Quick Hits: ‘Magic Mike Live’ Debuts in Las Vegas

The cast of "Magic Mike Live" on opening night.
The cast of “Magic Mike Live” on opening night.

Photo Credit: Erik Kabik Photography/ erikkabik.com“Magic Mike Live” held its opening night on Friday at the Hard Rock Hotel in a showroom decked out like Club Domina and performances based on the films “Magic Mike” and “Magic Mike XXL.” Actor Channing Tatum, who appeared in both films, conceived and co-directed the show with its cast of men meant to embody the desires of the modern woman. Aerial acts, a sensual scene in a pool, coordinated dance acts and more made the show.

At the end of the show, the cast and creative team returned to the stage for an encore performance of Fatman Scoop’s “Be Faithful,” joined by the show’s co-director and producer Channing Tatum and wife, Jenna Dewan-Tatum. Tatum then shared a few words with the packed venue, thanking the crowd and friends and family in attendance for joining the cast and creative team for their highly-anticipated opening night performance.

After the performance, guests headed to a poolside celebration at Hard Rock Hotel’s Dish Pool. Guests ate light bites and libations atop daybeds positioned  beneath canopied palm trees, as well as special activations presented by LELO — the world’s leading pleasure brand — featuring a “touch and play” area, VIP gift bags stuffed with the most desired pleasure objects and more.

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, “Magic Mike” actress Cody Horn, actress Emmanuelle Chriqui, actor Nick Zano, comedian Jillian Bell and “Absinthe” stars The Gazillionaire, Wanda Widdles and Melody Sweets were all on hand.

The opening night cast featured performers Anton Engel, Brandon Foster, Chelsea Phillips-Reid, David Terry, Jackson Williams, JD Rainey, Jeremy Denzel, Jesse Morales, Kyo Dominick, Liinda Garisto, Luke Broadlick, Lyndsay Hailey, Manwé Sauls-Addison, Ryan Carlson, Ryan Pires and Sebastian Gonzalez. Creative team members in attendance included co-director and choreographer Alison Faulk, associate director and choreographer Teresa Espinosa and choreographer and featured performer, Luke Broadlick, production designer Rachel O’Toole, scenic designers Rob Bissinger and Anita La Scala, composer Jack Rayner, sound designer Nick Kourtides, costume designer Marina Toybina, aerial choreographer Dreya Weber  and pleasure director Lila Darville among others.

Channing Tatum talks to the crowd at the opening of "Magic Mike Live."
Channing Tatum talks to the crowd at the opening of “Magic Mike Live.”

Photo Credit: Erik Kabik Photography/ erikkabik.com