a live auction and won’t you know it, it went longer than expected by almost an hour. 

The comedian opened the show, did 15 minutes of great stuff and sent me out.  I also cut my set short because I could see the audience was getting tired.  By the time “Mr. Showbiz” went onstage it was almost 11pm and I could tell he planned on performing his full 90 minute show.  By 11:45 people were using every applause break as a chance to grab their coats and head out the door.  By midnight the organizers were asking me, as I said goodbye,  if I knew how to signal him to ‘wrap it up’.  I told them a kitchen fire might help.

The act that makes people look silly 

A holiday party is a chance to loosen up, but I never ask my volunteers to do something outright embarrassing.  If there’s a magic word, I say it first.  If there’s a goofy hat, we both get one to wear. All the time I see acts ask a volunteer to do something and then they say to the audience “ That looks ridiculous.  I can’t believe he really did it!”  Congratulations dumbass, you’ve just punished your volunteer for being a good sport!  Find an act that can engage the audience without being mean.  

The act that makes last minute demands 

When I was young, I asked my more experienced friend Al why I needed a “rider” for every gig, he told me, “Once I was asked what I needed to perform, and I said ‘Just a mic.’ When I got to the gig there was no sound system, no cables, no extension cords, no mic stand…just a mic.”

I always send a rider and go over it with the venue staff.  If I can, I visit the venue a couple of hours before the show.  There are always unexpected surprises at an event; The performer should be the easy part.

The act that can’t see the big picture

I once got a rave from a panicky event organizer when I delayed the start of my show to help the catering crew fix a problem with the food delivery.  I literally handed out hot dogs for 10 minutes.  But at that moment hot dogs were more important than comedy.

Years ago, I was hired by a major medical device company to produce a Night of Magic. All the acts were excited because there was going to be a three camera ‘shoot’, a chance to be recorded with the same professionalism as a TV show.  All night I had acted as master of ceremonies but I was going to do my mind reading right after the awards were handed out. 

As it turned out the CFO was being given a lifetime achievement award and after 40 minutes of speaking he wasn’t done.  When I looked at my watch, I could see he had burned through much of my stage time and the over-eager stage manager was telling me “ You’ll have to go out and interrupt him. He’s making us late.”  I did not.  When he finished to a standing ovation, I walked out shook his hand and said “ Well, there is nothing more to say.  Have a great night and thanks.”  

The success of the event often has very little to do with the success of your performance.

++++

Obviously this list isn’t comprehensive.  Most of all I suggest working with an act interested in working with you to create an event that matches your needs and expectations.

And if all else fails, make sure you know where the emergency exits are.

Peter Gross is the director of the Boston Hysterical Society which specializes in interactive comedy, mentalism, hypnosis and magic for corporate audiences.

For more information:

Mentalist Peter Gross – Videos, show description and reviews

Hypnotist Peter Gross – Videos, show description and reviews

Comedy Magician – Home

or call  508-872-7708

Published November 13, 2018

Boston Mentalist Peter Gross wows corporate audiences

“If you want to…engage, stump, entertain and thank your Team, hiring Peter Gross is the way to go!”   

Ronny Mosston, V.P., Human Resources, X4 Pharmaceuticals

Hiring entertainment for corporate groups can be a challenge, especially when your group is made up of overachieving super stars.  But Mentalist Peter Gross LOVES to perform for smart people whether they are in Finance, Biochemistry, Pharmaceuticals, or Engineering.  Smart audiences love mentalism because it’s entertainment that engages both sides of their personalities – the creative and imaginative and the analytical and calculating

Boston Mentalist Recommenation

For more information: 

Mentalist Peter Gross – Videos, show description and reviews

Hypnotist Peter Gross – Videos, show description and reviews

or call  508-872-7708

Published January 19, 2018

Finding Peace ( Comedy )

Finding Peace

I’m on the Pike in pre-rush hour traffic. So this guy cuts in front of me, even though there isn’t really room. I curse, but let him in. Then he changes lanes again, cutting off another guy, gaining no more than a car length. Now I’m mad.

