Hypnotist to put Peaberry's under his spell

What do exotic dancing, real estate and hypnosis have in common? They are all chosen career paths of today's Peaberry's Caf entertainer, Joe DeVito.DeVito, a stage hypnotist from Boston, will attempt to captivate a Peaberry's audience beginning at 11 a.m. in Kilcawley Center. The Student Activities Office is sponsoring the performance.

A professional hypnotist since 1990, DeVito has not always mesmerized audiences using only the sound of his voice. While attending Boston University for physical therapy, DeVito decided to leave the university to become a male dancer.

"When I was in college, I went to this place called the Crazy Horse Saloon and watched women put dollar bills in men's G-strings, and I thought to myself, 'I can do that,'" DeVito said.

That he did. Although the Boston native was "very successful" in the exotic dancing business, he began to dabble in real estate and eventually lost "a lot of money." It was then that DeVito's wife demanded he choose a different career path.

"When I was a male dancer, I saw a hypnotist who was an intermission act at the strip club. I remembered that when I was young, my father brought home a book from the dollar store about hypnosis. I got the book and read it," DeVito said, "Then, I started practicing on my friends."

The performer later attended several classes from a national organization, but he insists that formal training is not necessary to become a successful hypnotist.

"Almost anybody can hypnotize people," he said, "The trick is, once they're hypnotized, what do you do with them? You have to be creative. You have to be original."

DeVito will demonstrate his interpretation of "original" at today's Peaberry's showcase. Wielding an arsenal of material ranging from G to R-rated, the hypnotist hopes to give students a few laughs without offending their parents.

"The show will probably be in the middle, as far as content is concerned," he said, "I can't exactly do what I do in a comedy club, because I don't want to make any dads angry. I just ask that students come open-minded and ready to have a good time."

The performance will begin with a five-minute induction process, in which volunteers will be lulled into a "deep state of relaxation" by the sound of DeVito's voice.

Then the hypnotist will employ the power of suggestion to animate his subjects.

"I've seen a hypnosis show before, and I thought it was very interesting," said junior Jared Sziber, "I'm not so sure if it is actually real or not, but I would definitely be willing to participate."

Although also skeptical, junior Mark Darby said might volunteer to be hypnotized.
"If it is the case that this man is genuine, then I would participate," he said, "But I would be angry if he made a fool out of me."

DeVito insists that hypnotized persons are aware and in control.

"I can't make somebody do something they wouldn't normally do, or something that is against their morals," he said, "The volunteers are truly the show; I'm just the leader of the band."

No risks are involved to participate, and volunteers will "wake up for good" from their relaxed states in a matter of seconds. DeVito encourages students to experience hypnosis for themselves.

"Students have an opportunity to not only see the show, but to be the show," he said, "Either way, it's an experience they won't forget."

DeVito will perform at the Funny Farm Comedy Club tomorrow and Saturday at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.