The men of Magic Mike Live aren’t making it off of Santa’s naughty list.
With more than 1.5 million fans, the saucy male revue has been the gift that keeps on giving. So what better way to embrace a little holiday magic than with the Mikes? Through January 3, Magic Mike Live: Holiday Remix will transform its feverish production into a festive display.
Executive producer Vincent Marini says this “holiday overlay” marks a first for the Channing Tatum-created show. Designers have decked the halls of the Magic Mike Live Theater with new seasonal decor like festive balcony lights and bar wreaths. New dance and aerial numbers, cocktails and musical mashups have also been introduced. Fingers crossed “Pony” gets a reindeer remix.
The Jingle Bellini
“Without going overboard and turning it into Santa’s Wonderland, we just wanted to lean into those fun decorations that feel tasteful. We’ve worked with our designers to put something together we think people will really enjoy,” says Marini. “It starts all the way in the foyer and goes well into the venue. We also made a bunch of updates to the lighting in the show to take advantage of the holiday changes.
“I’ve said to people that have come to the show before that this is a great opportunity to go back and see it again, because you get to see something that feels a little bit different.”
Festivities will be woven into the fabric of the show, such as a segment with two of Santa’s sexy helpers showing off their, er, gifts. New costumes have been added to the Mikes’ wardrobe, which is actually quite large for a production where clothes have a way of vanishing as quickly as cookies left out for Santa.
“Each guy has so many different costumes and outfits that they wear throughout,” Marini says. “Of course, they do end up taking some of those off, but at the end of the day, I always laugh at people when they’re like, it’s a male revue, there must not be a big costume budget. I’m like, oh my God, if you only knew.”
Magic Mike Live’s seasonal cocktails also tie the theme together. The Jingle Bellini, with white peach puree, vanilla liqueur and a candy cane garnish, will get you into the spirit. The Xmas Kiss Shot has crushed candy cane on its rim and peppermint RumChata for its creamy base, making it a cozy sip on a winter night. And Straw-merry Margarita delivers all the essentials of a holiday cocktail: Blanco tequila and cranberry, topped with rose prosecco and a rosemary sprig garnish.
Marini says the limited-edition show—and the ones to come in the new year—will be ones to remember.
“In future years, you’re going to see a big focus on making the guest feel like coming to the show is not just an experience of going to see live entertainment,” he says. “It actually, in fact, is a curated experience that feels special and unique to them. That would be our resolution.”
More holiday shows in Las Vegas
After being named this year as the #1 Best Las Vegas Show in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Barry Manilow’s ongoing residency at the Westgate International Theater returns to its holiday traditions for a few more performances December 11-13. The legendary songsmith blends his own hits with Christmastime favorites and the show adds plenty of glitzy, festive touches to the stage. (ticketmaster.com)
Excalibur’s iconic, one-of-a-kind Tournament of Kings returns to its holiday-inspired ‘Twas the Knight iteration through December 25, adding special music, poems and songs to the production and bringing merry enchantment to the jousting-and-jesters spectacle through glittering holiday costumes, flags and castle decor. (excalibur.com)
The always spirited, perpetually sexy Fantasy at Luxor adds festive flair to its “showgirl magic” during “12 Days of Fantasy” December 14-25. You’ll see some holiday spice added to the show and one lucky audience member each night will receive a surprise gift. (fantasyluxor.com) –Brock Radke
MAGIC MIKE LIVE: HOLIDAY REMIX Thru January 3, Wed.-Sun. 7:30 & 10 p.m., $65+. Sahara, magicmikelivelasvegas.com.
Click HERE to subscribe for free to the Weekly Fix, the digital edition of Las Vegas Weekly! Stay up to date with the latest on Las Vegas concerts, shows, restaurants, bars and more, sent directly to your inbox!
