Lepine returns to Royal Oak to test new material

Kevin Lepine will perform his hypnosis, comedy, and magic show at the Comedy Castle in Royal Oak on Nov. 10. The 75-minute event, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., is open to audiences aged 18 and older. Lepine, a 1993 graduate of East Detroit High School, uses this annual hometown appearance to evaluate his act and measure his professional growth.

The performer currently headlines 250 shows a year at the Canyon Club inside the Four Queens Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas. These performances take place at 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays under the title "Unleashed. The Vegas Hypnosis Show." Despite his status as a Sin City headliner, Lepine maintains a regular schedule back in Michigan to connect with the local community.

Lepine, a former Warren resident, cited the Comedy Castle as the place where he first watched his heroes perform. He described the venue as the location where he began his career and where early friends and family first supported his work. "This is where I saw my heroes and looked up in awe," he said. "Being able to bring it home is incredible."

The show relies on audience participation, with Lepine selecting willing volunteers to join him on stage. He avoids forcing participation to ensure a positive experience for those involved. Under hypnosis, participants perform various skits, including dancing like Britney Spears, acting as cheerleaders, or simulating childbirth. Other segments involve volunteers attempting to spell words, believing they have psychic powers, or mimicking professional wrestlers.

Lepine stated that new material often emerges from spontaneous moments when participants find themselves in unusual positions on stage. "The material gets as wild as the crowd does," he said. His wife, Emily Lepine, serves as his on-stage assistant. Comedian Joel Fragomeni, who has seen the show at least a dozen times, noted that the performance is a high-energy experience. Fragomeni, who also teaches comedy, highlighted the skit where volunteers fight over bar napkins they believe are $100 bills as a particular favorite.

Lepine received the title of "stage hypnotist" of the year from the Performing Hypnosis Summit in 2026. He described his career as living his dream in Las Vegas while performing alongside his wife. The Nov. 10 show will take place at 310 S. Troy St. in Royal Oak. Tickets are available at comedycastle.com or by calling (248) 542-9900.