Chris & Will step into a world of illusion, comedy, and wonder at one of Sevierville’s most distinctive shows.
Experience courtesy of: Visit Sevierville. Written by: Christopher L. Antie.
There are moments when you begin to wonder whether the impossible might actually be possible. Will and I were invited to experience Impossibilities: Magic, Mindreading and Mayhem, an interactive evening of comedy, illusion, and mind-reading starring Master Mentalist Erik Dobell in Sevierville, Tennessee.
Dobell’s journey into magic is almost as unexpected as the show itself. After first discovering magic in Ithaca, New York, he eventually took his talents around the world, performing for major clients including Macy’s, Goodyear, and the NFL. In 2016, he opened Impossibilities at the iconic Gatlinburg Space Needle, where the show ran for eight years before moving into its own dedicated theater in Sevierville in 2025. Over the past decade, Dobell has performed more than 2,000 shows throughout the Smokies.
What makes Impossibilities particularly entertaining, however, is not simply the magic—it is Dobell himself. With an energetic personality and an ability to turn stories from his childhood and career into part of the performance, Dobell creates an experience that feels personal rather than rehearsed. During an interview with Will, he shared that he did not even see his first magician until later in life. Somehow, that makes his journey into becoming a professional mentalist even more fascinating.
As an audience member, you quickly realize that Dobell knows exactly how to play with perception. One moment you are carefully watching for the secret behind an illusion, and the next you are left wondering how he managed to fool you completely. And that is part of the fun.
Audience participation plays a major role throughout the show, making the people in the theater part of the experience rather than simply spectators. Strangers begin laughing together, interacting with one another, and occasionally finding themselves right in the middle of the performance. The illusions themselves range from something as innocent as a simple wish to moments when Dobell appears to reach directly into the thoughts of an audience member. Just when you think you understand what he is doing, the performance takes another turn and leaves you questioning what you just witnessed.
Even something as familiar as identifying a playing card becomes much more than the traditional magic trick you may be expecting. Dobell takes those recognizable elements of magic and pushes them further, mixing illusion with mentalism and creating moments that seem almost impossible to explain.
That is where the intimacy of the theater makes such a difference. With only 56 seats, there really is nowhere for the magic to hide. You are close enough to watch every movement and convince yourself that surely, you are going to figure it out this time. Yet somehow, you usually leave with more questions than answers.
What Will and I enjoyed most was that Impossibilities never feels like a performance happening at the audience. It happens with the audience. Whether you are called upon to participate or simply watching someone a few seats away become part of an illusion, everyone in the room feels connected to what is happening.
That combination of comedy, storytelling, personality, magic, and genuine audience interaction creates something different from the larger productions found throughout the Smokies. Sometimes the biggest surprise can happen in one of the smallest theaters.
If you are visiting Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, or Gatlinburg and looking for something beyond the traditional attractions, we absolutely recommend giving Impossibilities a place on your itinerary. Go in ready to laugh, participate, and perhaps question whether what you just witnessed was actually possible.
Chris & Will give Impossibilities: Magic, Mindreading and Mayhem 10 out of 10 smiles. 😊
The Impossibilities Theater is located at 1548 Parkway in Sevierville, Tennessee, just minutes from Pigeon Forge. Performances are generally offered three to seven days each week, with typical showtimes at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; times and dates vary by season. Current schedules, tickets, and additional information are available at ImpossibilitiesShow.com
By the time you walk back outside, you may still be trying to figure out exactly how Dobell managed to do what you just saw. Our advice? Don’t think about it too hard. Sometimes you simply have to fall into the impossible.
For the full interview, listen to Chris & Will’s What About Our Life? on iHeartRadio. For photos, video, and additional coverage, visit ChrisAndWill.com or follow @OfficialChrisAndWill on social media.
Source: ChrisWill Media About the Authors: Christopher L. Antie and William Antie are podcast journalists and media personalities covering entertainment, travel, culture, events, and stories from across a wide range of industries. Together, they bring a conversational and experience-driven approach to the stories they share. Follow more from Chris & Will through their podcast, What About Our Life?, on iHeartRadio and at ChrisAndWill.com