When you think of a magic show, certain elements come to mind: Illusions, escapes, objects appearing where you least expect.
But Penn & Teller's act is so much more than a magic show.
The duo's act revolves around a central message that appears, at first blush, to undermine the point of a magic show: that magic is not real. Penn Jillette, the duo's narrator and an avowed atheist, insists repeatedly that he and Teller are merely performing magic tricks, not wielding supernatural powers. They don't want the audience believing that magic exists; it's impressive enough that they can fool us on their own.
So impressive, in fact, that Penn & Teller gave the audience a number of peeks under the hood. A few times during the show, the pair performed a trick on an audience volunteer while revealing it to the rest of the audience. In one bit, Penn narrated the secrets behind Teller's sleight of hand trick as the latter repeatedly performed a series of stylized, almost dance-like, actions that revealed the non-magical mechanism behind it.
Part performers and part teachers, the pair spent much of the show intentionally convincing the audience that they were con artists. But even while giving away some of their secrets, they continued to amaze.
Woven into the broader narrative that magic is not behind their tricks, Penn & Teller touched on more familiar themes: patriotism, religion and the pervasiveness of technology in modern society.
But this is not to say that the duo moralized at the expense of entertainment. Penn was funny and warm in his teachings, pairing the joke density of a standup comedian with the graciousness of a pastor. The ironically-named Teller, who does not speak on stage, served as the ideal practice partner for jovial Penn: small, precise and creepy.
Reviewing a magic show before its final run is an awkward task; giving away the surprises would ruin the experience. This review intentionally fails to mention what Penn & Teller did, exactly, with cell phones, knives, eggs and the American Flag.
But to be clear: this is one of the best few shows I have ever seen on stage. If you don't already have plans tonight, and perhaps even if you do, go see Penn & Teller. You won't regret it.
Penn & Teller
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
Atwood Concert Hall
Tickets: $49.25-108.25 at centertix.net