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EASTPOINTE/ROYAL OAK — Kevin Lepine is living his dream while others are sleeping right through it.
For the past 14 years, Lepine has entertained audiences with his live show, “Hypnosis Unleashed — The Vegas Hypnosis Show,” in Las Vegas, the last three years at the Canyon Club inside the Four Queens Casino in downtown Vegas.
The 1993 East Detroit High School graduate is returning to his roots for one night only. The hypnotist/comedian/magician will perform Sept. 24 at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, located at 310 S. Troy St. in Royal Oak. Showtime will be 7:30 p.m. Comedian Kara Coraci will open the show, and then Lepine will entertain with a 75-minute performance that unveils his special flair of comedy and hypnosis. The show is for audience members 18 and older.
“It’s such an incredible compliment they bring me back year after year,” the performer said. “It’s so cool to be able to go back home.”
Early in his career, Lepine honed his skills at the Comedy Castle.
“It’s home,” Lepine said. “That was my gym where I went to work out being funny. I’d watch my heroes perform. It is hallowed ground for me.”
During his show, Lepine selects several volunteers from the audience to be part of the act. While on stage, he puts them under a hypnotic spell to get them to perform in various skits that promise to entertain.
“I turn huge guys into Vegas showgirls or we celebrate couples that have been married for years,” he said. “I’ve turned people’s shoulders into the most comfortable pillows.”
Other scenarios could be making the participants think napkins are $100 bills or watching them sing like superstars.
“You never know what someone is going to do. That’s what makes the show so much fun. I’m looking for people to immediately act on what I’m saying,” he said. “It’s always something different and unique. The audience is engaged as well. It’s fun and interactive all the way through the show.”
He vows not to embarrass anyone.
“It’s a party. If I make you feel good on stage, everyone feels good,” he said. “I try to make sure they all have fun with it. I get to make people laugh. That laughter is fantastic.”
Lepine wasn’t always laughing though. He overcame many obstacles and struggles, including being bullied, to chase the spotlight. He chronicled his journey in his book, “Deep Into My Eyes: From Victim to Vegas Headliner,” released last year and available at amazon.com.
And he loves the Vegas vibe. In October, he’ll mark 3,000 shows in Sin City. He cites Mike Hammer of “Mike Hammer Comedy Magic” and Fielding West as some of his influences. Plus, he’ll always have a soft spot for the Amazing Johnathan, a Detroit-born comedian and magician who died in 2022.
“I get to work with a lot of fantastic people,” he said. “We’re always coming up with new ideas. I’m still learning.”
While in the Detroit area this month, Lepine will be a presenter at the Michigan Hypnosis Conference 2024 scheduled for Sept. 20-22 at the Hollywood Casino at Greektown in Detroit. He is also scheduled to receive an award.
“We’re giving him an award for his contributions on and off the stage in the field of hypnosis,” said Dan Goyette, CEO of the Michigan Hypnotherapy Guild. “I saw his show in Vegas. It was a good show. He’s a great talent. He’s a good guy and a master of stage hypnosis. I’m looking forward to having Kevin here at the conference.”
Visit comedycastle.com for tickets to “Hypnosis Unleashed — The Vegas Hypnosis Show.”
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