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The Show Girl |
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Celine Dion’s “A New Day” The costumes were frumpy. You see better dancing at the free show at the Rio. And the Cirque effects? What Cirque effects? The lack thereof was the sharpest disappointment of all. So I guess you think I’m going to slam Celine’s new show. Surprise! I thought it was one of the most astonishing evenings available in LVNV. This woman has the voice of the century. After her opening number, there was a stunned silence before the riotous applause. Her voice is grand enough to fill a $95 million venue, which, the good gray New York Times pointed out, is more money than the GNP of most countries. Celine has the rare combination of unparalleled talent and infectious charisma. I haven’t seen anything like it since Elvis hisself wrapped a white scarf around my mother at the LV Hilton in 1969. She effortlessly seduces you into her world; you’re mesmerized until the final note. For 90 minutes, the map is her territory. Many of the critics disdainfully dismissed her gushing adoration of her son, Rene Charles. Of course, these folks were men. If they had another x chromosome, they would have understood her wonder and awe at motherhood was genuine. I still feel the same way about my son Austin and he’s turning 25. Some high notes: Celine sings “Fever” more feverishly than Peggy Lee. The best song in the show is “I Wish” by Stevie Wonder. Celine does some really fine hip hop moves to the syncopated beat. Of course, she does all her hits; they sound miraculous in person. The world’s largest light emitting diode screen in the world is a wonder. The images that flicker across it – a starry, starry night, a full moon, the sparkle of the Manhattan skyline -- have the class and the sass of a Broadway play. The blow-your-socks-off sound system gives the term “surround sound” a whole new meaning. The missteps: Celine suspended in mid-air singing “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face.” I don’t get it – you lose your footing when you fall in love? Here’s some advice: Jazz up the dance routines – right now they’re too sophomoric, just wasting time while Celine is changing clothes. And Celine is much too wholesome to pull off the Madonna shtick. She sings “Seduce Me” sitting in a big arm chair. The shirtless male dancers do their version of a lap dance, rubbing against her ever so carefully. She looks more embarrassed then turned on. The Chippendales are at the Rio if you want to see how it’s really done. In fact, what this show really needs is more skin. The chorines wear a tunic I wore to school in 1962. What’s wrong with this picture? Undress these ladies in some cool costumes, people. This is LVNV! Ditto for Celine. I saw the great clothes she has in her closet on Oprah! The show ends on a quiet note. That’s a mistake. See “Mamma Mia” and watch how a thunderous finale brings down the house. Here’s some things you need to know when you go. The show starts promptly at 8:30. However, get to Caesars no later than 8. Dress is fancy but assume you’re catching a plane at McCarran. You have to go through a metal detector, so heavy metal couture is inappropriate. Also slowing things down is the bar code scanner. This showroom has the latest new-fangled equipment – the usher scans the bar code on your ticket. This cuts down on clutter and prevents someone else from using your billet. Since I am not high enough on the food chain to have been invited to the star-studded opening, I bought a ticket. I paid $87.50 for the cheapest seat, because that’s all that was available. (The most expensive seat is $200, currently the highest ticket price in LVNV.) If you don’t have acrophobia, there’s no need to pay more. The promoters boast there’s no bad seat in the house and that’s really true. (Finally, truth in advertising!) Wolfgang Puck and Southern Wine and Spirits, two LVNV powerhouses, have cooked up sophisticated food and drink offerings at the concession stand. You’ll have to go to the Speedway to find a $10 hot dog. I saw show No. 5. Celine was excited, electric and enthusiastic. We’ll see how she feels her this time next year. Currently, her childlike joy makes the show crackle. The stage has a moisture zone to protect her from Vegas voice. But it can’t ward off the ennui that’s enveloped some of LVNV’s long-term headliners. Time will tell. Even with the negatives, this show is an A plus. I can’t wait to go again. 
Night Out Las Vegas' Other Reviews - |
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