I watch as he continues the process and with each lane change I am getting madder and madder. Partly because it’s rude and partly because it’s working. Now he’s almost out of sight and I’m fuming.

But then traffic patterns shift and after all his maneuvers he’s only two car lengths ahead of me and I feel better- superior.

Then he finds a gap, guns it and pulls away again. I’m out of my head.

Then I have a revelation: I’m not in a race with him. I’m not even on a schedule. I’m not meeting anyone and even if he arrives quicker than I at his destination, my life will not be any different.

Now, for the first time I smile.

It is only then that I realize I had long ago missed my exit.

Published January 8, 2018

Latest Magic Video

Editing a magic video, or any promotional video, is often more iterative than spontenious and I often think “Well, that’s about as much as I can do with THAT footage!” but then come back to it weeks later, with a better perspective. So here, again, is my latest magic comedy video…

Magic and Comedy Stage Show Video – Fall 2017 from PETER GROSS on Vimeo.

Published September 28, 2017

Microsoft Letter

Published March 8, 2017

Mentalist and Magician Motivates with power of illusions

Can magic, which is based on ‘tricks’, help motivate and inspire? I think so, which is why I made this video.

Much of magic ‘works’ because people have long ago decided how the world works, and so all a magician has do to is create a situation where those rules or broken ( or seem to be broken) and Voila, magic.

In fact sometimes audience members will come up to me with wild theories about how my tricks work, based on crazy technology they ‘think’ must exist, rather than admit they got tricked.

But ultimately I’m more interested in getting people to challenge the limiting beliefs within their lives rather than my show.

I have a goal of performing at a Tedx event because I love performing for smart audiences.  Unfortunately getting selected to perform at a Tedx event isn’t like auditioning for a showcase.  Tedx speakers need to be nominated and that means knowing someone who can make that happen. And currently I don’t. But I’m not too worried, remember ” anything is possible.”

Published February 21, 2017

So you want to book a mentalist?

Mentalism is a great choice for events because it engages both sides of people’s brains – the analytical side and the creative and curious side.

Even if you’re not sure if you want to hire a mentalist, keep reading, because here’s what you need to know:

What is a Mentalist?

A Mentalist is a performer who specializes in creating psychic phenomenon without claiming actual psychic abilities or extraordinary sensory perception ( E.S.P.). They perform shows ( like stand-up comedians and magicians) where they read minds, predict choices, make jokes and ‘play’ with people’s heads.  Mentalism is not hypnosis (although being a trained Hypnotist makes me a great Mentalist) because volunteers are not asked to go into trance to participate ( unless they want to).  Most importantly, Mentalists are NOT Psychics.

Mentalists are not Psychics because Mentalists know they are pretending to have powers and psychics may actually believe they have extraordinary powers. Others may know they are fakes, but never bother to inform their audiences of this fact.  We call those psychics,  Con Artists.

Mentalists make it very clear that they are putting on a show, not a group ‘reading’.

Like myself, Mentalists are often trained magicians and comedians so they are excellent at entertaining their audiences.  Clients like Intel, Microsoft, Bain Capital, McDonalds, Anheuser-Busch, and AstraZenica have told me so.

Mentalists do not exploit people’s emotions ( loss, grief, regret, hope) to ‘hook’ an audience into believing.  That’s for psychics and con artists. We strive to bring joy and mystery.

So do not ask me to contact a dead relative or tell me about their own beliefs in psychic phenomenon.   I DO NOT BELIEVE.  But if you’re looking for a show that will amaze and mystify, give me a call.

