It’s a good thing that the rains stopped because otherwise I would surely be struck by lightning for this:
I really liked a Britney Spears concert.
Elevated by the presence of the newly buff Britney, Tuesday’s "Circus" spectacle at Amway Arena was the best performance by the pop star I’ve ever seen. Structurally, of course, it was virtually a carbon copy of her Tampa show in March, down to the same ad libs and transitions.
This time, however, the svelte singer looked to be having a better time. It was easier to tell because there was a lot more Britney on the big video screens above the three rings below. In Tampa, there was nary a close-up all night long, lest anyone get a look at the pudgy Britney.
The video element was important because it gave the audience, especially in the upper bowl, a chance to see the singer’s facial expressions: an array of smiles, winks and nods that made things more personal. With Britney, of course, "Freakshow" isn’t just a song title, it’s a state of mind.
Under the "big top," the circus mood was heightened by the inspired addition of the Big Apple Circus. That troupe of funky gymnasts was astounding in a 20-minute opening set that featured amazing leaps on balance beam, hip-swiveling hula-hoop fun and a trampoline act by a legless woman.
It was nice to see the circus theme used as more than an excuse to demonstrate sexual positions.
Not that there wasn’t plenty of that.
"I make it hot," Spears proclaimed as she descended from the rafters to do the "Circus" opener. Accompanied by dozens of dancers, acrobats, magicians and jugglers, it was a visual feast.
The stage, which took up most of the arena floor was an attraction on its own. With an assortment of trap doors, descending curtains and other gadgets, it was a Swiss Army Knife of possibilities.
All of those diversions, along with a sound mix that was surprisingly hospitable, allowed the show to overshadow the music.
Not a bad idea.
Dance-friendly songs such as "Radar" and "Hot As Ice" are still utterly dopey. It also was exceedingly unlikely that the ringmaster was actually singing.
And despite her new physique, Britney hasn’t improved much as a dancer. Her moves in sexually charged songs such as "Boys" and "Do Somethin’. " still look more like the midnight moves of a drunken sorority sister than choreography.
Again, it was the diversions to the rescue. There was Britney being sawed in half or riding around in a circus cage on wheels for the anti-paparazzi anthem "Piece of Me." And what was the deal with the bicycles on "Boys"? Britney’s was equipped with a stripper pole, which can’t be standard issue.
There was but the briefest nod to her bubble-gum roots, with a remixed run through ".. .. . Baby. One More Time" near the finale. For that one, she wore horn-rimmed specs and clung to what looked like a chain-link fence. What was that? Librarians in prison?
Whatever.
Undoubtedly, I’ll endure abuse from my rocker friends for loving this show, but as guilty pleasures go, it’ll be worth it.
Besides, it’s good to see Britney back. It’d be sad to see her spiral downward in the tradition of Michael Jackson, Elvis and Marilyn.
If Tuesday is any indication, her second act is already under way. In the big top, the show must go on.
I’ve officially been the music critic at the Orlando Sentinel for 10 years, but the topic has been a lifelong distraction...
