Staying power is no sleight of hand

“What I am most amazed at is how good it is,” Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller says of the duo’s five years headlining at the Rio. “You are supposed to think that off-Broadway or Broadway is the height of artistic freedom. But here in Vegas at the Rio, we really do the show we want to do with nobody having input except us and the audience. It is surprising to me there is this much artistic freedom in Vegas and so few take advantage of it.”

Even if Penn & Teller were not such an unusual act, lasting five years at the Rio would be an extraordinary accomplishment for any headliner. But Penn & Teller (atheists and skeptics with a libertarian bent) can be a love them or hate them act, in a city that only wants performers to be innocuously personable. In their show, rather than offer their “greatest hits” Vegas-style, the duo uses its theater as a laboratory, repeatedly creating new tricks and rotating others in and out. This too is unusual: In Vegas, venues change their shows, but a show rarely changes. Believe it or not, the Strip still has headliners who feature Ross Perot imitations.

According to Jillette: “We do new material for us. This is what we do. If you were watching our career from a distance, it would be like Penn & Teller never noticed they went to Vegas.”

Most impressive: After five years, they still fill the room most nights and have a contract that lasts out the decade. Yet, Jillette is not sure if the show’s success represents a vanguard for Vegas or is just a fluke. “Entertainment is still very young in Vegas. It only dates back in any meaningful way to the ‘50s, and 20 years ago I would have thought you were crazy to suggest Penn & Teller would be here.”

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A Vegas riff on a rock ‘n’ roll dream

Wandering Vegas since Wednesday, you may have seen boomers with their faces all aglow next to aged men in leather pants. Tonight at the House of Blues all will be explained as one of the weirdest graduations you are ever likely to see takes place: Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp’s Campalooza.

This is the 10th anniversary of the fantasy camp that longtime producer David Fishof has hosted, up to four times a year, in cities from New York to Los Angeles. Yet, even he is surprised that it has taken him so long to bring his event to a town that specializes in selling unique experiences to the affluent.

Las Vegas markets personalized the VIP experience, and what could fit better than guitar lessons from famed session guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter? That is one choice this year. But the camp is long sold out, with over half of the campers returning visitors. Among the loyal is coin dealer Laura Sperber of Monmouth Beach, N.J. “I am very fortunate I can indulge in my hobby,” says Sperber, who estimates this camp trip to Vegas will cost her about $8,000. Not that she minds one bit. “They could raise the price and I would pay. If you love music, there is no greater high. One year I grabbed a mike next to Brian Wilson, and it was one of those things that happens here. I got to mix with Roger Daltrey and discuss music. What could be better?”

Camp counselors this year include former and current members of Yes, Queen, Bad Company and Megadeth. Also, big names such as Slash, Daltrey and Joe Walsh are scheduled to drop by and offer tips.

Comparing his day job drumming in bands such as Bad Company and Free with his role as camp counselor, Simon Kirke notes: “It is a lot more fun to play with the fans. I love teaching musicians.”

If you want to hear the wealthy amateurs living the dream by playing with the pros, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp ends with a performance tonight on the Strip at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay ($35 general admission; $60 reserved). Or, you can show up late, miss the hobbyists and see a de facto supergroup at a bargain price when the band of counselors closes out the night.

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For comedy fest, laughs are on track

According to its organizers, in its first two years, the Comedy Festival has attracted a total of 100,000 people. Wednesday marks the start of its third appearance, which runs through Saturday. In a city that has a constant stream of comedy headliners passing through, John Meglen, president and co-chief executive of AEG Live/Concerts West, who created the Comedy Festival, expected Vegas to be a far harder sell than the way things turned out.

“Honestly, with a new festival you expect to lose money for the first three years while you get established, and we are almost break-even already,” he said. A large part of the reason for that has been the festival’s ability to attract top-name headliners. This year that includes Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld (both doing Friday and Saturday night shows at Caesars Palace).

Of course, not everything worked. A concurrent film festival was dropped this year due to lack of interest. “People in Vegas didn’t want to see movies,” Meglen said. “I was surprised.”

On the other hand, to no one’s surprise the charity celebrity poker tournament (with “Sopranos” actor and Riviera comedy club booker Steve Schirripa as emcee) has turned into a perfect fit.