Las Vegas is once again in the spotlight, this time celebrating magicians who have captivated audiences in the city for the past 50 years. Recognizing the iconic performers Penn & Teller, Las Vegas gives a twist to its street names, turning the former West Viking Road into Penn & Teller Court. The move honors their 50 years of joint curtain calls and two and a half decades at the Rio Hotel & Casino, as reported by FOX5 Vegas.
In a fitting tribute to their long-standing showmanship, the corner of S. Valley View Boulevard and what once was W. Viking Road saw Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones hand out a proclamation. Billed as a historic event, the duo was joined by Rio's President and CEO Patrick Miller, and Rio Rita, greeting fans from a double-decker bus, complete with a custom cake from Freed's Bakery. "For five decades, Penn & Teller have captivated audiences around the world, and for nearly 25 years, they have called Rio home," Miller shared during the event, according to a report by Nevada Business Magazine.
In an interview given to FOX5, Penn & Teller noted the significance of their Las Vegas tenure. "Well, certainly, having run this long, it shows that it’s a place that a residency doesn’t need to mean a weekend like it’s come to mean," the duo told FOX5 Vegas.
Rio Hotel & Casino, now under the Destination by Hyatt umbrella, stands a block away from the Strip and boasts suite-sized rooms along with a collection of dining and entertainment options. Under the spotlighted roof of Rio, Penn & Teller have shared their craft, bringing illusion and comedy into a melange that redefines magic. With accolades including the Academy of Magical Arts' Masters Fellowship awarded just a year prior, their impact stretches well beyond the newly named street. Reflecting on the honor, the performers' unrelenting charm and wit are encapsulated in their hit series "Penn & Teller: Fool Us!" and esteemed specials, emphasizing the legacy penned in by their act—a legacy now etched into the streets of Vegas itself, Nevada Business Magazine detailed.
