Channing Tatumis the name most synonymous with theMagic Mikefranchise — but behind the sexy dance moves that define the two hit movies and its live shows are women.
Alison Faulk served as the lead choreographer on 2012’sMagic Mikeand co-directed theMagic Mike Live Las Vegasshow with Tatum, which just celebrated its 1,000th performance. Her frequent collaborator Teresa Espinosa, who also worked on the film and its sequel alongside Faulk, is the show’s associate director. Both women helped choreograph the Vegas spectacular where 13 wildly talented performers dance, sing and strip in front of — and all around — the audience
Below, Faulk discussesMagic Mike Live Las Vegas‘ popularity and working with Tatum.
10 shows a week is a lot to ask of your dancers. How do they do it?
They’re like soldiers. It’s so physical; they’re dancing their faces off. I just love them so much. They’re regular industry dancers. We always like to classify the show as like an unclassifiable show. It’s one of those things where all of the guys have done film and television and just tons of industry stuff and videos and everything. Like a regular dance show — and they happen to take their shirt off every so often.
Out of all the stars in the twoMagic Mikefilms, who surprised you most as a dancer?
Gosh, well all of them put so much work into it. I would say Adam Rodriguez put the work in. I was so impressed. I mean out of all the guys it’s hard to pick one, but he definitely came a really long way. It was cool to see him progress the way he did.
Magic Mike Live.
Are we getting a third movie?
The shows are the third movies.
What do you make of theMagic Mikephenomenon? Two movies, a Vegas show, a London show, and now a Broadway show…!
I think what it comes down to is — and this is just me speculating of course — it’s something that’s for women that really considers a woman and what she actually might want. We listen to women. We ask for their feedback. We want to know what they’re interested in. We put so much effort into delivering something that we really hope people will enjoy, and we realize that people plan this trip in advance and save their money. We take it really seriously.
He’s the big idea guy. He wants to know people’s thoughts and perspectives on things all the time. He’s just a really creative, smart guy who is super open to hearing people’s perspective — and he doesn’t have to be right all the time. He’s a really great collaborator. I think he always sees the big picture.
Jerry Metellus
Our production adviser is a woman and one of our set designers is a woman, our costume designer is a woman, our aerial choreographer is a woman — so he always wants to know what our thoughts are, what our feelings are. He asks a lot of questions. He’s just a smart dude. He’s not somebody that is like thinking down. He’s collaborating with everybody constantly. I’ve known him for a long time. He’s really special.
He once teased that he’d be down for making a cameo one day inMagic Mike Live. Do you think that’s ever going to happen?
I don’t think it wouldnothappen. I’ve heard him say in interviews that if he was getting in shape for a film, he’d drop in. He’s so talented, man. Watching him dance, he’s really special.
source: people.com
