The tweet from @MrTeller went out Oct. 8, two weeks and one day after his previous tweet. “Hello, all you kind friends and fans, concerned about my quadruple bypass surgery,” it reads. “I am now lucid enough to give you the latest updates. I’m at a great rehab hospital, walking around, up stairs, taking showers and getting into car seats. Feeling better every day.”
The quieter half of Penn & Teller broke the news about his own health days before Penn Jillette’s latest book, Random, was published, taking the magic world, the Las Vegas entertainment community and fans of innovative adaptations of Shakespeare by surprise while attempting to reassure everyone at the same time.
Teller addressed his main priority after recovering from surgery in a follow-up tweet. “A favor to ask: some concerned friends/fans have been contacting my personal friends pretty relentlessly for the latest updates. Please stop that. The latest news will be here. Thanks for your understanding.”
He understood the concern. What is Penn & Teller without Teller? What is Las Vegas and the world of professional illusionists without Penn & Teller?
Teller kept his followers abreast of his progress and maintained an optimistic attitude throughout his successful recovery. He underwent intense physical therapy as friends like pianist Mike Jones snuck in treats, and Jillette’s son, Moxie, visited to practice magic with him. He was home and able to drive again by Nov. 2 and, by Thanksgiving, he announced that he was amazed by how much he felt like himself again.
The only issues that remained were if and when Teller could return to the stage, and if so to what degree? How would the show be different?
“My left side doesn’t feel right without Teller there,” Jillette told the U.K.’s Daily Mirror during his partner’s recovery. “It’s been a good 47 years, it’s something I’m as used to as my left arm.”
Raymond Joseph Teller will turn 75 this Valentine’s Day. He has spent a good portion of his lifetime performing very physical magic requiring split-second timing and, for nightly shows, stamina. He has his gentle moments, though. Anyone who’s witnessed his bit with a saxophone and floating tissue knows how poignant and subtle Teller’s technique can be.
Positive press surrounding a production of his collaborative reimagination (with director Aaron Posner) of Shakespeare’s The Tempest at Bethesda, Md.’s Round House Theatre helped to keep the healing energy flowing as Penn began a stretch of dates at the Rio with magician Michael Carbonaro filling in for Teller. Then Teller stopped tweeting in early December.
Rumors that Teller would begin performing with Penn & Carbonaro began to emerge. And, indeed, Teller began making small appearances each night in the current Penn & Carbonaro show to build up his stamina toward doing the full show once again.By this week, he plans to be fully up to speed.
Meanwhile, it’s probably best to continue respecting Teller’s wishes about not relentlessly contacting his personal friends about his condition. He’d rather people come to the Rio and see for themselves.
Rio, 702.777.2782
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