Big Sho' Theater

The Big Sho' Theater is a location in Paper Mario: The Origami King, a four-story tower where stage productions are held. The blue streamer spool is held on the fourth floor, guarded by Rubber Band. There are no ? Blocks or Not-Bottomless Holes to be found here. In fact, there is only one collectible treasure to find and one Toad to rescue, aside from the Toads in the audience.

Layout
The theater can only be accessed after obtaining the Shogun Studios Master Key from Luigi in the Ninja Attraction. However, when Mario, Olivia, and Bob-omb first enter the theater, there is a crowd of Folded Soldiers and Paper Macho Soldiers waiting outside, chasing them out of the theater. Mario, Olivia, and Bob-omb must wear the Goomba Mask, walk in, and carefully and inconspicuously enter the theater. When Mario, Olivia, and Bob-omb exit the theater, these enemies are nowhere to be found.

There is not much to do in the lobby, except to save using the Save Block just beside the doors. Mario is soon called into the theater, where all of the seats are filled except three in front. At first, they are happy to get good seats before realizing all of the Toads are tied to their seats using rubber bands. A Toad onstage also had a rubber band on his head and acts as the narrator for the acts.

The first act is a western theme, and begins with a few Paper Macho Shy Guys having a discussion about a deadly outlaw coming to their town. Just then, another Shy Guy runs in to warn them of the outlaw's coming, and they do so. The outlaw, a Paper Macho Goomba, appears and threatens them. A hero is called to action, prompting Mario to come up onto stage. To defeat the outlaw, the player must wait until the word "Fire!" appears onscreen and press to fire Mario's pistol, defeating the outlaw. There are a few distractions occurring onstage, and if the player shoots early or too late, they lose. However, just after the Paper Macho Goomba is defeated, a Paper Macho Spike comes onstage for another round. After he is defeated, a Paper Macho Snifit Outlaw acting as their leader arrives for one last battle. Once he is defeated, the act ends and Mario is declared the hero to a round of applause.

Mario is then able to return to his seat. However, before doing so, he can head stage right behind the curtain to find a treasure chest containing the one collectible, Collectible Treasure #53: Paper Macho Snifit Outlaw. He may then proceed stage left behind the curtain to find a small, origami cactus acting as a prop, which is revealed to be a Green Toad. Mario may then take his seat to reach the second floor and second act.

The second act is a two-sided romance scene starring Birdo. She is first confronted by a gang of green Paper Macho Koopa Troopas, then a gang of red Paper Macho Koopa Troopas, both looking to make her happy. Birdo rejects both of the leaders and calls Mario onto the stage. When he does, the gangs become angry and team up on him, leaving Birdo to spectate on a balcony. To defeat them, Mario must hop on their shells and hammer them once they are stopped. After defeating the leaders, Birdo shares a romantic moment with Mario and the act ends, allowing everyone to move onto the third floor and third act.

The third act is a simple ballet routine to the theme of . Mario is once again called onstage, and joins in the choreography. Everything goes smoothly until he is tasked with holding a Paper Macho Shy Guy in the air. He becomes exhausted and drops it, destroying him. The other performers are angered and attack; they must be defeated to end the act. They may then advance to the fourth and final floor and act.

First, there is a curtain call for all of the performers. Mario is then asked to come onstage to take a bow - he gets a big round of applause, angering Rubber Band. He struts onstage with a dramatic entrance and challenges Mario to battle. After he is defeated, all of the rubber bands tying up the audience and narrator also disappear, effectively and essentially rescuing those Toads. Additionally, a Magic Circle appears, allowing Mario to use the 1,000-Fold Arms to destroy the blue streamer spool.

Profiles

 * Collectible Treasure #46: "The symbol of Shogun Studios. Its four-story interior has been turned into a multistage theater with unique seating."

Trivia

 * The second act is quite similar to , which depicts a battle between the Greasers and Socs. One of the green Koopa Troopas even refers to Mario as a "greaser" when he meets Birdo.
 * The Paper Macho Koopa Troopa gang leaders in the second act wear sunglasses, similar to Koopa Troopas in the Paper Mario games prior to Paper Mario: Sticker Star.
 * Birdo's line "Now I've got Mario madness... and you've got the only cure.♡" references the American boxart for Super Mario Bros. 2, which had "Mario Madness" as a tagline on it.