Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum said that “Magic Mike Live” isn’t just a bunch of sexy men dancing. Pictured: Tatum poses at the premiere of “Magic Mike XXL” in Hollywood, California, on June 25, 2015. Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

Channing Tatum wants people to come to Las Vegas and see “Magic Mike Live.”

The Sin City show, which is based on Tatum’s blockbuster films about male strippers, premiered at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Friday. At the opening night, Tatum — who conceived and co-directed the show with “Magic Mike” film series choreographer Alison Faulk — talked to some reporters and explained why people should come to the show.

“I want people to see it because I think it’s actually good medicine for the world, good medicine for men and women to experience together for each other for their own lives,” Tatum told Entertainment Tonight. “Not just to, like, come and get entertained. … Of course, come and get entertained, but it’s more than that.”

READ: Jenna Dewan Tatum dishes on sex life with husband Channing Tatum

“Vegas is almost like an altar,” Tatum said in a separate interview with People at the same event. “People come here to release. It’s kind of like church. They release all their worries and get crazy … This [show] is as good a place as any to do something crazy.”

Tatum also talked to Extra ahead of the premiere, and the actor said that show isn’t just a bunch of sexy men dancing. “It has a story on some level,” the former stripper said. “The big takeaway was that we wanted it to be this really base-level experience. We want people to leave and still think about it after they leave.”

Tatum’s wife, Jenna Dewan Tatum, who was also present at the opening night, said that she’s very proud of her husband. “I’m so proud [of him] because this is a big feat … I mean, to open a show like this and for him to create this, direct this, have this vision … [Yes] there’s incredible sexy dancers and men, but the intention with it is really beautiful. It’s like asking women to ask for more for themselves. It's creating sort of an empowering feeling, and that's what I’m the most proud of.”

To learn more about the show, visit MagicMikeLasVegas.com.

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