Natchez Little Theatre proudly presents Comedy Hypnotist, Nick Toombs, for one performance only at Natchez Little Theatre at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Nick saw his first hypnosis show at his high school in Effingham, Illinois, and will admit he was skeptical, as many people probably are who have never see a hypnosis show before. 

The hypnotist at his high school was quick to point out he could not make anyone do anything they didn’t want to do, yet, Nick found it intriguing that the hypnotist seemed to have control.

At that time, Nick was already working as a magician but loved watching the hypnosis show.

“It’s like a magic show but the hypnotist just manipulates reality instead of props,” he said.

Twenty years go by and an opportunity came up for Nick to take a college course on Hypnosis. He jumped at the chance and became hooked.

From there he befriended several industry leaders who eventually became teachers and coaches. For the past 10 years Nick has done approximately 450 shows a year as a magician and a hypnotist based out of Memphis, Tennessee, but he is quick to point out “magic is a trick and hypnosis is a naturally occurring phenomena.”

Hypnosis literally means “sleep like” and it’s a state you pass through right before falling asleep each and every night. However, it’s not sleep but a highly focused and highly conscious state.  The deeper you can concentrate the deeper into trance you can go. It’s not mind control and he can’t make you do something you don’t want to do. 

What you see on TV is not hypnosis. Volunteers are very aware of everything that’s happening around them. People are quick to ask why do people do all the silly and crazy things they do when in trance?  Well, quite simply, they are so relaxed they don’t care. 

Nick did make me these promises about his upcoming show: He will not embarrass anyone. Anyone who comes on stage will get the gift of an amazing night’s sleep. The show is 100 percent family friendly, and you will laugh till you cry. 

Nick’s upcoming show is a fundraiser for Natchez Little Theatre’s much-needed building and parking lot improvements.

This one-time performance will be 7 p.m. Saturday at Natchez Little Theatre, 319 Linton Ave. at Maple Street in historic Natchez.

All tickets are $20 each and due to advance ticket sales should be reserved by calling Natchez Little Theatre at 601-442-2233 or prepurchasing your tickets securely online at natcheztheatre.org. Don’t miss this most unique and hilarious performance.

Next up at Natchez Little Theatre is 2018 Summer Youth Workshop that runs June 4 through June 28, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays.

This is the 14 successful year for the workshop, which accepts 30 students to participate. Only eight more students will be accepted between the ages of 8 and 19.  Participants will perform in NLT’s next musical production of Disney’s “The Lion King,” which runs June 28 to July 1.

I hope to see you soon at Natchez Little Theatre,

Bo Allen is on the Natchez Little Theatre’s Board of Directors.