The Last Showgirl

Shelly Gardner, a 57-year-old showgirl, has spent three decades performing in the iconic Le Razzle Dazzle revue. Despite her age, she remains a pivotal figure in the show, regarded as a motherly presence by her younger co-stars, Mary-Anne and Jodie.

Eddie, the show's producer, delivers devastating news to Shelly during an impromptu dinner with her friends. He reveals that Le Razzle Dazzle will close in two weeks due to a decline in ticket sales, replaced by a contemporary neo-burlesque circus show.

Shell shocked by the closure announcement, Shelly worries deeply about her financial security. With shrinking paychecks and upcoming bills, she is haunted by the reality of having no retirement plan or alternative career opportunities.

Amidst Shelly's turmoil, her friend Annette shares her own financial struggles, revealing the dire straits she faces as a cocktail waitress. Her alcoholism and gambling addiction have cost her stability, yet she remains closely tied to Shelly.

Seeking solace, Shelly reaches out to her estranged daughter, Hannah, who is a photography student nearing graduation. Their reunion is strained, marked by Shelly's ignorance about Hannah's life and her attempts to bridge the gap.

Hannah attends one of Shelly's performances without her knowledge. After the show, she confronts her mother, expressing her hurt at Shelly prioritizing her career over their relationship. Their exchange leaves both feeling more disconnected than before.

Distraught over her own family issues, Jodie turns to Shelly for support but is met with rejection. Shelly, consumed by her troubles, fails to empathize with Jodie's pain, leading to a rift between them during a critical performance.

In desperation, Shelly invites Eddie to dinner to discuss her feelings of alienation as she grapples with aging and relevance. During the dinner, a shocking truth is revealed: Eddie is Hannah's father, a detail both have kept hidden from her.

Shelly attends a casting call, hoping for a new beginning and is met with harsh reality. The director’s blunt assessment of her dance abilities shatters her confidence, reminding her of the industry's cold nature towards aging performers.

Annette faces her own downfall as she loses her home due to unpaid rent. Her revelation to Shelly about living in her car and showering at the casino underscores the struggles that former showgirls face outside the spotlight.

Feeling the weight of her actions, Shelly reaches out to Hannah, leaving a heartfelt voicemail. She also seeks to mend her relationships with Jodie and Mary-Anne, trying to rebuild the bridges that her preoccupations had burned.

As Le Razzle Dazzle's final performance approaches, Shelly grapples with emotions of regret and hope. During the show, she imagines her daughter Hannah smiling at her, blurring the lines between reality and Shelly's own desires for forgiveness.

The closing night is a mixture of triumph and sorrow as the show comes to an end. Shelly's emotional journey culminates in her reflections on life, motherhood, and the theater, leaving her legacy behind even as the curtain falls.