the opening minutes of the show are performed in complete darkness, and the show itself features carefully crafted tricks and illusions ranging from killing a real audience member, to contact with the dead. the show stars robbins as the narrator and is directed by teller. this incarnation of play dead began with two weeks of workshop performances at "the calypso room" in las vegas in september, 2010, at the rio, the home of penn and teller. teller told the opening night audience that the show marked the first time ever that a show was created in las vegas to bring to new york, and was headed directly for an off-broadway venue in new york city. it opened for previews on october 21, 2010, and opened officially november 10, 2010 at the players theatre on macdougal street in greenwich village. the show ran tuesday to friday at 8pm, saturday at 7 and 10pm, and sunday at 3 and 7pm. various members of the cast greeted the audience as they exited through the lobby.