Taking place in a galaxy not so far away on Sunday, May 4, Jake Ward via his North Bay Cabaret will be bringing his entertaining and sexy burlesque show, “May the Fourth Be With You: A Star Wars Burlesque & Variety Show,” to Petaluma’s Mystic Theater.
The cleverly titled day of celebration has not only become a day where people across the world celebrate Star Wars; it’s also the only known celebratory day featuring a lisp. (Think it through.)
Ward has been presenting all sorts of fun and edgy shows throughout the North Bay since as far back as 2016, when he first debuted a Star Wars-themed burlesque show at the now defunct Annie O’s in Santa Rosa.
From there, the show moved over to Santa Rosa’s Whiskey Tip and then the School of Rock (also RIP to both) before hitting the stage at Petaluma’s Phoenix Theater in 2019. Covid forced a pause in 2020-2022. But since then, the show’s been delighting people at Petaluma’s Mystic Theater.
Each year, the Mystic concocts some cosmic-themed cocktails, and fans are encouraged to dress in costume; the more outrageous the better might just help one win the costume contest. After the main show, there’s an “intergalactic DJ Dance Party” as well as an interactive laser/lightsaber game that will see one do battle until festivities wrap up.
We spoke to Ward about what one might expect from what would appear to be a clash of cultures.
Bohemian: Are you the originator of the Star Wars-themed burlesque show? I know there’s a bunch of them all over, but just curious if you are the brainchild or if you were inspired by someone else.
Jake Ward: We definitely didn’t invent the idea of Star Wars burlesque, but we’ve made it our own. One thing that sets our show apart is how many performance disciplines we bring under one roof. It’s not just burlesque; it’s a full-on variety spectacle featuring circus artists, contortionists, jugglers, pole dancers, sketch comedy, spoken word poetry, live parody music and more. It’s got all the sparkle and sass of classic burlesque, but with a wild, unpredictable, high-energy twist.
We first hosted “May The Fourth” at a time when we were experimenting with all sorts of pop culture-themed variety shows, like “Sin Peaks” (our tribute to David Lynch) and “The Life Erotic” (inspired by Wes Anderson). But the reaction to “May the Fourth” was so overwhelmingly positive, it was clear this one needed to become an annual tradition, especially on the official Star Wars holiday.
I’ll try to ask this in a non-judgy way but, aside from Princess Leia in “Return of the Jedi,” the Star Wars franchise isn’t terribly sexy. I mean, if large, angry, patricidal men are your thing, who am I to judge?
In short, I personally have a difficult time thinking of the Star Wars universe in terms of sexiness or burlesque type terms. However, I’m also not well versed in the burlesque-verse. What is it about Star Wars that lends itself to this type of performance? Or, is it a case of it’s such a strange combo it has to be seen to be understood?
Totally fair question, and honestly, part of the magic is that unexpected mix. There’s something inherently fun (and funny) about blending a beloved sci-fi epic with the playful, cheeky world of burlesque. But Star Wars actually lends itself surprisingly well to this kind of reinterpretation. The franchise is full of iconic characters, costumes and dramatic moments, which gives our performers so much to work with creatively, whether it’s building elaborate cosplay-inspired looks or reimagining a character’s arc through dance or satire.
It’s one of those things where the concept might sound strange on paper, but once you’re in the audience, it just clicks. People laugh, they cheer, they sometimes tear up—it’s a whole ride.
Fair enough. Can you name some of the more popular performers returning this year and also name some new folks you’re excited to have on the bill?
Absolutely. We’ve got some beloved returning performers, including Jamie DeWolf, who delivers an emotionally powerful spoken word tribute to Carrie Fisher that’s always a showstopper; Qu’in de la Noche, who returns with a mesmerizing Jedi-themed burlesque routine, lightsaber and all; and Guy Vigor, a male burlesque performer who brings a show-stopping act as Darth Vader, accompanied by Stormtrooper backup dancers.
Those names definitely ring a bell from previous shows you’ve done. Have you brought any new acts, or “Padawan Learners,” into the mix this year?
Yes. We’re also excited to welcome some new talent this year who have never performed at a North Bay Cabaret show before. Julia Sweeney, a local Sonoma County-based contortionist, will be performing a mind-bending act as R2-D2. Velvet Thorn, another Sonoma County artist, will perform a transformative burlesque act morphing from Finn to Kylo Ren. Leah Marie, from the Bay Area, will be heating things up with a golden C3PO pole dance performance.
It’s really a beautiful mix of returning stars and fresh faces.
I love that this is an early show since May the Fourth is not yet celebrated as a federal holiday, and this year it’s on a Sunday. Doors are at 6pm, show is at 6:45pm and wraps up at 9pm. If people are sensing a disturbance in their force, making them now sure they want to go, what can you say to sway them over to the dark side?
Whether you’re a die-hard Star Wars fan or you’ve never seen a single movie, this show has something for everyone who loves bold, live and boundary-pushing entertainment. North Bay Cabaret has always been about creating a space for underground artists and offbeat creativity here in Sonoma County. So if you’re looking to support local art and try something totally different, this is your chance. Skip the streaming service for a night, and come experience something that’s truly one-of-a-kind, in person, right in your own backyard.
Tickets for ‘May the Fourth Be With You: A Star Wars Burlesque & Variety Show’ are available now at the Mystic Theater website, or one may save a ‘convenience’ fee by grabbing them in-person at the venue. There are several tiers of tickets, with a Gold Circle seated near the front of the stage, reserved seating on the floor and balcony seating for those who’d like to enjoy from afar. There’s also VIP table seating available starting at $200. So one may come on down, enjoy a wild night and maybe find the droid they’ve been looking for.
