Could ‘Magic Mike Live’ Be the Key to Longevity?

How many different ways are there to take off a shirt?

That’s what I find myself wondering one rainy morning in September. No, I’m not at the Vogue office, but I do have a tough assignment: Magic Mike Live is finally opening in New York City, following successful stagings in London and Las Vegas—and I’m observing the casting process.

The MML team, including Channing Tatum (whose experiences as a stripper inspired the Magic Mike franchise, beginning with Steven Soderbergh’s 2012 film) and choreographers Alison Faulk and Luke Broadlick, auditioned more than 850 male dancers from around the globe for the show. On that dreary September day, the 21 chiseled top contenders are doing callbacks.

Photo: Courtesy Magic Mike Live

When I call our unassuming Manhattan dance studio “steamy,” I mean that quite literally: all the hip thrusts, backflips, and other impressive feats of athleticism are fogging up the mirrors. One person’s entire job for the day is mopping up the floors; errant slicks of sweat could cause a slip.

There is no real audition uniform. Some of the guys are in jerseys, showing off their tattooed biceps, while others are dressed a bit like Paul Mescal in all those paparazzi shots. (Nikes are the sneaker of choice; silver necklaces abound.) I imagine myself surrounded by every possible iteration of Ken and his friends, but they’re all nice—and real.

But back to the shirts, or lack thereof. Watching the dancers run the same strip routine a couple of times, I notice how one guy whips his T-shirt off in a fit of passion, with both hands, while another disrobes more purposefully. And don’t get me started on the guy in the gray hoodie, who is careful to take his time (and show off his perfect six-pack).

“Don’t forget to find a moment to smile,” Faulk urges the dancers. “You’re hot!”

After the talent show portion of the day, which sees MML hopefuls perform acoustic renditions of love songs and dance the salsa, comes their first lap-dancing lesson. “This experience is not at all about the man,” Faulk coaches. “You are here for the women: to show them a good time, to put them first.” That means making lots of eye contact, asking before touching, kissing her hand.