The Casino File
Those seeking gaming-hall entertainment of a different stripe are directed to Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City this weekend and next as “The Empire Strips Back,” a saucy, high-energy presentation that pokes fun at the “Star Wars” film franchise continues its mini-residency at the bayside pleasure dome.
“The Empire Strips Back,” which is billed as a “burlesque parody,” debuted Aug. 15, returned last Saturday and can be seen at The Concert Venue this Saturday and again on Sept. 4 and 5. According to its producer, the program is not easy to categorize.
“It is a parody burlesque of the sort-of world of ‘Star Wars,’ offered David J. Foster in his unmistakably Australian accent from his home base of Las Vegas. “It’s burlesque, although ‘burlesque’ has a sort of broad definition. It’s not topless or nude or anything. It’s a dance show; the key components of the show are dance and comedy.
“It’s a parody of ‘Star Wars’ that is expressed through dance and comedy. It’s essentially a variety-show format. So, there’s a host, a comedian and then there’s each of the numbers. It’s a very strange thing.”
Foster, who uses his middle initial to avoid being confused with the Grammy-glomming record producer of the same name, is not the show’s originator. “It was created by some other folks in Australia. I’m Australian, but I’ve lived in the States for almost 30 years. So, coincidentally, this was created by an Australian director.
“He had a venue in Sydney, a small music venue. And they did a bunch of these shows.
They did a ‘Game of Thrones’ one, they did a ‘Batman’ one, but it was the ‘Star Wars’ one that really popped.
“It’s a great story. It started in this tiny little 100-seat rock venue, and they refined it and refined it. And it just got bigger and bigger and soon they were playing like 1,000-seat theaters and touring Australia.”
Ultimately, Foster continued, “TESB” made its way to these shores for a couple tours, and then its producer pulled the plug. “And then, about three years ago, myself and my co-producer licensed it. But they previously toured like a band would tour: One night here, one night there. We treat it like a theatrical show, like a Broadway show. So, we’ll sit in a city for three months. And sometimes it’ll only be a week [or a handful of performances as at Harrah’s], but we treat it like a theatrical production.”
Anytime the word “burlesque” is applied to a production show, the question arises about its content — specifically, how far to the right on the raunch-o-meter the needle goes. But Foster advised that the more, shall we say, sensitive among us needn’t be concerned.
“I think the good thing about this show is that it’s very funny. It’s sexy, but never sleazy. And then you undercut that with some silly comedy stuff; those comic twists in the dance numbers really keep it from walking across the line. It’s sexy, but it doesn’t cross those lines. So, it’s a very cool show.”
For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com.
Halloween comes early to Resorts
The calendar says Halloween is still two months away, but the folks at Resorts Casino-Hotel say “Boo!” to that.
By the time you read this, the Boo Bar: Witches Edition, a Halloween-themed pop-up saloon, will have returned to Bar One, which is located off the casino floor.
Decorated in a witchy motif, Boo Bar will be scaring up a cauldron full of appropriately named cocktails, among them The Witch (Rum Haven, Blue Curacao, pineapple juice and Sprite), and The Warlock (Jose Cuervo, Blue Curaca, Green Apple syrup, sour mix and grenadine).
Beginning at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, the lounge will host the weekly “The Witches Dance,” for which patrons are encouraged to come in witch/warlock costumes. In addition to drink specials, revelers will be taught what’s described as a “special group dance” that will be flash-mob-ized at the 5 O’clock Somewhere bar near the Boardwalk entrance.
And in case your wardrobe doesn’t include a witch’s hat, you’ll be able to grab a free one at the bar (while supplies last).
Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.
