From the hours of 9pm – 11pm on the evening of Monday, July 13, 2009, all was right with the world. I was sitting alone next to two strangers in the front row of the balcony at the Rio in Las Vegas enjoying my third show in this very room. I hadn’t intended on seeing Penn & Teller during my most recent Las Vegas trip. After all I had already seen them four times – in Columbus in 1994, in Dayton in 1995, and twice at the Rio in Vegas in 2005 and 2007. The last time I saw them, I felt like their routines were getting a little old.
But then as we were driving to Vegas, Bob pulled out a brochure that touted five new illusions (!) would be included in their show. So I began to reconsider. I had purchased a couple of photos that I had hoped to have them sign anyway, with the intention of going over to the Rio as their show ended and meeting them out in front of the theatre where they have always gone to meet their fans. Five new illusions (!).
Then I realized that there was really no chance of seeing any other show that night and still getting back to the Rio in time to meet them – so I tried to talk Bob into seeing the show once again. He was having none of that. Five new illusions (!). In the end, Bob went to see Howie Mandell and I took a cab over to the Rio to claim my seat (which I had gotten at a sizable discount). It ended up that I was in the front row of the balcony and they proved to be most excellent seats.
Somehow this ended up being one of the most enjoyable performances I had ever seen. Maybe it was the couple sitting next to me, who were enjoying the show to the hilt. Or maybe it was the five new illusions (!). Actually, I’m not sure where they got that number, but I did in fact see five new illusions (!) – although some of them were ones that I know they had performed before, but I hadn’t actually seen. Predicting that I would see five new illusions (!) – well it was almost, like…magic.
There were sixteen in all, some of them the standards that I have seen ad nauseum – Penn’s fire-eating, cutting the polyester sheet, clear cups and balls, the man lighting a cigarette, the jokebook, the newspaper ripping (I don’t see how they get away with doing a bit this lame), the burning of the flag, and the magic bullet. Still I somehow enjoyed seeing these yet again and they really seemed to be at the top of their game.
Then there were the bits that I always immensely enjoy no matter how many times I’ve seen them: Teller and the goldfish, Teller’s shadow cutting, and mostly Teller in the box. This illusion had completely baffled me when I first saw it in 2005 – but this time I figured out the secret of it, one that I won’t share here.
The new illusions (at least to me) involved a TSA metal detector, Teller’s Red Ball (the bit that is getting a lot of press lately where Penn tells the audience that Teller moves a rubber ball with a thread, but no one can figure out how), sawing a woman in half (a great and gory illusion), Penn’s nail gun, and the routine worth the price of admission alone – the video camera trick. This is the first time that I had ever gasped in amazement at being so readily fooled – but I don’t want to spoil this one either.
Penn told me that this photo from Penn & Teller Get Killed was taken in Atlantic City
After the show, as always, Penn & Teller both come out to meet the crowds of fans. And like always, I followed my same pattern: get Penn to sign first and get a picture with him, then get Teller to do the same – resulting in the two photos below. Then after I’ve acquired the set of signatures and pictures, I ask Teller if I can get a photo with both of them. He always obliges and then I get to stand there and chat with him while we wait for Penn. It’s as well-timed as one of their routines.
I asked Teller to explain the inside joke of his first name being Rudy. I had seen reference to this once in an MTV show’s credits and once in the printed Rio show program. He told me that “people were always trying to find out my first name and I really don’t have a first name. So when they asked Penn he would tell them ‘well, I’ll tell you if you promise not to tell Teller I told you. It’s Rudolph.'”
Penn continued his tradition of calling me – and everyone else – by the name Boss
My pal, the always friendly and talkative Teller
After we got our picture, I gushed a little to my pal Teller, telling him how I had videotaped all of their performances on Saturday Night Live, MTV, and David Letterman since the mid-1980’s, how I hoped that their movie Penn & Teller Get Killed would come out on DVD (I told him that I had the Laserdisc and he said “So do I!”), and how I had now seen five of their shows. And of course I thanked him for always being so kind to come out and meet the fans.
Nothing like hanging out with bad boys of magic
His appreciation and thanks sounded so sincere that they might actually have been – or else he was a master of illusions. Five new illusions (!)
Return to my excursion to Las Vegas…
Magic they can do, but poor Penn sure can’t dance at all and yet he still tried Dancing with the Stars. At least he made an effort.
Bev
August 11th, 2009
I’m a big fan, but have NEVER seen them live. I have tickets for their show this Saturday, but they’re back of the house on the main floor. I sure hope we’ll be able to see the show from there!!! Great to hear they’re so good with the fans.
Jason
October 5th, 2009