Praise Be

Everything you need to know about attending Magic Mike Live and His Story: The Musical

In a tent erected in a shopping center parking lot, a muscled man is dancing for a screaming crowd. Less than five miles away, in a another parking-lot tent, a different muscled man is body-rolling to frenzied applause.

The difference? One man is part of Channing Tatum's Magic Mike Live. The other man is portraying Jesus in His Story: The Musical.

It's a unique time in North Texas, with these two wildly different — yet oddly similar? — productions pitching their tents so close to each other.

CultureMap recently attended both shows back to back, and is revealing what you can expect with each.

Magic Mike Live: The Tour
Where: Stonebriar Centre, parking lot C (near Dillard's)

When: ~~Through June 11~~ (extended through July 2)

The basic gist: A female emcee (either Crystal Powell or Nikki Lowe) empowers the audience while teaching "Mike" (Kalon Badenhorst) what women really want, with the help of an ensemble of very in-shape, attractive men.

The dancing and acrobatics are genuinely impressive and expertly executed, and there are several opportunities for the men to showcase other talents like drumming, singing, and piano playing.

Kiana De Van der Schueren contributes to two of the most jaw-dropping numbers, one in a pool of water and the other an aerial number high above the audience.

As expected, there is lots of audience participation both onstage and off, but if you do not wish to be touched or pulled onstage you can simply say the safe word ("unicorn") and the gents will back off. Consent is sexy!

The venue: A multi-story, 600-seat theater with a swanky lobby and indoor-outdoor courtyard for gathering before or after the show.

The release claims that "every fabric, every finish, every detail of the venue has been meticulously curated by Tatum and the Magic Mike Live creative team, led by co-director and film franchise choreographer Alison Faulk with co-choreographer Luke Broadlick." It's very easy to forget you're in a tent.

The vibe: Sexy, with terrific lighting, leather couches, and plenty of Instagram photo opps. The entire endeavor feels luxurious and high-end.

The concessions: Charcuterie boxes, wine, and signature cocktails utilizing Steven Soderbergh’s spirit brand Singani 63. We tried "Permission," a tequila concoction with cucumber and lychee, and the sangria-like "Seduction," each averaging $25 before tip.

The bathrooms: High-end portable toilets, with three times as many women's as men's — an excellent touch.

Key producers: Channing Tatum, Steven Soderbergh, Vincent Marini (who also co-produced the HBO Max reality contest series Finding Magic Mike)

Show length: 90 minutes, no intermission

Audience age: Strictly 18 and up

Souvenirs: Each seat is pre-staged with a few "Unicorn Bucks," the purpose of which is kind of unclear. The cast was unresponsive when audience members tried to give them the fake money (or stuff it down their waistbands), so the pink paper basically functions like confetti for Instagram boomerangs.

Tickets: $49-$299. Options exist for Ultra Seats (front-row seating, complimentary cocktails, personal concierge, post-show meet-and-greet with members of the cast) and the Mike's Exclusive Package add-on.

To order and more information: MMLTour.com or call 833-624-4265

His Story: The Musical
Where: Grandscape, by the Grandscape Wheel

When: Open-ended

The basic gist: "A Broadway-style theatrical event 2000 years in the making," touts the release, and the show recounts the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Anna Miriam Brown was 17 when she wrote the musical, and the show is definitely youthful. Choreographer Eamon Foley works the young, non-union cast to near exhaustion, with knee pads that get plenty of use.

This is JC for Gen Z, with Hamilton-esque raps and costumes that range from tunics to track suits, accented with temporary tattoos and even a leather harness. Jesus (Max Kuenzer) wears a sleeveless hoodie and a man bun.

The voices are generally strong, though the tunes utterly forgettable. A program insert warns of violence though the least affecting part is the crucifixion, staged by director Jeff Calhoun with Jesus lying down and Judas hammering from several feet away.

Casey Lamont is especially transfixing as Lucifer, while Mat Blasio garners several laughs in a variety of small roles.

The venue: The Broadway Tent at Grandscape, a 1,300-seat theater tent designed by Matthew Churchill Productions, Ltd. with stadium seating, 360-degree overhead projection, and full A/C and heating. It is very easy to remember you are in a tent.

