Oil Slicked & Bare Chested: Experiencing the Real Magic Mike

Ever wonder what a Chippendales show is really like? Vv Magazine’s Ama Scriver went to check out ‘the hottest male revue show’ and is bringing you all the oil-slicked, dirty deets. 

If you were like me, you probably ran out last summer to see Magic Mike XXL. I went with one of my girlfriends and saw it in the VIP cinema with the extra cushy chairs so that we could have a glass of wine and enjoy the – ahem, views. But when I heard that the Chippendales were coming to the Danforth Music Hall, there was no way in the world I was going to miss that magic in person.

Now if you aren’t familiar with the Chippendales, my first question is how have you not heard of them? But let me give you a crash course: this touring dancing troupe, whose main home is in Las Vegas, is known for their distinctive costumes of bow ties and shirt cuffs and well, bare chests. This show is not rated XXX but it’s definitely not for the weak at heart. It’s a striptease and it’s good for getting excited.

My gal pal and I went into our Chippendales evening with entirely open minds, not knowing what to expect. We were thinking drunken bachelorette parties, lots of screaming and just general ridiculousness. When we arrived at the venue, we were fairly shocked to see the huge line-up snaking down Danforth Avenue. We really didn’t think that the Chippendales were that popular and this lineup was changing our minds immediately. The other thing about the lineup demographic: gay men, women of all ages and the stray tag-along husband.

We settled into our seat, with snacks we had smuggled in from the Bulk Barn and got ready for the show. The venue was a buzz with folks excited for the ‘hot beefcake’ that was about to take the stage for a night of singing, dancing and teasing galore. The show opened with an array of lights and a countdown to the Chipps sliding out onto stage.

So I know you’re thinking, what – concert? But yes, the show is half-Broadway musical including terrible acting and then mixed in with hilarious striptease. All of the Chips dance in unison and then do these moves where they jerk off various objects, pelvic thrust, and slowly hump things. It’s hypnotic and also hilarious. I’m not lying when I say, I haven’t laughed so much in my life and I think that’s probably for the best because given the shitty week I had – I needed it.

They dress up and they go out into the crowd to interact with the women, even providing lap dances and taking selfies with them like this one which happened to my gal pal that evening:

When @chippendales stop you for a photo mid show, you just don’t decline (he made fun of me for having a photo of my dogs as my screensaver)

A photo posted by ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀nicole simone (@nicole.simone) on Aug 20, 2016 at 8:21am PDT

Okay so here is the real scoop: if you’re going to this show to see “the full monty” – you’re going to be sad because 90% of the acts end up with the Chips naked, but covering their bits. Which is still fun but hey, in the words of Britney Spears, “gimme more”.  

Basically going to this show with a girlfriend was the best form of self-care a gal could ask for because laughing is truly the best medicine. Besides, who wouldn’t like spending their night with the Chippendales?

RELATED LINK: Gay Agenda: Full-frontal Magic Mike XXXL, #BBHMM

Were you at the Chippendales show in Toronto? Did you love it or hate it? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below, or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.