#1
Posted: 7/7/15 at 10:44am
Opening tonight. Since I now have tickets would like to start a discussion. Who's going tonight?
Penn & Teller on Broadway
#2
Posted: 7/7/15 at 6:10pm
It starts previews tonight. It does not open until the 12th.
#3
Posted: 7/7/15 at 6:25pm
I realize that. Should have mentioned previews. Were 5 nights of previews necessary especially with such a short run.
#4
Posted: 7/7/15 at 6:36pm
Just got home from the invited dress. Won't say much but it's wonderful, funny, and magic! Mixed with old and new magic tricks! Enjoy!
#5
Posted: 7/7/15 at 8:52pm
"Just got home from the invited dress. Won't say much but it's wonderful, funny, and magic! Mixed with old and new magic tricks! Enjoy!"
But is it "Broadway?" Or should it be in Vegas or Atlantic City?
#6
Posted: 7/7/15 at 9:26pm
Penn and Teller are real New York pros, they did Off-Broadway and on at the start of their partnership, and this kind of old-school variety entertainment (arguably) predates musicals on Broadway. If any non-dramatic act belongs on Broadway, these guys do. IMO.
#7
Posted: 7/7/15 at 10:02pm
I recently saw their Las Vegas act and was less than impressed. I felt preached to. I understand that they have very strong Libertarian values - Penn is often on CNN representing his perspective - but they market their performance as a magic show and not a political event. I didn't appreciate their message at all.
I haven't seen their Broadway show. Perhaps, they've adapted their material to New York's more liberal/progressive perspective. Either way, its a magic show, not a rally.
ARTc3 formerly ARTc. Actually been a poster since 2004. My name isn't Art. Drop the "3" and say the signature and you'll understand.
#9
Posted: 7/7/15 at 10:34pm
I'll be there Thursday night. The show's website says 95 minutes no intermission.
#10
Posted: 7/7/15 at 10:40pm
"I recently saw their Las Vegas act and was less than impressed. I felt preached to. I understand that they have very strong Libertarian values - Penn is often on CNN representing his perspective - but they market their performance as a magic show and not a political event. I didn't appreciate their message at all.
I haven't seen their Broadway show. Perhaps, they've adapted their material to New York's more liberal/progressive perspective. Either way, its a magic show, not a rally."
Safe to say you should probably stay home.
As for running time, Penn also plays bass for 20-ish minutes as a pre-show with his jazz pianist, and both Penn and Teller rush to the lobby after every performance to meet people and sign stuff.
#11
Posted: 7/7/15 at 10:48pm
I was at the first preview this evening and feel mixed about it. In comparison to The Illusionists (tacky, gaudy, ostentatious) this felt like a Stoppard play.
I have never seen Penn & Teller before, either live or on one of their TV shows/specials, so I have nothing to compare this particular show to. I didn't even realize Teller never speaks until one of my friends mentioned it before the show.
They seem very concerned with relating the history of magic and setting themselves apart from their competition by demonstrating the "purity" of their magic. Penn often guides you through the tricks, or throws you just enough rope to hang yourself attempting to figure out how they do it. My favorite tricks were definitely the ones where Teller was alone on stage. His mime work is excellent. I almost wish the whole show would have been performed in complete silence, much like the mime sequences from Children of Paradise.
I agree with Art that the political stuff was off-putting. The third trick is really just a rant about metal detectors at airports and how our rights are have been taken away with these searches. (They are selling metal copies of The Bill of Rights in the lobby so you can set off the detectors and take a stand.) All it unfortunately made me think about was 9/11 and that's not really where one's mind should be taken in the third routine of what should be a fun night out.
There was one routine called "Close-up Magic With Little Cows" that I found especially delightful.
Not to be outdone by Hugh Jackman, they also gut a fish on stage.
There was an act called "Polyester in Excelsis Deo" where Penn (I'm sure unknowingly) was heavily channeling Raul in Leap of Faith.
