The French Neoclassical theater era has influenced today's society in many ways, including women's fashion, dance, architecture, and theatrical performances. We have seen this throughout history and it still persists in today's society. The term burlesque is generally considered to be mildly naughty theater produced and performed between the 1700s and World War II. Webster defines it as a literary or dramatic work that seeks to mock by means of bizarre embellishment or comic imitation, usually mocking through caricature or theatrical entertainment of a broadly humorous and often earthy character consisting of short tricks, comedy sketches and sometimes striptease acts. The word derives from the Italian burlesco, itself derived from the Italian burla – a joke, ridicule or mockery. Today, burlesque no longer has any significance as a modern marvel to most Americans. Burlesque is far from the common definition of the 20th century. The entertainment known as Burlesque has attracted many different types of audiences. “Burlesque” has been used in English in this theatrical sense since the late 17th century. It has been applied in hindsight to the works of Chaucer and Shakespeare. Later use of the word, notably in the United States, refers to performances in the form of variety shows. These were popular from the 1860s to the 1940s, often in clubs as well as theaters, and featured vulgar comedy and female striptease. American burlesque shows were originally an offshoot of Victorian burlesque. They consisted of three parts: firstly, they had comedy sketches by small comedians, secondly, they had male acts like acrobats, magicians and solo singers and thirdly, they had an English-style burlesque about politics or a topical piece. The entertainment was... middle of paper ... screaming. While the dancing has become less crude, the choreography has always tended to be a little risky and somewhat provocative. Notable artists at the Moulin Rouge include Ella Fitzgerald, Liza Minnelli, Elton John and Frank Sinatra. The video with Christina Aguilera was filmed at the Moulin Rouge.Works CitedBurlesque. Real. Steve Antin. Perf. Dear, Christina Aguilera. Screen Gems, 2011. DVD. “French Neoclassical Theatrical Movements”. French Neoclassical Theatrical Movements. Np, and Web. February 16, 2011. Merriam Webster Dictionary. Springfield, Massachusetts: G & C Merriam co., 1981. Print. Moulin Rouge. Real. John Huston. Perf. José Ferrer, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Suzanne Flon. Mgm (Video and DVD), 2001. DVD.New. Real. Rob Marshall. Perf. Daniel Day-Lewis, Penélope Cruz. Sony Pictures, 2009. DVD.