'Tolkien It Off' burlesque to show a raunchy take on ‘Lord of the Rings’

Adult and childhood pleasures will collide Friday at a burlesque show inspired by “The Lord of the Rings.”

At “Tolkien It Off,” held at 10 p.m. at Market Street Pub and Cabaret, performers dressed like characters from the novel and film series will combine seduction, acrobatics and comedy, said Ruby Tesla, the show’s producer.

Among the characters portrayed will be Gollum, Radagast the Brown and Bilbo Baggins, she said.

“We are going to have some pretty impressive stunts in this show that haven’t been done before in this revue,” Tesla said.

The show, named after “The Lord of the Rings” author J.R.R. Tolkien, will take place at 112 SW First Ave. Attendees must be at least 18 years old.

In the past, cast members have participated in other themed productions including ones based off of the TV series “Game of Thrones” and the movie “Alice in Wonderland.”

Sierra Jones, a 24-year-old Santa Fe College network security junior, said she has been a fan of “The Lord of the Rings” since she was a little girl.

This Friday, she’ll be experiencing the series in a different light, Jones said.

Watching scantily-clad performers impersonate her favorite characters could make for an interesting evening, she said.

“It’s a great idea to combine the two,” Jones said.

Tickets may be purchased online for $12 at tolkienitoffgainesville.brownpapertickets.com or for $15 at the door. Doors open at 9 p.m. for the 10 p.m. show.