Peter Gross, Director
Boston Hysterical Society
508-872-7708

and check out more details here:

http://www.funnymagic.com/mindreader/

Published January 23, 2017

Mentalist announces Theater Tour for 2017

Mentalist for Hire

99% Honest is an astonishing evening of Cabaret Magic with sleight-of-hand artist Peter Gross. Combining the improvisational skills of a stand-up comedian with the quick hands of a pickpocket, Peter performs his mind-blowing illusions live and up-close, creating a once-in-lifetime experience.

Hailed by audiences as far-flung as Germany and Japan, and as close-to-home as Microsoft and Harvard University, Peter Gross is recognized as a master of misdirection and mentalism. His new show is the perfect date night or memorable outing with a group of friends: it will leave you speechless and then dying to share your thoughts with others.

The Vancouver International Comedy Festival called Peter “Hip sophisticated and very, very funny. A first class performer,” and the Charleston Comedy Festival raved, “Incredible comic timing
and stage presence. A guaranteed crowd pleaser. “

Forget everything you know about what a magic show looks like. Peter uses no special equipment or double-jointed assistants to create his confounding stunts: just a unique set of skills and a command of audience psychology. He predicts what you’ll do next, and roots out if you’re lying. 99% Honest takes you on a highly interactive intellectual roller-coaster ride of “impossible outcomes.”

Peter’s has been invited to the White House, performed at the Kennedy Center, Canada’s National Theater, and has made numerous TV appearances. He has performed in Canada, Australia, Spain, and Scotland. He also won two silver medals at the Oranjeboom International Variety Performer’s Competition in Rotterdam, Holland.

Published November 29, 2016

The Best Talent Agent for You

Boston Talent Agent
Do you really trust this guy to pick out your entertainment?

Using Talent Agents to hire a Comedian

Corporate Comedian, Magician and Hypnotist Peter Gross thinks you can find the perfect act yourself, without an talent agency

There was a time when, if you were looking for a comedian, magician or other talented individual, your first step was to find a qualified talent agent.  They were trusted professionals whose sole job was to have file cabinets of 8x10s and resumes of talented acts and they would hand-pick a juggler or singer  for your holiday party or professional event.  And how would you contact them? You would crack open the yellow pages, and find their display ad.

Are you catching my hints? Yellow pages, file cabinets, 8x10s, printed resumes?  All this stuff has gotten replaced by the internet and to be honest so has most of the value of talent agent.

In the past, seeing an act meant arranging an audition or traveling to a venue where you could see them live.  Photos needed to be reproduced and mailed, in pre-printed envelopes.

But this is 2016 folks, and now  you hardly need help to tell if an act has what it takes to make you and your group laugh.

If you’re already on this page, congratulations! Why not start by checkout out what corporate comedian Peter Gross might do for your next special event?

Published November 24, 2016

My loss is your win this Post-Holiday Season

The holidays is a time for gifts, so I Boston Mentalist Peter Gross have a gift for you.  But I’m a professional sneaky person ( or is that professional sneak?  sneaker? I digress) so my gift for you is also a gift for me.  

I love mentalism and all my new and most amazing material is themed around exploring the powers of the mind. The only problem is: mentalism needs an audience to be perfected.  So for 2017, I will be saying “Yes” to smaller gigs that in the past I would have handed to other quality acts.  I want to be ‘out there’ bringing my newest stunts, including mental metal bending ( seen here) to audiences large and small.

Call today to book a show and you’ll see how mentally flexible I can be.  Just try me.

And… You’re welcome.

Mentalist for Hire

Posts navigation

Prev 1 2 3 Next
Funnymagic Home • Previous Clients • About Peter • Peter's Blog • Contact & Booking

Peter Gross specializes in corporate entertainment, sales meetings and special events. He also regularly performs at colleges, high schools, fund raisers, and theaters. Peter is a hypnotist, comedian, magician and mentalist who lives and performs in the Boston area. He does shows regularly throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. He also provides lighthearted clean corporate entertainment for meetings, conventions, trade shows, product rollouts, awards dinners and holiday parties.

Copyright © 2023 Peter Gross. All rights reserved.