Pauline Adamek
Created by famed Australian film, TV, theatre, and publishing maverick, Russall S. Beattie—the visionary who brought us The Empire Strips Back—is a new show The Gotham Follies of 1939.
This sexy show is an extraordinary coproduction/collaboration with The Montalbán, and is set to open at the grand venue in Hollywood, marking the world premiere of this dark night parody.
The Gotham Follies of 1939 makes its debut on June 1, 2024 in Hollywood at The Montalbán on Vine.
Advance tickets just went on sale today (for those who signed up for the waitlist).
Ticketing opens at 9AM on Wednesday, March 13, for the public. Tomorrow you will be able to purchase tickets here.
Above photo by Kristina Soljo.
Review to follow!
An inspired blend of burlesque, vaudeville, and contemporary entertainment, The Gotham Follies of 1939 is a parody stage production set during the Prohibition era in which a fanciful impression of Gotham City will be recreated on stage. The production acknowledges that Batman and all its characters are registered trademarks of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. This production is not sponsored, endorsed by, or affiliated with Warner Bros/DC COMICS Ltd, or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and/or third-party licensors. 18+ event
Created by Russall S. Beattie, audiences and fans are invited to experience a captivating parody that strives to strike a balance between live music, circus-like performances, burlesque, and cabaret. The infamous characters of the Dark Knight comic book series will be brought to life on stage in a tongue-in-cheek and entertaining fashion, promising an unforgettable, spicy, and hilarious night.
Teased as a prohibition-era burlesque parody with a twist of vaudeville, I’m expecting an acrobatic Batgirl, a hat-juggling Riddler, maybe some operatic arias from Mr Freeze and a tap-dancing Batman, plus some Busby Berkeley-style choreo performed by the scantily-clad Batman Follies dancers.
Promises Beattie, “This is one of – hopefully – four shows that we’re going to do at the Montalbán. It’s quite a big show – probably one of the biggest shows I’ve done. We’re presenting it here in L.A. because we want to be creative for the creatives.
“I just want to bring back the magic a little bit, but on a ridiculous scale. A big part of that, especially with the live shows, is going back to the things that inspired me.
“I am blown away by the support that we’ve had from the Montalbán. I’ve never had that from a venue before. I just love having the freedom to be able to do your own things and put it out there.
“I spent so much time finding the right people for the right roles and not just models. I wanted real people with real faces, you know, because the wrinkles and the scars tell stories. And that’s what we have with this new show.”
The Gotham Follies of 1939 will make its debut on June 1, 2024 in Hollywood at The Montalbán on Vine.
1615 Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028
Tel: 323-871-2420
Box Office: 323-461-6999
Show dates and ticket prices TBA.
About Russall S. Beattie:
An Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) graduate, Russall S. Beattie has worked in the entertainment industry for over two decades. Producing everything from TV series such as “The Hard Word” to managing touring Fringe shows and staging burlesque entertainment, his creatively envisioned live theatrical spectacles have toured the globe. He recently published a glamorous 245-page photography / history book “Gotham 1919-1939” to complement the upcoming stageshow.
In Sydney, Russall developed some of his most successful shows such as Dames of Throne, Batman Follies of 1929, BIBA Wizard of Oz, Hail To The King and, of course, his flagship show The Empire Strips Back.
The Empire Strips Back started out as a one off event for 100 people but soon developed to become a national theatrical stage show selling 70,000 tickets in Australia alone. Going from strength to strength, the level of creativity bringing a world that has only been experienced on the silver screen to life on stage wowed audiences everywhere it played. 2018 saw The Empire Strips Back embark on its first tour of the United States to rave reviews and sold out audiences. These shows have now been performed to thousands of people, touring theatres across Australia and established Russall unique style of entertainment which combined his love of cinema with live performance.
Montalbán History:
The Montalbán, Hollywood’s classic theatre reborn for a new era of screened entertainment and performing arts, is one of the few remaining mid-sized and fully equipped proscenium venues in Los Angeles. It features orchestra, mezzanine, loge, and balcony seating, and is known for its excellent sight-lines and acoustics.
The Ricardo Montalbán Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, bought the building in 1999. Humanitarian and Emmy Award-winning actor Ricardo Montalbán’s vision was to create a presence in Hollywood that provided inspiration and employment for young Latinos, as well as other underrepresented people throughout the community.
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