The Empire Strips Back is the new show at the Rio. ESB began as a small production in Sydney, Australia, and grew to a point where it has played in 40 cities, including London, Paris, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and now Vegas.
While it’s based on the original Star Wars trilogy, it’s a jiggle show first and foremost, with nine female dancers, two males, and an emcee. Like all shows of this type, it’s one vignette after another and you have to marvel at where they get the ideas to make them different enough, but that’s where the Star Wars theme works, as the segments play off the oh-so-well-known characters — Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, R2-D2, CYoda, Jabba the Hutt, Chewbacca, and on and on. Of course a strip show has to have familiar music and this one delivers, featuring licks by Run DMC, Backstreet Boys, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, and Guns N’ Roses, among many others.
Sexy Quotient
Make no mistake, the SQ (sexy quotient) is high, but there’s almost no nudity. Other than some flashing topless moments, the rest is pretty much everything butt. We have to admit, watching the Storm Troopers strip down to their Under Wars is titillating, but that doesn’t have a thing on the moment when it becomes clear that Darth Vader is a girl!
Speaking of girls, the ladies in the audience get their turn when Luke does his thing to “Smooth Criminal,” with a few more performances by the guys throughout (after all, this was the former Chippendales stage). The highlight of the show is a romp by Chewbacca, who, thankfully, doesn’t disrobe (in part because he doesn’t have any clothes to take off). The entire cast comes out to tie a bow on it in the cool finale.
Intermission
This is one of the only shows in town that has an intermission. It’s 20 minutes, which stretches the run time to almost two hours. Some like it, some don’t. We didn’t mind, if only for an easy bathroom break (see “Pro Tips”).
Pro Tips
Here are two. During the intermission, the closest restroom is mobbed. Go down the escalator and walk back toward the casino to access an easier bathroom play. And seating is tight, uncomfortably almost, especially if you want to move while the row is seated. The showroom is small, so there’s no sightline penalty for sitting in the back where it’s less cramped. If you’re not seated there to start, those seats open up after the intermission.
The Verdict
This is a good Vegas show. Whimsical, appropriately raunchy, definitely sexy, funny enough, and the dancing is impressive. The price is right (given today’s standards) starting at $76. Before and after the show there are ample good choices for dinner, then some 9/6 Jacks or Better video poker. As we’ve been pointing out since the Rio came under new ownership, it keeps getting better over there and this show is a worthy addition to the mix.