Hypnotist Tranz-ports receptive audience at O’Sheas

Joe Delaney

Friday, Nov. 26, 1999 | 9:03 a.m.

Justin Tranz, appearing in the O'Sheas Comedy Theatre and performing 7 and 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, bills himself as an "Outrageous Uncensored Comedy Hypnotist."

The show title is "Hip-Nosis: Playin' With Your Head." In its third week, attendance has been spotty, especially recently during Comdex.

A goodly crowd was on hand Tuesday night in the intimate, 140-seat showroom on the casino's second floor. Early arrivals were treated to some rap background music. Tranz, a Philadelphia native in his mid-30s, is an imposing figure. On this night he was resplendent in a red suit with a full-cut jacket and black shirt. The show started with a spinning disk on the screen as Tranz did a voice-over, setting a mood.

As with most hypnosis acts, the first 20 minutes was for set-up, explanation and evaluation of the audience. His delivery and voice control were outstanding, but he could use better and more varied comedy material throughout. There was an early segment with two back-to-back chairs, a man straddling each chair, two more men, all from the audience, and a woman invited onstage.

The woman was hypnotized, made to appear stiff as a board, and placed with her head on one chair and her feet on the other. Franz stepped on a chair, then stood on her rigid body for a brief moment before alighting and returning all assistants to their seats. There was more monologue before he called for volunteers from the audience. There were 10 chairs onstage, and he wound up with five men and five women.

What followed was traditional fare with him putting those who were willing into a hypnotic trance and excused those who were not willing. The remaining six were told they were typing, and they simulated doing so with exaggerated motions. Then they were "turned" into washing machines and followed this by becoming jackhammers. Occasionally they were told to sleep and did so.

Four were selected to be members of the "Big Butt Band" while two were fans of the band. The band turned their backs to the audience as their backsides were supposed to be the band instruments. The show was building to its climax and the audience was having a great time, rooting for those onstage who had come with various groups in the audience.

At this point, Tranz's handling of the remaining sextet became borderline bad taste as each was supposed to simulate having an orgasm. The audience found this segment the most hysterical. I did not. It will have to be toned down considerably during the National Finals Rodeo, Wednesday-Dec. 12, or some of comic Jeff Foxworthy's "redneck" friends could take exception.

Tranz has great potential for comedy, but needs stronger material. His hypnosis credentials are considerable on the serious side as well. If he can sustain through the National Finals Rodeo and Christmas, then go into the new millennium with strength, he may make a success for the first time of that warm upstairs room at O'Sheas.