George Lucas, eat your heart out.
In a galaxy far, far away exists a formidable empire with strange creatures of all shapes, colors, and sizes conjured in the flesh by only the most verdant of imaginations. Surely, these internationally recognizable and diverse Star Wars representations — like C-3PO, Boba Fett, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Battle Droids, Stormtroopers, and even Jabba the Hut — are as famous or infamous as any real-life celebrity.
But this time, in addition to being forces to be reckoned with, a closer look reveals there’s something else many of them have in common: sultriness, seductiveness, and steaminess. No, I’m not referring to the Harrison Ford-led films of the 70s/80s, or the Natalie Portman-starred prequels in the early 2000s, or even the Adam Driver-headlined trilogy of the past several years. This is a Star Wars too salacious for TV and too unfaithful for film. It is a concept that is simultaneously false and true to an intergalactic lore that has been venerated and genuflected to for 47 years.
The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody is, in fact, that presentation, and it is one packed to the gills with uninhibition. Only a live stage can accommodate the tremendously entertaining tomfoolery, hijinks, and eroticism of a spoof that bowls over its audience with stunning choreography, production values, and stand-up hilarity by an emcee. Suffice it to say, The Empire Strips Back is a glow-up of the space opera pop-culture phenomenon we never knew we needed.
This risqué reimagining has resonated so profoundly with die-hards and neophytes of the Force that it has played to more than 400,000 guests in countless cities across Europe, Australia, and North America (including Canada and Mexico). Houses continue to sell out in North America’s No. 3 market, Los Angeles, which originally hosted The Empire Strips Back in fall 2022. And just as the historic Ricardo Montalbán Theatre was the setting for the Fever-exclusive event two years ago, it is again the site of an appealingly ribald homage to one of America’s most lasting contributions to the mainstream.
Upon being summoned to its tantalizing lair for a few hours, the dark side will never have felt and appeared to be so spicily scintillating. Be forewarned: any sort of resistance is futile. The Empire Strips Back is a variety extravaganza, a pastiche of ravishing proportions that will unremittingly regale. It’s unknown if George Lucas has ever seen this lewd-and-improved offshoot, or intends to. But if he does, he probably would have the time of his life, too.
Cover image caption: The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody 2022 Los Angeles cast at The Montalbán Theatre. Photo Credit: Craig Ridgwell
The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody at The Montalbán Theatre (1615 Vine St. Los Angeles, CA 90028) runs through Sunday, December 1st. Showtimes are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 7:00 and 9:30 p.m., and Sundays at 4 p.m. The show runs two hours (including a 15-minute intermission).