At one point Penn asked the audience, "What more can you want from a magic show on Broadway?" My friend and I turned to each and said Chita in Merlin!
If you're a big fan I say go and have fun; this newbie wasn't completely won over..
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#12
Posted: 7/8/15 at 12:06am
Thanks for the, once again, wonderful review. I am so looking forward to this. Bought tickets awhile ago and scored another set last night for Thursday. I love their stuff and we see eye to eye on the political thing. Cannot wait to see this.
#13
Posted: 7/8/15 at 12:25am
I thought it was great! I really enjoyed myself!
#14
Posted: 7/8/15 at 12:40am
Don't forget that magic is an art form. If other art forms can communicate social and political messages, why can't magic?
#17
Posted: 7/8/15 at 7:52am
Michael, You're absolutely right. I guess I just didn't agree with this particular message, ha, and that's my problem!
They obviously know they're going to bristle a few people when they mention their libertarian views, and I'm sure that's part of the point. Penn's humor is rather abrasive in general; I enjoyed this at all other times, except when it overlapped with the political.
Before the final trick, Penn recited a rather lengthy monologue that had a nice social message. I thought this was far more success than the politically-themed trick.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#18
Posted: 7/8/15 at 7:55am
WMTJM great review.
Michael Kras, you make an excellent point and I agree with you. I take back any part of my comment that implies its inappropriate at a magic performance piece to have a message. I just have to own that their message isn't my own.
ARTc3 formerly ARTc. Actually been a poster since 2004. My name isn't Art. Drop the "3" and say the signature and you'll understand.
#19
Posted: 7/8/15 at 9:40am
I have a copy of Penn and Tellers How To Play With Your Food I got many, Many Moons ago. Will they sign stuff that was not bought there?
#20
Posted: 7/8/15 at 12:21pm
Never been to a magic show, but I like Penn & Teller. What's the design like? Anything cool or interesting?
#21
Posted: 7/8/15 at 12:36pm
Magic on Broadway
Remember buck toothed Doug Henning in The Magic Show? This was before messages started creeping in. All the show wanted to do was entertain & he was not into messages. Surprised this was not resurrected in some form. No intention of seeing P/T before but especially not now with their politics. I come to Broadway to be entertained. If I want a message I will watch the news
I remember in Vegas years ago we saw a number of magicians. Siegfried & Roy put on a hell of a show - no message just an entertaining evening. Years later we saw Lance Burton & got the same result without a message. He was later dumped by the Monte Carlo Hotel for a younger non magical act.
Poster Emeritus
#22
Posted: 7/8/15 at 2:52pm
Ripped Man, the design isn't much, mainly because they often need so much room for their tricks. Sometimes Teller does a trick in one while Penn sets up the next one behind the curtain.
One of the tricks involves a boxing ring type contraption the size of the one in Rocky, so with so many prop pieces moving in and out there's no room for anything else.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#23
Posted: 7/8/15 at 4:38pm
I know this is a long shot....but does anyone have any discount codes? I'd like to take my son, but have pretty much obliterated my summer b'way budget. Thanks to anyone that might.
To Roxy.....ALL theater has a message.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#24
Posted: 7/8/15 at 4:47pm
To Drama
Re your statement. I do not think people going into see a magic show expect to be lectured re the performers political views. Than again, a magic show like P/T is not exactly theater.
I also disagree re the broad statement you made. What was the message of:
Honeymoon In Vegas
Rocky
Big Fish
They were made as entertainment vehicles pure & simple. When you go to serious drama, you know it may start you to think even if the playwrights message is not hitting you like a sledgehammer.
Poster Emeritus
Updated On: 7/8/15 at 04:47 PM
#25
Posted: 7/8/15 at 5:34pm
The TDF tickets are gone already. No discount codes to be found. I did see a Living Social deal for weekday tickets $69 for mezz and $99 for orchestra.
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