Excellent
by Pjh on 3/9/25Penn & Teller Theater at Rio Las Vegas - Las VegasRating: 5 out of 5Entertaining and fun. Penn did a fabulous job handling a difficult volunteer.
Penn & Teller On Tour
Not exactly comedians but more than just magicians, Penn & Teller bring a quirky combination of laughs and illusions to every performance. You're ready to laugh before they even trot out their tricks, with the big, brash Penn Jillette towering over his staid, unspeaking partner Teller. And once they dip into the bag of tricks they've been perfecting since the 1970s, you're simultaneously dazzled and delighted. Whether they're working with things like magic bullets, nail guns, and straitjackets, or just employing a seemingly ordinary deck of cards to demonstrate some sleight of hand, the duo can make you doubt your own senses as they appear to make the impossible happen right before your eyes. Sometimes they toss a touch of danger into the mix, and sometimes they simply play the whole thing for laughs, but whatever illusion they're unveiling, Penn & Teller can always pull it off.
Penn & Teller Background
America's most famous magic/comedy duo actually started out as a trio in the '70s, but when third member Weir Chrisemer left in 1981, Penn Jillette and Raymond Teller (who has always gone by just his surname) continued on together, and it was then that their star began to rise. With TV appearances on such shows as Late Night With David Letterman and Saturday Night Live, a series of Broadway shows, and their own Emmy-winning special on PBS, Penn & Teller carved out a niche in show business and became household names in the process. In the years that followed, they became TV personalities in their own right, first with a Showtime series and then with Fool Us on the CW. They've earned their own star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. They've appeared in music videos by Run-DMC and Katy Perry. They've established a record-breaking residency in Las Vegas. And throughout all of these accomplishments, Penn & Teller have shown that a big, loud guy and a small, silent guy can make people gasp and guffaw at the same time.
Entertaining and fun. Penn did a fabulous job handling a difficult volunteer.
My first time watching Penn and Teller live and they didn’t disappoint. Some excellent ’magic’ and the final set piece was incredibly well done. Well worth attending
An enjoyable magic show that entertains and makes you laugh. But at around the 90 minute mark in length, it’s slightly short for the money that was paid. I’d have preferred another half hour at least.
The reality is Penn and Teller have been doing magic for over 50 years. Who knows how much longer they will still perform? So my recommendation is to go see them now, you'll be glad you did. Great show!
A funny, exciting and clever show! I’ve watched them on the tv for years and finally had the chance to see Penn and Teller live. They did not disappoint! Would love to see them again.
Flawless experience at the resort and the staff was very helpful and friendly. Refreshments/bar well stocked at Vegas prices. Very clean and comfortable theater, great sound system and could see the stage very well from any are that I walked through. My seat was on the mezzanine [first balcony?] and didn't miss a thing on stage. Large screen displays above the stage if you wanted to see close ups. Crowd participation is a must and everyone played along well, even when it came time to expose stooges - or were there any? The ending wasn't expected and was really fun so don't leave until the house lights come on. I've always wanted to see P&T and got to check their sow off my list, but now I want to go back in a year or two for another show - it was that good. Well worth the price of my ticket and given the chance, I'll go again. I'd give the rating an R for language, but the rest of the show was G and I don't mind language so overall, PG13. Penn even played in the jazz duo to the right of the stage before the show. I had no idea he was also a musician, but he is and plays that stand-up bass well. Get yourself tickets and go see these two magicians!!
Penn & Teller delivered an outstanding show. A pre-show jazz performance by a piano and bass duo, with Teller on bass, set the tone. The comedy was spot on, enhanced by effective audience participation. The show's humorous pace was well-maintained, for an enjoyable experience from every seat. A return visit is highly recommended.
We had seen Penn and Teller about 10 years ago at the Rio. It was amazing. Vacationing again in Vegas we really wanted to see them again even with the over 400.00 price tag for the 2 of us. We were so disappointed. Very little magic and too many "skits"with a lot of talking and no actual magic. We also did not appreciate the unnecessary bad language when there were so many children in the audience. Won't be seeing them again.
The magic act is as entertaining as a night at a church talent show, with PG rated swearing thrown in. As Penn promises, they are not flashy. The jazz music justifies the price of tickets.
When I first saw Penn and Teller years ago I was blown away by both the magic and the show. The tricks were mystifying and the show was top notch. On my most recent trip in New Years Day I left disappointed. While the showmanship was on full display, the tricks were all small, basic and gimmicky. I come to Penn and Teller for the combination of the two - hopefully they can get their act back together to rekindle some of their earlier magic.
Really enjoyed the show. After watching them for years I was so excited to see them in person. They did not disappoint !
I guess, the only reason for four star is I was expecting a few tricks that weren’t performed: 1) Shadows 2) The gun firing a bullet and Penn catching it in the mouth 3) The stapler trick However, the show was hilarious and they did perform 3 randomization tricks, especially the one with the balloons was excellent. These guys are the best
Genuine Penn&Teller experience. Tricks I had not seen before. Penn rightfully claimed that each show is special. They included customer input into the whole show rounding it up with a reverse played magic trick. Will definitely come again.
They are the Master of Magicians! So simple but unbelievable. 10 out of 10.
We went to see Penn & Teller on Christmas. It was a terrific show. It's not just magic trick after magic trick. It is really cool how they put the show together. There is alot of audience participation and they DO NOT USE STOOGES!
I’ve waited since I was kid in England to see Penn and teller and 20+ finally seeing them, certainly did not disappoint. Absolutely amazing showman ship, magic and lots of humour. I would definitely come back again.
Best show in Vegas right now. I was blown away by their amazing magic and funny skits. There is no better way to spend an evening in Vegas than with these two legends. Highly recommended.
Having front row seats, the first thing I noticed is that the guy playing bass alongside a phenomenal pianist looks familiar to me. Turns out, it's Penn. And he makes magic happen as he runs through classical and jazz pieces with the best pianist in the world. After that the show starts and it's a steady stream of how-did-they-do-that, that's not possible showstopper slight of hand maneuvers to blow your mind. And I know it's all real because my best friend gets called out of the audience to assist with a trick and he's never met the magicians. To say that the trick is a stunner would be an understatement. We've been talking about it for days, trying to figure out how Penn & Teller pull off a night of miracles all with the assistance of people from the audience, that they've never met. INCREDIBLE!
It was entertaining although somewhat predictable. Having the audience participate had more fun to poke at -
One of the best evenings spent in Las Vegas. Funny and amazing.