Evolving from an underground movement to a nearly mainstream fetish, neo-burlesque embraces a wide variety of modern interpretations all based on the classic bump and grind and 'taking it off' with a wink and a smile. From classic tributes to punk rock revisionists, women of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds are rediscovering burlesque and reinventing it. A sense of heightened imagination, empowerment, and energy are being delivered to the stage, perhaps even more so than during the historic heyday, the Golden Age of Burlesque.

Slipping behind the scene, Burlesque undresses the issues of feminism, modern popularity, and what exactly draws the unique and varied audience members to the shows. The women—and men!—of burlesque also receive their fleshed-out dues by a categorized peek into the various troupe styles including classical; re-creationists; revivalists; modern; circus; performance art; political; queer; bawdy singers; and comics.

Peppered throughout the book are full-color and black-and-white photographs and illustrations that fully instill the picturesque dance into the reader's mind.