The world premiere of Mindplay, a new play written by Playwriting alumnus Josh Koenigsberg ’09 and Vinny DePonto, opened on November 8 at Geffen Playhouse’s Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater in Los Angeles. The show, for which DePonto is also the creator and performer, runs until December 18, 2022.
Mindplay is described as a theatrical event that serves as a love letter to the imperfect mind. DePonto, in addition to being a Drama Desk-nominated theatremaker, is a mentalist who leads audiences through the maze of their innermost thoughts. The play explores the flawed, fragmented nature of memory, and asks audience members if the voices inside their heads are trustworthy. The magical, theatrical event lets the audience’s thoughts play a leading role. Mindplay’s world premiere is directed by Andrew Neisler, produced by Eva Price, and supported by the Edgerton Foundation New Play Production Fund.
Geffen Playhouse, which opened its doors in 1995, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enriching Los Angeles cultural life through theatre and educational programs that inform, entertain, and inspire. Mindplay is the most recent piece to continue the organization’s long-standing tradition of magical, provocative world premieres.
Josh Koenigsberg is a Drama Desk-nominated playwright and screenwriter whose credits include the Emmy-winning Netflix series Orange Is The New Black and the Hulu series High Fidelity. His plays have been developed and produced by Ars Nova, Atlantic Theater Company, Naked Angels, The Old Vic, The Public Theater, Second Stage, SPACE on Ryder Farm, Williamstown Theater Festival, and more. Among his plays are Al’s Business Cards, Dance Lessons, and The Mnemonist of Dutchess County, all published by Samuel French. His play Herman Kline’s Midlife Crisis has been published by Indie Theater now. Mindplay is not Koenigsberg’s first time working with DePonto; the two collaborated on Charlatan in Ars Nova’s 2013-2014 season, for which they earned a Drama Desk nomination for Unique Theatrical Experience and were named a TimeOut NY Critics’ Pick. Koenigsberg’s burrito recipe, “Josh’s Famous Burritos,” is published by The New York Times.
