Act One
Sean, the emcee of the show, introduces us to the Burlesque Lounge, a burlesque venue in New York, owned by Tess ("Welcome to Burlesque"). We are also introduced to the stars of the lounge: Daphne, Queenie, twins Spring and Summer, Sophia and Nikki, who is late again, so Tess finishes the number instead.
In her small town in Iowa, Ali is rehearsing with her choir ("Something's Got A Hold On Me") and she keeps stepping out of line, loudly riffing to the song. Ali confides in Miss Loretta, her choir teacher, and shows her a letter from her recently deceased mother with information about her biological mother, Theresa. Miss Loretta encourages Ali to travel to New York to meet her. After sending her a letter, Ali gets on a bus to the Big Apple, hoping to find her place ("Got It All From You").
Back at the Burlesque Lounge the show continues with a couple of short numbers from Dafne ("What Are Clothes") and Queenie ("Pretty Girls Only"). Ali arrives and briefly speaks to Jackson, the bar manager, then sneaks backstage looking for Theresa, now known as Tess, but is rudely dismissed by her, when trying to tell her she's her daughter. Nikki arrives late again and performs her solo after an argument with Tess about always being late and drinking too much ("Sugar Daddy Diet"). In the audience is Vince, Tess's ex-husband and part owner of the Burlesque lounge, who wants for Tess to buy his share of the lounge, but is also dismissed, as Tess has no time nor money for him.
Ali is waiting for Tess after the show, but Jackson reveals she already left and offers Ali to crash on his couch for the night. As they get to know each other more, the two share a classic rom-com moment in Jackson's apartment ("Too Soon"), which ends when Jackson receives a call from his girlfriend Natalie.
The next day, after the twins burlesque number ("Dirty Martini"), Jackson hires Ali as a waitress at the Burlesque, with a warning that Tess hates waitresses whose goal is to star in the Burlesque. While cleaning tables Ali cannot resist but bursting into song ("Don't Make Me Sing"), catching everyone's attention. Sean introduces Ali to the history of burlesque as a genre, after her comment about the Burlesque being a strip club ("Big"). The show-stopping number is interrupted by Tess scolding Sean for overspending and Tray, one of the dancers, for always wearing the girls outfits. Tess shares with Sean that the Burlesque is in deep financial trouble but she is determined to continue fighting ("You Haven't Seen the Last of Me").
After closure, Vince sneaks in Tess's office and finds the final notice from the bank and Ali's letter. He decides to use the information against his ex-wife ("Ammo"). At Jackson's apartment, Ali and Jack are growing closer. Jack walks in on Ali performing one of his songs, she is embarrassed at first, but then asks him to play the song on the keyboard ("Show Me How You Burlesque - pre reprise"). Impressed by her vocal talent, Jack convinces Ali she should be performing at the Burlesque lounge.
The next day when Nikki is late again, she refuses to perform the first number ("Wagon Wheel Watusi") and says she will wait for her solo. This escalates into an argument with Tess, who fires her. During the dance number Vince tells Ali he knows the truth about her. Ali is about to tell Tess the whole truth, when Jack interrupts her and says she should be performing. Tess dares her to sing for the Burlesque audience and Ali surprises everyone with incredible talent ("Tough Lover").
Act Two
Back at the Burlesque Lounge, Tess has agreed to make some changes to the show, adding new ideas suggested by Ali ("Express"). Ali has grown closer to the girls, is planning a gender reveal party for Sophia's baby and welcomes Tray, who now goes as Chardonnay, into the girls dressing room. A new number is shown, including ("Bump & Grind"), which features a heavily pregnant Sophia.
Vince secretly hears a conversation between Sean and Tess, where she mentions a deposit she has saved for her daughter. He convinces Nikki to impersonate Ali, by stealing her driver's licence and key to the deposit box and collect the money from the bank, while Ali is performing at the Burlesque ("Bad Girl/Good Girl"). After the show, Ali and Tess share a moment backstage, with Tess sharing how she loves the performers as her own daughters and showing Ali how to put on make-up ("Make-Up").
Jack sings a song about Natalie ("Natalie") and the two break-up over the phone. Ali and Jack get together, with Ali also slowly becoming the star of the Burlesque ("Bound to You"). After spending the night together, Jack walks in naked, offering Ali a snack ("Cookie"). Nikki meets with Vince with a briefcase in hand, but, before giving him the money, demands to know what he's hiding. He is reticent at first, but reveals Ali's secret once he sees the briefcase is empty.
With the impending end of the Burlesque, Ali suggests a big night, with new dresses made by Queenie, and new numbers, including one choreographed and inspired by Sean ("Bigger"). Vince lies to Ali saying Tess knew about her all along, but was using her for her talent. He then tells Tess Ali is her daughter and was using her to get onstage. Ali runs away, so the show cannot continue leading to the end of the lounge. Backstage, Tess is heartbroken ("Make-Up (reprise)").
Nikki finds Ali and gives her the money, convincing her to return to the lounge and join her revenge plot against Vince. Nikki has called him to the lounge under false pretence. Tess and Ali join in, making him confess, while Jackson films everything ("Call Mamma Daddy").
Tess and Ali clear the air and everyone welcomes Ali back ("Welcome to Burlesque (reprise)"). Ali insists to use the money for the lounge, as she has finally found a place to call home ("Got it All From You (reprise)"). Three months later the Burlesque lounge is thriving again ("Epilogue") and everyone unites for the final number ("Show Me How You Burlesque").
