It's now or never for 'A New Day'

[VinnyT.]

It's now or never for "A New Day"

The clock is ticking on Céline Dion's big Vegas stage show—see it soon or be sorry.

 

By Neal Broverman

 

An Advocate.com exclusive posted July 13, 2007

 

The sun is rapidly setting on "A New Day...", Céline Dion's polished Vegas spectacular, so now is the time to give yourself over to the pop extravaganza's bombast and pleasure.

 

Since March 2003 the Canadian chanteuse has been thumping her chest at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, an arena the casino built just for her. Nearly four and a half years later neither singer nor venue looks worse for the wear—Caesars remains Vegas's best theme casino, and Céline is as toned as a whittled toothpick.

 

It's a thrill to see the star, who still has an aura of untouchable mystery, up close and personal. She's first spotted as a tiny holographic figure descending a grand staircase, her silhouette growing larger and larger, until…oh, there she is!

 

Dressed simply in flowing black, she dives into her hit "A New Day," sonically laying the groundwork for the show's themes of optimism and beginnings. She knocks off a mixed bag of ballads—"The Power of Love" (moving), "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" (fun in a Meatloaf sort of way), "Because You Loved Me" (mawkish), and "To Love You More" (competent).

 

Franco Dragone, the show's director, bathes Céline in beautiful light, placing her in exotic locales (castles, Times Square, the sky) while lithe dancers prance around her. There's just enough distraction—including enormous instruments gliding through the air—to keep the eye as entertained as the ear.

 

The show's middle is a mélange of Céline's upbeat tunes. "I'm Alive" is a good kickoff to the dance party, and her cover of Cyndi Lauper's "I Drove All Night" is phenomenal—just try not to tap your toe.

 

Céline moves on to "If I Could," a sappy song about her kid. The song stinks, but afterward Céline says how thankful she is to ply her trade. She comes off as sweet and spontaneous; she even allows a teary female fan to run onstage and hug her.

 

It's now French time. Who knows what she's singing about (lyrics aren't really the point with her, anyway), but it sure sounds "purty." Céline then pops out in a short, sparkly Tina Turner dress that highlights her perfect stems. She offers up Peggy Lee's "Fever" and Ike and Tina's "River Deep, Mountain High." Not bad. She's no dancer, but she's far from awkward. Oh, and there's a rap after that. Yeah, don't ask.

 

Now it's time for the finale, and the song everyone's been waiting for—“My Heart Will Go On.” She enters stage right, looking ethereal in a beautiful baby-blue gown, lights twinkling behind her. (There's no sinking ship, thank God.) The ballad is sung straightforwardly; it's a bit anticlimactic. But come on, being able to say you heard the Titanic song live is a bragging right that will long outlive this show.

 

"Céline Dion: A New Day..." is at Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South until December 15, 2007 (Bette Midler takes over in February). Tickets range from $87.50 to $225: (877) 423-5463; ticketmaster.com.

[ZoraSourit]

Thanks for sharing this! "See it soon or be sorry" says it all. Edited July 13, 2007 at 10:56 PM by ZoraSourit

[Céline's Blues]

Thanks for the review. Absolutely unprofessionally written and so dead pan.

[KimboCosmo]

Um, and for the end shows, the tickets are up to $300+

[DianaLuts]

I don't get where they got "Fever" from. Could it be they confused it with LCMM that actually has rap? The writer doesn't know what he is talking about. And you are right Kim, the are dead wrong on the prices....But the title says it all.

[celinerific]

This article is directed to people like me.

It's a shame I still can't go though. I know I'll be missing out on one of the world's most spectacular shows.

But either way, I'm really proud of Celine!

Edited July 14, 2007 at 01:23 AM by celinerific

[KimboCosmo]

This article is directed to people like me.

It's a shame I still can't go though. I know I'll be missing out on one of the world's most spectacular shows.

But either way, I'm really proud of Celine!

Have you not already been? Why not? Girl, you gotta do yourself that one thing! It's hard for me, but I'm making myself go!

[nature boy]

I love it how they write an article (OK it was mainly good) but they don't really know what they are talking about.

[celinesounds]

thanks

[newyorksnl15]

don't remember fever being performed

[blue.grave]

I know I must go see Celine show I Las Vegas. I will suck for me if I can't.

[RLAAMJR.]

I really wanted to watch the show before it ends but I don;t have enough money to go to america.

[Amnesia]

Is Fever back in the show?!!!!!

[nature boy]

Well I was going (still am can't cancel flights and hotels) but he showt was cancelled! A whole week of shows I'm still really upset about it.

[Cambroneroj]

The article is completely directed to the gay comunity for sure, its very good to my opinion, i got a good vibe from it.

