Fresh from a sold-out six-city tour of California, The Empire Strips Back – A Burlesque Parody is returning for a six week tour from March 30-May 4 including a Phoenix show on April 2 at Comerica Theatre. Tickets go on sale this Friday, January 18 at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.com and comericatheatre.com. For more information, visit empirestripsback.com.
Featuring all of the classic Star Wars™ characters, The Empire Strips Back – A Burlesque Parody takes audiences to a galaxy far, far away, creating one of the most unforgettable (and unauthorized) theatrical versions of the beloved franchise. Combining striptease, song and dance, troupe routines and plenty of humor, audiences are transported into the world of burlesque to witness a menacing troop of seriously sexy Stormtroopers, a dangerously seductive Boba Fett, tantalizing Twi’leks, a delightfully lukewarm Taun Taun, a lady-like Skywalker, and of course, scantily clad and daring Droids. Even Darth Vader will explore her feminine side with a fantastical twist.
First imagined in 2011 by creator Russall S. Beattie, the original production was booked in a small, 150 seat room in Sydney for a one-off, three-night run. Fast-forward to seven national sold-out Australian tours, an enthusiastic audience of over 60,000, and a 2016 Huffington Post video feature boasting 20+ million viral views, TESB is set to entertain U.S. fans with a live entertainment experience like no other.
“It’s been an amazing journey from the little stage we started on to the majestic theatres we play now,” says Russall. “We never stop developing the show – always trying to make it bigger and crazier, and, yes, reach the standard of quality of the films. Everywhere we go, our fans are passionate and excited, and they deserve an unforgettable, fun night out.”
The Empire Strips Back celebrates the resurgence of burlesque, while delivering a powerful experience for fans of the art form as well as the classic film series. “The artistic direction guiding every Star Wars-inspired burlesque show has its’ own personality, giving audiences the opportunity to appreciate different versions of the genre.”
Russall and producing business partner, Craig Ridgwell, have built a reputation for themselves in the Australian and London theatre circuits; clients include HBO/Foxtel, Warner Bros, EB Games, Sydney Film Festival, and Oz ComicCon. The two have worked alongside one another for 10 years as creative and producer of live shows, achieving cult-stardom for developing and promoting other internationally-acclaimed burlesque parodies such as Dames of Throne, Biba Wizard of Oz, Batman Follies, and Hail to The King, all seen by thousands in sold-out theatres across Australia.
