The Empire Strips Back at Rio Las Vegas
- TripTips
- Jul 2
- 5 min read
The Funniest, Sexiest Trip to a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Las Vegas has no shortage of adult shows, comedy shows, magic shows, celebrity residencies, and wild late-night entertainment. But every once in a while, a production lands in town that feels perfectly engineered for Vegas.
The Empire Strips Back at the Rio Las Vegas:
A Burlesque Parody is one of those shows.
The Empire Strips Back at the Rio Las Vegas, this production takes one of the most recognizable sci-fi universes in pop culture and flips it into a high-energy burlesque comedy experience filled with dance, parody, costumes, music, theatrical staging, and adult humor. It is not trying to be subtle. It is trying to be ridiculous, sexy, funny, and unforgettable.
And that is exactly why it works in Las Vegas.
Quick Details
Show: The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody
Location: Rio Hotel & Casino
Address: 3700 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103
Phone: (702) 777-7777 / Ticketmaster box office listing: 1-888-746-7784
Website: Official show site: TheEmpireStripsBack.com
Age Requirement: 18+
Duration: About 2 hours including a 15-minute intermission on the official site; Vegas.com lists the show length at 95 minutes, so guests should plan for roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. (The Empire Strips Back)
Ticket Prices: Official site says tickets start at $39; Travel Weekly reported tickets ranging from $49 to $119 plus tax and fees.
Pricing can change by date, seat location, demand, and ticket platform.
Rating: Vegas.com currently lists the show at 4.4 out of 5 from 185 reviews, which is above the site’s listed Las Vegas average of 4.2. (Vegas)
Current Showtimes and Days
According to the official Las Vegas show page, current scheduled showtimes are: (The Empire Strips Back)
Day | Show Time |
Monday | 8:00 p.m. |
Tuesday | No standard show listed on official schedule |
Wednesday | 8:00 p.m. |
Thursday | 8:00 p.m. |
Friday | 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. |
Saturday | 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. |
Sunday | 7:00 p.m. |
Doors open 30 minutes before showtime, and visitors should always confirm the exact date before booking because Vegas schedules can shift quickly.
What Is The Empire Strips Back?
The Empire Strips Back is an adult burlesque parody inspired by the Star Wars universe. It combines sci-fi fandom, comedy, choreography, striptease, pop culture references, and theatrical spectacle into one outrageous stage production.
This is not a standard burlesque show with a basic theme slapped on top. The show leans into character parody, detailed costumes, big props, music cues, and fan-service moments designed for people who understand the references. But you do not need to be a hardcore sci-fi fan to enjoy it. The core value proposition is simple: it is funny, sexy, over-the-top, and built for a crowd that wants something different from the usual Vegas night out.
The official show description calls it “a one-of-a-kind evening full of comedy, allure, and sci-fi in the world of burlesque.” (Rio Las Vegas)
The History of the Show
The Empire Strips Back began in Sydney, Australia in 2011, created by Russall S. Beattie. What started as a niche parody concept quickly turned into a word-of-mouth phenomenon, packing Australian theaters and building a loyal fanbase.
The show gained international attention after media coverage helped push it beyond Australia. Stage and Cinema notes that the production was originally conceived in Sydney in 2011 and later expanded after viral attention helped fuel broader demand. (Stage and Cinema)
That means, as of 2026, The Empire Strips Back has been around for about 15 years globally.
Its Las Vegas run is much newer. The production opened at the Rio Hotel & Casino in May 2025, with preview performances May 1–3 and standard performances beginning May 4, 2025. (The Empire Strips Back)
That makes the Las Vegas production roughly one year old as of mid-2026, but the brand itself has already proven it can travel, adapt, and sell across different entertainment markets.
Why Rio Is a Smart Home for This Show
The Rio is in the middle of a major repositioning era. For years, the property was known for classic Vegas entertainment, large rooms, off-Strip value, Penn & Teller, Chippendales, and its massive resort footprint. Bringing The Empire Strips Back into the property makes strategic sense because it gives Rio a fresh, adult, highly marketable production that speaks to tourists looking for something more unconventional than the standard Strip show.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Empire Strips Back became the first show not led by Chippendales to play the second-level theater after Chippendales moved out on New Year’s Eve. (Neon)
That matters because this is not just another imported production. It represents Rio’s entertainment refresh: more variety, more adult humor, more social-media-friendly moments, and more reasons for visitors to step off the central Strip.
What Makes the Show Fun
The magic of The Empire Strips Back is the collision of two worlds that should not technically work together, but absolutely do.
You get:
Burlesque choreography
Adult comedy
Sci-fi parody
Pop music and theatrical staging
Iconic character references
Big props and costume reveals
A rowdy crowd atmosphere
A Vegas-friendly dose of absurdity
The Las Vegas Review-Journal described the show as “farcical, fun and a force of nature,” highlighting scenes involving Jabba, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and C-3PO-style parody moments. (Neon)
This is the kind of show where the audience is not just watching. They are laughing, reacting, clapping, and leaning into the joke. It has the feel of a fan convention, comedy club, burlesque room, and Vegas after-dark attraction all rolled into one.
Who Should See It?
The Empire Strips Back is a strong fit for:
Couples looking for a fun adult night out
Groups celebrating birthdays, bachelor parties, or bachelorette parties
Sci-fi fans with a sense of humor
Visitors who have already seen the traditional Vegas shows
Locals who want something different from the usual Strip routine
Tourists who like comedy, parody, and adult entertainment without taking the night too seriously
This is not the best pick for someone who wants a serious theatrical story, a family-friendly show, or a traditional revue. It is intentionally playful, adult, and ridiculous.
That is the entire point.
Ticket Strategy
Official pricing starts at $39, but real-world pricing can vary depending on the night, seat section, platform, demand, and fees. Travel Weekly reported a range of $49 to $119 plus tax and fees, while third-party ticket marketplaces may show higher resale prices. (The Empire Strips Back)
Best move: check the official site first, then compare authorized ticket platforms. For Friday and Saturday nights, book earlier because those are the strongest Vegas entertainment windows.
TripTips Takeaway
The Empire Strips Back is one of the most Vegas-ready shows playing right now because it understands the entertainment economy perfectly. It is easy to explain, easy to market, easy to share, and built around a concept that sparks instant curiosity.
It is not just “a burlesque show.”
It is sci-fi nostalgia weaponized into adult comedy.
It is fan culture with a Vegas twist.
It is the kind of experience people book because it sounds outrageous, then talk about because it actually delivers.
For visitors looking for a fun, late-night, adults-only show at Rio Las Vegas, The Empire Strips Back deserves a serious spot on the itinerary.
Just do not walk in expecting a normal trip through the galaxy.
This one comes with jokes, lightsabers, laughs, and a lot less armor.
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