[Davey84]

It's now French time. Who knows what she's singing about (lyrics aren't really the point with her, anyway), but it sure sounds "purty." Céline then pops out in a short, sparkly Tina Turner dress that highlights her perfect stems. She offers up Peggy Lee's "Fever" and Ike and Tina's "River Deep, Mountain High." Not bad. She's no dancer, but she's far from awkward. Oh, and there's a rap after that. Yeah, don't ask.

 

hmmm is Fever back in the show?? And I think this guy went to the bathroom, uhm and then gotten drunk cos I don't remember RDMH coming after PQTME and a rap coming after RDMH!

 

 

Now it's time for the finale, and the song everyone's been waiting for—“My Heart Will Go On.” She enters stage right, looking ethereal in a beautiful baby-blue gown, lights twinkling behind her. (There's no sinking ship, thank God.) The ballad is sung straightforwardly; it's a bit anticlimactic.

 

So true hè Robin???

 

But come on, being able to say you heard the Titanic song live is a bragging right that will long outlive this show.

 

Edited July 14, 2007 at 06:17 PM by Davey84

[maxceline]

some parts are good..other...

[changepas39]

:( i wish i could see it so badly!!

[LD1977]

Well I was going (still am can't cancel flights and hotels) but he showt was cancelled! A whole week of shows I'm still really upset about it.

 

Which shows are cancelled???

[nature boy]

The final week in November (19th-28th) the last two dates 29th and 30th are still on. I had tickets for the 21st and 23rd.

[Shaun]

Yawn. That review could've been written by anyone. Tells everyone nothing new.

[nature boy]

...apart from Fever back in the show......

[LD1977]

The final week in November (19th-28th) the last two dates 29th and 30th are still on. I had tickets for the 21st and 23rd.

 

Oh, I am so sorry for you! Will you try to extend your time in Vegas, or not? I dont understand why they plan a show and then cancel it. They must know people are coming from all over the world and plan their trips months before the actual date. So they also must know how bad it is when they cancel. Did they give you a reason for that?

Edited July 15, 2007 at 06:59 PM by LD1977

[kathyc25]

ah the advocate...

[Andrei Dion]

Wow great! i felt very proud reading this article!

[KimboCosmo]

The final week in November (19th-28th) the last two dates 29th and 30th are still on. I had tickets for the 21st and 23rd.

 

Oh, I am so sorry for you! Will you try to extend your time in Vegas, or not? I dont understand why they plan a show and then cancel it. They must know people are coming from all over the world and plan their trips months before the actual date. So they also must know how bad it is when they cancel. Did they give you a reason for that?

My tickets are for the 29th...and I'm still scared about that. I hope she doesn't go ahead and cancel the rest in Nov. I'm crossing my fingers, cuz my ticket for that night is really good for my first time seeing her!

[celinerific]

This article is directed to people like me.

It's a shame I still can't go though. I know I'll be missing out on one of the world's most spectacular shows.

But either way, I'm really proud of Celine!

Have you not already been? Why not? Girl, you gotta do yourself that one thing! It's hard for me, but I'm making myself go!

I can't afford to go.

Sad, but true. I have to accept the fact that I'll just have to experience A New Day... virtually on DVD.

[KimboCosmo]

This article is directed to people like me.

It's a shame I still can't go though. I know I'll be missing out on one of the world's most spectacular shows.

But either way, I'm really proud of Celine!

Have you not already been? Why not? Girl, you gotta do yourself that one thing! It's hard for me, but I'm making myself go!

I can't afford to go.

Sad, but true. I have to accept the fact that I'll just have to experience A New Day... virtually on DVD.

I'm sorry. Well, the DVD will be awesome! That is all I have right now...I haven't been yet, so I still don't know what it's like...all these people talking about Vegas plans sometimes drives me bonkers! Your day will come, don't give up!

[LD1977]

The final week in November (19th-28th) the last two dates 29th and 30th are still on. I had tickets for the 21st and 23rd.

 

Oh, I am so sorry for you! Will you try to extend your time in Vegas, or not? I dont understand why they plan a show and then cancel it. They must know people are coming from all over the world and plan their trips months before the actual date. So they also must know how bad it is when they cancel. Did they give you a reason for that?

My tickets are for the 29th...and I'm still scared about that. I hope she doesn't go ahead and cancel the rest in Nov. I'm crossing my fingers, cuz my ticket for that night is really good for my first time seeing her!

 

I am crossing my fingers for you as well! But I am almost sure they wont cancel it anymore. It does not make sense, they would have done that right away with the other shows! I have good hopes for you!

[nature boy]

I emailed TC and the official site but got no responce back apart from "sceduling conflicts". I've emailed them since to try and find out more but had NOTHING back. Not that I was expectiong anything, but it would have been nice.