Penn & Teller and some princely magic
Pare forever seeking distinctive subjects to appear on their hit CW series, “Fool Us.” Prince Charles might be a good candidate.
Turns out that Charles is a serious fan of magic, and a pretty fair amateur magician himself. He performed a cupand-ball trick 43 years ago as he was inducted into The Magic Circle, Britain’s secretive organization dedicated to the advancement of the magic arts.
The prince’s 70th birthday party this week further reinforced his link to magic. A lineup of top magicians, including Penn & Teller, performed in an all-star show at the London Palladium.
“We always love performing over in the UK, particularly London. This was our first time performing on the stage of the historic London Palladium, but our fourth time performing for the royal family, third for Prince Charles,” Penn Jillette said in a text message. “And, I didn’t bump my head even though backstage is old and the doorways and ceilings are low so I consider it a smashing success.”
P&T were the only Vegas — and American — act in the show, which also featured Dynamo, who has been long supported by the prince. The show also showcased several comics and magicians popular in the U.K. and will be broadcast as “We Are Most Amused and Amazed” on Britain’s ITV next month. Prince Charles’ actual birthday is Nov. 14.
Penn & Teller produced a card trick and a misdirection trick, then introduced the team from Mischief Theatre, with whom P&T are developing a Broadway production. Currently, the Rio headliners are partners in “The Play That Goes Wrong” in New York and London.
“We were the only Americans on the bill for the show and that was quite an honor,” Jillette said, “… or is it honour?”
A different kind of draft
Ryan Reaves seems like the kind of guy who’d be up for a few brews.
And he is. As a business venture.
The Golden Knights right wing and noted tough guy is launching his own IPA (India Pale Ale) in time for the holidays. A fan asked Reaves about this venture Thursday on Twitter. “I don’t have an exact date yet. If all goes well, I’ll have it in the hands of my #Vegasstrong people before Christmas.”
Reaves later added, after another inquiry, “It’s only gonna be released on draught to start. But if people like it we’ll start thinking cans and bottles.”
His sendoff message, for now: “Stay tuned … and stay thirsty.”
Looking back, and forward
Britney Spears waxed nostalgic on Tuesday as we snared an explanation of “Domination” at the Park Theater.
Spears posted on her Instagram page some scenes from her “… Baby One More Time” video, her debut single released in October 1998.
“It’s hard to put into words what today means to me … 20 years ago, the world heard my music for the very first time!” She thanked her worldwide following for its support since the launch of that single.
Meanwhile, I did receive from a contact familiar with Spears’ residency the motive behind the none-too-ambiguous title of her upcoming Park Theater residency: “She intends to come back and dominate Las Vegas enter- tainment just as she has for the past five years.” It’s clear Spears is set up to go toeto-toe (or heel-to-heel) with other superstar residencies at the venue, and elsewhere, in ’19.
Spears opens the 32-show run of “Domination” Feb. 1314. TMZ, citing sources close to the production, describes the show as “urban-street and hip-hop” that will be reflected in the “music, wardrobe, choreography, backup dancers and set design.”
Team Spears has lured Nappytabs (Tabitha and Napoleon D’umo), who helped design Jennifer Lopez’s burning residency at the Axis/zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort, to the production.
The Nappytabs founders both attended UNLV and choreographed the dance team at Spears’ arrival at Toshiba Plaza on Thursday night.
Cool hang alert
The Jimmy Hopper Band headlines Myron’s Cabaret Jazz at 7 p.m. Monday. Hopper is a veteran of several Vegas venues over the past two-plus decades; he was among the early headliners at Fontana Lounge at Bellagio, and he opened Voodoo Lounge at the Rio in the late 1990s. Hopper’s backing band is killer: Pablo Gadda onguitar, Brenda Cowart on keys, Adam Shendal (we call him The Mayor) on drums, Blaise Sison on bass and Rocco Barbato on sax. “Africa” by Toto, “Pressure” by Billy Joel and “The Prayer” by Andrea Bocelli are on the rangy Hopper’s set list. Tickets, too, range, from $29-$42.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @ Johnnykats1 on Instagram. As of 9 p.m. Friday:
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