The Cast

Below are brief biographies of our main cast. Many other guest performers have graced our stage and have become regularly featured acts in our show. We, along with our audiences, have been thrilled to have some of our special guests on the bill. Some of the world's finest magicians and magic-related entertainers have become a welcome addition to our show. Each week, in our free e-mail newsletter (subscribe at: mysterylounge@aol.com), we introduce you to our special guests. Let us now introduce you to our founding producers, and main cast. (in alphabetical order)

MIKE BENT is one of the most unusual comedy acts working today. Mike has performed at scores of colleges and universities to record crowds and thunderous response. Mike's act, honed in at some of the most demanding comedy clubs, such as The Improv, Caroline's and Catch a Rising Star is a unique blend of comedy, special effects, off-beat magic, shock, and surprise that has made him the perfect act for those who demand smart, clean and funny material. It's hard to categorize Mike's act. A quote from Boston Magazine where Mike was named "Best of Boston" sums it up best: "Asked to describe himself, Mike Bent prefers to be thought of as a human oddity." His act pays homage to "B" science-fiction and horror movies, comic books (not the stories, just those strange ads in the back), atomic visions of the future, brains, schlock movie gimmicks and 50's hygiene films. Mike's recent one man show "Born of Normal Parents" was described as "gleefully warped and outrageously funny" by the Boston Globe and Mike was called "a brilliantly original talent." The Boston Phoenix called Mike "the Steven Wright of magic." His television experience includes: Evening at the Improv; Showtime's Comedy Club Network; Caroline's Comedy Hour; The Nashville Network's Music City Tonight; the syndicated Spotlight Café; Comedy Central's Stand-Up, Stand Up; Short Attention Span Theatre and Stand-Up and Deliver. He also guest-starred with Kevin Meaney, The Amazing Jonathan and Carrot Top in an ABC prime-time comedy special, America's Super Showcase. Mike was also honored to perform at the prestigious Montreal International Comedy Festival: Just for Laughs, where he was described as having "an off-beat, sometimes dangerous, palpitation-inducing routine." He has also appeared at The White House -- twice!

JOE HOWARD  Since 1978 Joe Howard has been dragging his trunkful of fun all over New England, bringing smiles and laughs to audiences of all ages. His quick hands and quick wit make for a truly entertaining and magical experience. Joe’s stage performances are filled with audience involvement and his use of volunteers makes the show a delight to watch and a pleasure to experience. His combination of classic magic effects and 100% dedication to having fun with his audiences makes him one of our favorites. Joe's roving performance, which is filled with magic, juggling, balloon twisting and lots of interactive humor, has been called a "strolling spectacle of silliness". If you've seen it, you know! Joe is also the best in the business when it comes to themed parties. Through the use of clever costuming, Joe is able weave his skills into theme of any event. Some of Joe's characters are: Circus Clown, Snake Oil Salesman, Safari Hunter, Cowboy Clown, Western Gambler, Baseball clown, "Dickens" type character, and a Renaisance Jester. No matter the venue, no matter the event, having Joe Howard to entertain your guests is the only thing that matters!

STEVE KRADOLFER is a sleight-of-hand expert, who has performed extensively around the U.S. for close to twenty years. One of the founding producers of Boston's longest running magic show, "The Mystery Lounge," Steve keeps his schedule filled with performances for nightclubs, Fortune 500 companies, and comedy clubs across the country. His comic style will sneak up on you, and then take you along for a most enjoyable ride. Steve ventures into streams of consciousness that other performers would never have dreamt of, while constantly and playfully poking fun at the situation at hand. Along with his own performing, Steve frequently consults, critiques and writes material for some of today's busiest working pro's, which makes him one of the best kept secrets in magic.

DAVID OLIVER's unique style of presenting magic has been witnessed by people around the globe for well over two decades. Watch in amazement as fluttering white doves appear and disappear in the blink of an eye! Enjoy the moment, when your friends and coworkers become willing participants in the show, without fear of embarrassment! Believe in magic again, after watching someone special in your group join David onstage in a truly "magical” moment in which THEY become the magician. With David Oliver, seeing IS believing, when you experience the magic of a chrome-plated bowling ball levitating in midair! Whether presenting his full evening, magic and comedy show in the intimate atmosphere of a cocktail party, business meeting or at the grandest of banquets, you and your guests will witness incredible feats of modern and classic magic performed live! Amid the laughter and applause, you will actually feel the magic happen right in your own hands! For almost twenty years, this neoclassic artist has entertained audiences on cruises, in hotels and at resorts to rave reviews. Colleges, universities and corporate events across the U.S. have asked David to come back to perform again, and again. You may have seen David on one of many TV appearances, including recently, when his magic was featured on the Discovery Channel, CN8's "NiteBeat" and “The Early Show” on CBS. And for the past seven years, David Oliver has been the most requested guest performer in Broadway's longest-running magic show, "Monday Night Magic" in New York City.

BOB RIORDAN is a professional magician who truly embodies the term “General Practitioner” of magic. He is equally adept performing on the grandest of stages as he is in the intimate atmosphere of the close-up arena. A graduate of the famed Chavez College of Magic, he studied and learned the classic manipulative skills of magic directly from legendary magician, Neil Foster. Along with being a performing cast member in the "Mystery Lounge" show, Bob can regularly be seen hosting the main show, keeping the evening upbeat and fun. As if that were not enough, Bob is also the host of our pre-show close-up session that our audiences enjoy before the main show. Bob makes his home in New Hampshire, where he is one of the busiest, and most well-known family entertainers in the state.

JON STETSON knows what you're thinking. He really does. Jon is truly what one would call a corporate entertainer. Whether it be stage shows, close-up strolling, hospitality suites, promotions, trade & industrial shows or custom creations, Jon Stetson will keep them laughing. Jon Stetson dazzles 5 to 5000 people with audience participation, comedy and incredible demonstrations of mind reading. Nobody does what Jon Stetson does in quite the way that he does it. This internationally acclaimed mind reading comedian will make you laugh, make you think, make you feel like an awe-struck kid. But mostly, he’ll make you look good. Because with his unique brand of sleight-of-mind entertaining, Jon Stetson livens up a room like no one else. And he’ll work with you to deliver exactly the right tone and material for your conference, trade show, or meeting. With his own special blend of mind, magic and mirth, Jon takes a standard event and transforms it into a roller coaster ride that people will never forget. Whether the goal is to introduce a product, to teach, to raise the excitement level among associates, to generate sales leads, “The Stetson Experience” produces a guaranteed return on investment. His strength is his ability to integrates his clients' unique products or service benefits into a magical and comedic presentation. Jon has produced outstanding results for dozens of companies nationwide including: Anheuser Busch, AT & T, John Hancock Insurance, Bristol Myers, Cadillac, Carvel, Coca Cola, Goodyear, Reebok and Burger King. He has been an MC, spokesperson, and motivator, for a variety of corporate events including company outings, awards banquets, and team building activities.