May the Fourth Be With You: The Empire Strips Back Show Celebrates One Year at the Rio

^{Cameras aren't allowed during The Empire Strips Back show, but the cast was kind enough to let us take some shots during the curtain call. Trust me, the full performance is spicy enough and worth the wait. (Photo: Vanessa Alves-Johnson / Casinos.com)}

LAS VEGAS – Anyone who's ever watched Star Wars knows the significance of May 4. When someone says, "May the 4th be with you,” it's an immediate nod to one of the most recognizable lines in film history. 

But this year in Las Vegas, the saying came to new life for the production of  The Empire Strips Back, which celebrated its first birthday at the Rio with a special event. The show, a Star Wars burlesque parody, had a little more hype than usual with themed special sweets and a special anniversary cake. 

The production debuted at the Rio on May 4 last year, with one show a day, Wednesday through Monday, and an extra show on Fridays and Saturdays. The show has done so well over its one-year run at the casino that the production company decided to take it up a notch by adding Tuesday shows. 

According to producer David Foster, operating the show seven days a week required additional cast and crew, but it was a natural next step following a strong first year. 

I attended the anniversary performance and spoke with Foster about how the show evolved into the biggest and best version Vegas visitors can see today.

‘Dark and Sexy’ Time for the Rebellion

The Empire Strips Back is a sexy, burlesque parody show built around the lore of the Star Wars universe. It's not necessarily told in a story format, but it builds on the plot and characters from the first three movies (A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi) in various acts during the show.

It’s worth mentioning that photography and videography are not allowed during the show. The only time you can take pictures of the performance is at the very end, since there is the occasional nip slip and suggestive move during the acts.

You'll see fun and exciting dances from both male and female dancers, along with comedy all throughout the show. Each act features a different character or group from the Star Wars universe, reimagined in sexy costumes, which really helps to play it up. 

The landspeeder makes for a striking backdrop, for a gorgeous burlesque performer in The Empire Strips Back. (Photo: Craig Ridgwell)

My first thought was that Star Wars and burlesque are not necessarily two genres people would naturally pair together, but the show does a great job of making that contrast feel intentionally campy yet still super entertaining. 

The show has been evolving for more than a decade. It started off in Sydney, Australia, before going international in London, Paris, and across North America. The Las Vegas version of the production is much different from any others. 

“Our Vegas show is sort of the pinnacle of all the shows prior and best of it that's ever been done,” Foster said. “The show had been evolving for over 10 years before coming here. After all, Vegas is not a testing place.”

After touring and staging productions in several cities, the team brought their strongest version of the show to Vegas and has kept it the same since landing here. It’s the first permanent production they’ve had and lives in the same theater that had once hosted Chippendales, one of the most popular male revues in the city.

According to Foster, the show is one you need to see firsthand to really understand how it works. 

Even better is that you don't have to be a Star Wars fan to enjoy it. This is a great choice to allow casual viewers who are familiar with Star Wars to recognize the characters and references without needing deep knowledge of the franchise. 

The joy of this show is that you can sit in the front row without getting the spotlight on you, unlike shows like Absinthe. Even Foster himself mentioned his personal experience of going to shows and disliking the fact that if you sit in the front, you may get involved in the show. That decision was intentional for audiences who want the best view of the show without becoming part of the act. 

May 4 was a Night to Remember

The energy in the room was high for the show's anniversary. Media attendees got commemorative badges, the cheers and stomps lasted all night, and people could take pictures with the stormtrooper performers.

The audience was made up of dedicated Star Wars fans and casual fans who were all ready to enjoy the show’s humor. The production is truly all about dance, and each act features a different visual style and musical style. You'll even watch Jabba the Hutt rapping along to “Mr. Boombastic,” or you'll see C-3PO strip down to basically nothing. 

The show host is Eric, Lando Calrissian’s supposed nephew. His comedy is light and fun while still keeping it adult with jokes here and there. It works well without overwhelming the show or overtaking the performances.

You'll see Han Solo, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, and Jabba the Hutt all make appearances in outfits you’ll never see in the actual movies. I absolutely loved the Jabba the Hutt number, and I can see why it's a favorite among my friends who have attended. The performers still play to the crowd without needing audience participation, and Foster told me that kind of response is really what keeps the team motivated.

Jabba the Hutt raps along to Shaggy's "Mr. Boombastic" in one of the best acts of entire show. (Photo: Craig Ridgwell)

It's also wonderful that it has its own unique genre that doesn't necessarily need to compete with other shows in Las Vegas. Foster told me he sees the show as part of a broader entertainment ecosystem in Vegas, where each experience offers something different. 

“I think it's silly to think of the other shows on the Strip as competitors,” Foster added. “We're all just creating these offerings for the millions of Vegas visitors. People may see multiple shows, and they’re just different audiences.”

This one just happens to combine the nostalgia and sci-fi of Star Wars with the burlesque and comedy that you see in a lot of Vegas shows. After attending the anniversary performance, I would recommend it to a local or a Vegas visitor. I can see why it continues to draw people to the Rio. It doesn't try to be too ambitious or mimic another show, but gives you a definite run for your money that you'll understand more when you actually go see it.

As the show heads into its second year, the goal remains simple: keep entertaining their audiences seven days a week and bring even more people through the doors.