MARK HAMILL ANNOUNCES, “I’M DONE” WITH STAR WARS
“THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK: A BURLESQUE PARODY”
INVITES MARK HAMILL TO JOIN THE DARK SIDE
WITH PREMIERE NEW ROLE AS
DIRECTOR AND BURLESQUE PERFORMER
(June 7, 2023) – On CBS Sunday Morning, actor Mark Hamill announced that he will no longer play the role of Luke Skywalker. “I had my time, and that’s good. But that’s enough,” he said during an interview with [CBS Sunday Morning].
The hit theatrical show “The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody” was shocked and saddened by the news and is offering an alternative approach to the famed role for the acclaimed actor that might get him excited about the character again.
Dancer Rachel Hospers parodies Luke Skywalker in the Chicago production, driving and washing his Landspeeder. Rachel is thrilled by the possibility of Mr. Hamill’s involvement. “It would be an honor to pass the torch to Mark and teach him my Luke-inspired routine. There’s no one the audience would rather watch sexily washing his X-34 land speeder than the original Skywalker himself.”
James Barry, director, has somewhat graciously agreed to pass his Force powers over the show to Mark. “Our hit Off Broadway parody production feels deeply for Mark Hamill. We understand that he feels he is done with the role of Luke Skywalker. But has Mark ever gotten to play Luke while wearing a bikini top? We don’t think so.”
Dancer Terence Six4 Beckles parodies Chewbacca and plays the TaunTaun, carrying the parody Luke Skywalker character in the opening scene. Terence said “I would prefer not to carry Mr. Hamill in the opening scene, playing the parody TaunTaun. Laina Laprell is far smaller. We should focus Mr Hamill on the Landspeeder scene.”
The Empire Strips Back is offering Mark Hamill the role of Director and Performer for its New York and Chicago productions, along with its upcoming Seattle tour dates.
Featuring parodies of all of the classic 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 interpretations of the beloved franchise.
Transporting audiences to a world of burlesque fantasy, of menacing and sexy dance, of dangerous seduction, of hilarious parody, and even the droids you’re looking for. Your favorite characters are scantily clad, seriously sultry and live on stage!
The Empire Strips Back celebrates a resurgence of burlesque, while delivering a fun and rowdy experience for fans of the art form as well as the classic film series. Ariana Bindman of SF Gate said, “Popularized in the U.S. in the 19th century, burlesque blurs the line between comedy and adult entertainment, incorporating camp and theater in playful strip routines.”
Bindman continued, “Dark and sexy … with each draw of the curtain, we saw a series of acts that were visually decadent and tonally unique … a captive Princess Leia gyrating in a bikini to the Nine Inch Nails’ ‘Closer’ or sexy stormtroopers stomp to the relentless ‘Seven Nation Army’ … or resident space pimp, R2D2 making rain by ejecting wads of cash into the air while a braggadocious Han Solo undulated to ‘Smooth Criminal’ making every goth and nerd in the audience scream like animals.”
She concludes, “I saw the Star Wars strip show and now I’m forever changed. An enormous success … one of the most memorable and impressive live performances I’ve ever seen. I know that The Force is already with them.”
Calendar listing for The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody
NEW YORK
Venue: Orpheum Theater
126 2nd Ave, New York, NY, USA, 10003
Dates: From May 10, 2023
Times: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays at 7pm and 9:30pm;
Saturdays at 4pm, 7pm, and 9:30pm; Sundays at 4pm
Duration: 90 minutes with no intermission
Tickets: Starting at $49 at theempirestripsback.com
CHICAGO
Venue: Logan Square Auditorium
2539 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL, USA, 60647
Dates: From May 24, 2023
Times: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays at 7pm;
Saturdays at 7pm and 9:30pm; Sundays at 4pm and 7pm
Duration: 2 hours, including a 15 minute intermission
Tickets: Starting at $39 at theempirestripsback.com
SEATTLE
Venue: The Cornish Playhouse
201 Mercer St, Seattle, USA, WA, 98109
Dates: From June 21, 2023
Times: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays at 7pm and 9:30pm;
Saturdays at 4pm, 7pm, and 9:30pm; Sundays at 4pm
Duration: 2 hours, including a 15-minute intermission
Tickets: Starting at $47 at theempirestripsback.com
PHOTOS: High-resolution photos are available here.
Photo credit: Craig Ridgwell
Disclaimer: This is a parody production. Star Wars™ and its characters are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd or Lucasfilm Ltd. This production is not sponsored, endorsed by or affiliated with Disney, Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd, Lucasfilm Ltd or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and/or third-party licensors.
The Cast of The Empire Strips Back at The Montalbán Theatre in Los Angeles.
Photo Credit: Craig Ridgwell
The Cast of The Empire Strips Back at The Montalbán Theatre in Los Angeles.
Photo Credit: Craig Ridgwell
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