On a recent City Cast Las Vegas podcast, co-host Dayvid Figler talked with magician, comedian, podcaster, and Penn & Teller associate Matt Donnelly about the state of magic in Las Vegas. Some excerpts:
What are your favorite magic shows in town?
“I am obviously a huge fan of Penn & Teller. They have defined modern magic. They used to be like the rebels, the outsiders. Now, I don't think it's popular to be like, Hey, I'm a magical person with special powers. It's more smart to say, Hey, I'm doing impossible stuff, and I'm not magical. They've defined a certain hip level of magic that's now mainstream. And because of the TV show “Penn & Teller: Fool Us,” they have to write a significant amount of new material every year. So they change up their show more often than any other magic show in town.”
What magic show is the worst in Las Vegas, and, follow up, why is it Criss Angel?
“You know, a lot of times shows are just, Can I be in the same room with a famous person? And so, Criss Angel gets to do that. But he does not have the best reputation in the magic community, or the best reputation as a show.”
Are people making money doing magic in Las Vegas outside of the headliner gigs?
“Yes, there's a ton of corporate work, private party work — the joke is always to call yourself a plaything for the rich, right? We associate well-dressed people with magic. If you're at a high-end party and there's someone going around doing magic, that's like a good thing. And there are so many ways, from birthday parties all the way up to crazy high-end clients.”