The vibe: Megachurch revival weekend meets traveling circus. The tent and revolving set are repurposed from 2015's Peter Pan 360, and the surrounding projections feel planetarium-like.

The concessions: Popcorn, soda, nachos, beer, and other circus-like fare, all allowed in the theater.

The bathrooms: Separate entrances for men and women ... which spill into one long row of portable bathrooms.

Key producers: Willie and Korie Robertson (of Duck Dynasty fame), Tony Award-nominated Bruce Lazarus

Show length: 2 hours, including a 20-minute intermission

Audience age: Recommended for ages 8 and up. Children under the age of 2 are not permitted in the theater.

Souvenirs: Take your pick: There's everything from T-shirts, hoodies, and baby onesies to prayer stones, crosses, and picture frames. If you can think of it, there's a branded version for sale here. Credit to the merch department for the deep-cut "James #1" and "James #2" shirts, though.

Tickets: $39-$239. VIP packages include access to the Nebraska Furniture Mart VIP Lounge, a free glass of champagne or sparkling juice, and a free gift.

To order and more information: HisStoryTheMusical.com or call 855-447-7867

Photo courtesy of Magic Mike Live

Giddy-up, girls.

theater

Movie Review

Marty Supreme cements Timothée Chalamet as his generation's movie star

Courtesy

Timothée Chalamet

In a time when true movie stars seem to be going extinct, Timothée Chalamet has emerged as an exception to the rule. Since 2021 he has headlined blockbusters like the two Dune movies and Wonka, and also got nominated for an Oscar for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown (his second nomination following 2018’s Call Me By Your Name). Now, he’s almost assured to get his third nomination for the stellar new film, Marty Supreme.

Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a world-class table tennis player living in New York. But reducing Marty to his best skill doesn’t do him justice, as he’s also a motormouth schemer who will do almost anything to achieve his dreams. He doesn’t have any qualms about wooing married women like neighbor Rachel (Odessa A’zion) or actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), or hiding his true ping pong skills to win money in scams with friends like Wally (Tyler the Creator).

Marty is seemingly on the go the entire movie, whether it’s trying to convince Kay’s millionaire husband Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary) to fund his table tennis ambitions; or trying to track down the dog of Ezra (Abel Ferrara), a man he accidentally injures; or trying to avoid the ire of the boss at the shoe store where he works. Just when you think he might slow down, he’s off to the races on another plan or adventure.

Directed by Josh Safdie and written by Safdie and frequent co-writer Ronald Bronstein, the film is an almost continuous blast of pure energy for 2 ½ hours. So many different things happen over the course of the film that the story defies conventional narratives, and yet the throughline of Marty keeps everything tightly connected. His particular type of brash behavior turns much of the film into a comedy as he does and says things that are both shocking and thrilling.

Another thing that makes the movie sing is the fantastic characterization by Safdie and Bronstein. Almost every person who is given a speaking line in the film has a moment where they pop, which speaks to airtight dialogue that the writers have created. Characters will be introduced and then disappear for long stretches of time, and yet because they make such an impression the first time they’re on screen, it’s easy to pick up their thread right away.

Safdie, as he’s done previously with brother Bennie (Uncut Gems), calls on a host of well-known non-actors or people with interesting faces/vibes to inhabit supporting roles, and to a person they are crucial to the film’s success. O’Leary (of Shark Tank fame), rapper Tyler the Creator, director Ferrara, magician Penn Jillette, and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi each deliver knockout performances. The relative unknowns who play smaller roles are just as impressive, making each beat of the film feel naturalistic.

Leading the way is the powerhouse performance by Chalamet. For one person to believably play both the famously reserved Dylan and also a firecracker like Marty is astonishing, and this role cements Chalamet’s status as his generation’s movie star. A’zion is a rising star who gets great moments as Marty’s on-again/off-again love interest. Paltrow pops in and out of the film, lighting up the screen every time she appears. Fran Drescher as Marty’s mom and Sandra Bernhard as a neighbor also pay dividends in small roles.

Josh Safdie’s first solo directorial effort is unlike any other movie this year, or maybe even this century. Thanks to its breakneck storytelling, a magnificent performance by Chalamet, and countless intangibles that Safdie employs expertly, the film smacks viewers in the face repeatedly and demands that they come back for more.

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Marty Supreme opens in theaters on December 25.

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