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Penn Jillette and the Opportunity Village Elvi.
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013 | 5:18 p.m.
To celebrate their 20th anniversary in Las Vegas, Rio magician headliners Penn & Teller plan to turn back the clock Friday night. I’ve learned exclusively that their 25-minute mini-show at their Rio home will be material they performed here at Bally’s when they arrived on The Strip in 1993.
Two of the three pieces from 20 years ago haven’t been seen in Las Vegas since. I also can confirm our earlier scoop that Caesars Palace and Rio President Gary Selesner will announce their astounding six-year contract extension from the stage. It will be followed by a celebration hosted by the good folks at our sister publication Vegas Magazine.
I also think it safe to say that Penn & Teller will share again the story of how they climbed atop Bally’s on their first week to rake away mounds of bird droppings so they could hang up their own opening-night signage.
Incidentally, Penn Jillette, the gregarious vocal half of the duo, has completed filming a Las Vegas segment for his second-season appearance on Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice.” Penn is playing to win funds for our beloved charity Opportunity Village, and he insisted on NBC filming Jesse Garon and the O.V. Elvis troupe as part of the segment.
Jesse, the official Las Vegas Elvis, created the group for O.V. clients after learning that they used to make the scarves the King handed out to fans at his concerts. “Elvis’ perspiration became an O.V. inspiration when Col. Tom Parker gave us the exclusive contract to produce them,” said Linda Smith, O.V. chief development officer.
The O.V. Elvis troupe, comprised of 12 dancers and six drummers, surprised Penn with a performance of “Blue Suede Shoes,” which will be aired on a May episode. After the filming, Jesse made Penn an honorary member of the O.V. Elvi and presented him with signature Elvis glasses complete with sideburns.
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
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Carnival lasts all year at the Rio. With a float occasionally passing overhead and dropping beads while feathered dancers fire up the gamblers below, the Rio tries to keep its 120,000-square foot casino jumping with excitement. Special Brazilian mixed-drinks are also served throughout the casino. The hotel suites tend to be larger than similar priced rooms on the Strip and many offer excellent views with floor to ceiling windows.
The Rio offers some quality shows like "Penn & Teller" and "Chippendales." Many come to the Rio for the nightlife at the VooDoo Lounge, located on the 51st floor, or McFadden's Irish Pub on the casino level.
Others come for a bit relaxation at the Rio Spa or pool area and still others come to shop at the hotel's 60,000 square feet of shops. In each of these endeavors, the Rio attempts to make the experience a bit more fun and spontaneous.
The Rio also offers guests a variety of dining choices from all-American food at the All-American Bar & Grille to Gaylord India Restaurant for something a little spicier and even Carnival World Buffet for the indecisive.
Penn and Teller I think is the most Under Publicized Show on the Strip (except for the sign on the RIO). I was impressed by the Non Frenzy and just intelligent segments of this show that does not come screaming at you to get your attention, like a clown at most of the towns Circus Acts.