The magic touch

Penn and Teller mark five years at the Rio with no plans to slow down

When it comes to trivial stuff like fire eating, swallowing needles, knife throwing and catching bullets, magicians Penn and Teller say it's just another day at the office.

"We're funny, but creepy," said Teller, the duo's silent partner, at least on stage. "If I could be left alone in a room with daggers and fake blood, I could play there happily for the rest of my life. I think that love for comedy and that edge comes across in the show."

Penn (Jillette) and Teller (who goes by only his last name) celebrated their fifth consecutive year at the Rio Hotel and Casino on Oct. 18, where they promised that the show would continue to change and evolve.

"Most shows are not typically created here in Vegas," Penn said. "They're packaged and carted in from other places. That's one of the unique qualities of our show. It is not the same show from year to year. We rehearse and write new material every day."

The pair, who have been doing magic and comedy together for more than 30 years, pride themselves on their particular variety of magic.

"In a lot of magic shows, you see some guy wheel out a box with bad, loud music playing over the top of the act, he cuts a girl in half and the audience is supposed to be amazed," Penn said. "Everything that we do is done before the audience's very eyes. There are no boxes or mats to hide the trick."

The show's intimate setting, coupled with its no-frills, all-entertainment approach, creates an atmosphere of awe and bewilderment for audience members who watch Teller turn coins into goldfish with little flourish, and Penn juggle broken glass liquor bottles.

Penn and Teller perform every night except Friday, beginning at 9 p.m. at the Rio. Tickets can be purchased at the Rio or online at www.pennandteller.com, and cost between $75 and $85. For information, call (888) 746-7784.