By Lynn Venhaus

Mesmerizing and masterful, “The Enigmatist” is a mind-blowing, brain-teasing, cleverly constructed blend of magic, puzzles, cryptology, and history.

This indelible one-man show by big-brained mastermind David Kwong engages through his razor-sharp wit and a theatrical flair for surprise. Clues abound and it felt like a communal game night with fun, smart people.

In the final stretch of The Rep’s season of “Daring Imagination,” this latest gem in the Steve Woolf Studio Series ignited an exhilarating adventure that left me awestruck and feeling as if my brain had undertaken a stimulating workout.

Before he even introduced himself, Kwong had us intrigued at the Puzzle Garden, an appetizing array of four brainteasers in The Rep’s lobby that serves as a prelude to his immersive experience below in the Emerson Studio Theatre.

Highly recommended is arriving early so you can spend 30 minutes trying to figure them out – with small and large hints accessible. This interactive warm-up sets the stage for a shared feeling of togetherness that made the event so memorable. And you can return at intermission.

Most impressive is Kwong’s showmanship – in both his storytelling and audience interaction, He’s a charming ‘cruciverbalist’ who writes New York Times crossword puzzles, which accounts for his astounding verbal dexterity, but he has an easy-going, self-deprecating sense of humor that instantly engages the audience.

He’ll tell you about the gap between what you see and what you believe, and you’re immediately hooked. The thrill of code-breaking soon follows. The audience gets to guess, answer and be a part of the presentation. You may think that Kwong is the smartest man in the room, but you may be surprised by the brilliant minds sitting near you.

A dapper, slender man in a suit-and-tie, Kwong’s professorial demeanor doesn’t need the enhancement of a flamboyant Vegas-type spectacle for his imaginative tricks, and in his seamless style, keeps the show moving with astonishing ‘math magic’ and a fascinating tale involving intelligent heroes and stingy villains.

Yes, math and science figure into his show, and so do history and wordplay. Fellow nerds and brainiacs are in heaven, but you don’t have to be a card-carrying Mensa member to enjoy. Just bring your curiosity and put on your thinking cap.

Suffice it to say you’ll never look at a kiwi fruit the same way again, and you’ll want to dig out your Scrabble board once you’re at home. The thrill of discovery is a major part of this intricately concocted excursion. (And we reciprocated by introducing him to Imo’s Pizza when someone suggested Imo’s for a crossword puzzle.)

His current playground is a cozy study setting, resembling what might have been at 221B Baker Street in London, Sherlock Holmes’ fictional address, or a well-traveled academic’s sanctuary. A few cabaret tables are scattered for patrons, giving it a small basement club vibe too.

Production Designer Brett J. Banakis and Lighting Designer Sean Gleason effectively keep the focus on Kwong’s illusions while Video Designer Joshua Higgason’s treasure trove of historical research helps us understand George Fabyan, who is a central figure in this enigmatic presentation.

Fabyan, an eccentric business tycoon whose Riverbank estate along the Fox River in Geneva, Illinois, became home to experts in science, agriculture, literature and more as a private research laboratory. Known for pioneering modern cryptology in early 20^th century, Fabyan is recognized as a forerunner of the National Security Administration.

Just as fascinating is the backstory of William and Elizabeth Smith Friedman, two of his employees who married and became experts in code breaking. They introduced mathematical/scientific methods to codebreaking during World War I, broke Japanese codes (including PURPLE), and developed the theory of secure, one-time-pad communication.

Kwon weaves their stories into his script, and the history lesson is noteworthy. The visuals are not only those tidbits, but we watch Kwong construct Scrabble words — including three 7-letter ‘Bingos’ — and a crossword puzzle with an incredible verbal virtuosity that must be unrivaled.

The son of history and biochemistry professors, Kwong credits his “really smart” parents for sparking his curious intellect. A Harvard graduate who has become a renowned puzzle maker, TED Talk favorite and author, he has written “Spellbound: Seven Principles of Illusion to Captivate Audiences and Unlock the Secrets of Success,” and the children’s book “How to Fool Your Parents.”

He also caught the attention of Hollywood and has been a consultant on the “Now You See Me” movies, “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation,” “The Imitation Game” and the television series “Blindspot.”

Produced by Erica Fee and Jason Seabright, the show has wowed sell-out crowds in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., Toronto and London since its debut in 2019.

With its unmistakable new worlds of wonder, “The Enigmatist” is a delightful evening, where loud gasps, chuckles, and exclamations ripple throughout the audience, sparking applause and jaws dropping in equal measure.

No rabbits are pulled out of hats and there is no escape hatch, but you may be giddy if you find calculations appealing. You’re not getting hocus pocus but rather creative problem-solving that is astounding. And that’s entertaining on multiple levels.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents “The Enigmatist” March 7 – April 5 as the final installment of The Rep’s 2025-26 Steve Woolf Studio Series in the Emerson Studio Theatre, located in the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus, 130 Edgar Road, Webster Groves.

The show is recommended for those ages 6 and up. Including a 15-minute intermission, the show is about 2 hours. Merchandise is available for purchase, including magic books and playing cards from David Kwong,

Tickets for are general admission. Audiences can elevate their experience by upgrading to a Studio VIP Subscription, which includes reserved seating, parking in Lot K, and exclusive behind‑the‑scenes content and interactive experiences. Tickets are available at repstl.org or by calling The Rep Box Office at (314) 968‑4925.