5 reasons to see Paula Abdul live
Nov 20th, 2018
By Mary Andrews, AXS Contributor
Paula Abdul dazzled Tucson with her “Straight Up Paula!” tour as the headliner for the Fox Theatre Foundation’s Chasing Rainbows Gala. The gala is an annual fundraiser for the nonprofit theatre.
The show and tour is Abdul’s first tour in 25 years. The show was a sketch of Abdul’s life and her show business career. The concert revealed many things that we were unaware. AXS was there and here are some things that we learned and the reasons why you should experience this show.
1) Abdul’s initial fame was for her work in choreography and dance
Abdul credited Gene Kelly during the show as her inspiration for following her path to the world of dance. There was a snippet of “Singing in the Rain” performed early in the set to commemorate Kelly. She spoke of the lasting impression that the movie made when she was four-years old. “He changed my life and I thank him for all the gifts he gave me.”
Abdul was discovered by ‘The Jacksons’ while she was performing as a cheerleader at a Los Angeles Lakers game. She was the head choreographer for the ‘Laker Girls.’ This led to music videos for the band and later for Janet Jackson’s “Nasty” music video.
The skilled dancer and choreographer added singing to her repertoire and she was signed to Virgin records.
2) Abdul’s debut studio album jelled her as a supreme dance-pop diva
The album, Forever Your Girl, had 6 singles released with four consecutive number one songs. It is a seven times platinum selling album in the United States alone. It ties for the second most number one singles from a single album.
Five songs from the album were performed from the album. “Straight Up,” “Forever Your Girl,” Opposites Attract,” “Knocked Out” and “Cold Hearted.”
Abdul released two more albums later, but did not achieve as much success. There were plenty of songs from her later albums in the show.
3) An amazing, interactive show
This was not a typical concert. There was huge video component as well as dance. The show was much like viewing a live music video.
The videos were mesmerizing as they started with Abdul standing around photos depicting herself from toddlerhood through high school. There was a section recreating her cheerleader days with the ‘Lakers.’ The video stretched across the stage that left empty spaces for Abdul and her dancers to fill. One had difficulty differentiating between the real dancers and the video at times.
The audience was pulled into the show with the lighting moving across the stage and into the seated crowd. Twice, the dancers and Abdul danced down the steps of the stage and into the aisles of the theatre. The performers, at some point, were physically next to the patrons.
There was a reincarnation of the “Straight Up” iconic black and white video. It was sexy, slinky, and hypnotizing.
Another very interesting video depicted a witty, behind-the-scenes world of Abdul’s “American Idol” days with Simon Cowell.
4) Still the prominent dancer in the troupe
This was not a show where the 56-year old stood in place and had her dancers do all the work. She proved from one sketch to the next that she could lead the dancers. Her dancing was a first and foremost element of the show. The gifted dancers seemed to be half her age. They were able to keep up with the star.
We were unable to discern whether she was singing or lip syncing while she was dancing, but it was not ultimately unimportant. There was a microphone in place at all times.
Abdul conducted a “dance off” with four volunteers from the audience. Everyone had their chance to show their moves without restraint. This was the only time Abdul did not dance.
5) Undeniable charm
Abdul stopped and spoke to the fans between each segment. The most heart rendering segment was when she spoke of her plane crash at the height of her musical career.
“I embarked on my “Spellbound” world tour. Toward the end of the tour, I boarded a small seven-seat jet with six other crew members. We took off from St. Louis and about a half hour into the flight one of the engines blew up. Boom, the right wing caught on fire. I didn’t have my seat belt on. We plummeted. I went straight up and my head hit the top of the airplane. I was knocked unconscious. When I came to, all seven of us were holding hands and praying. All I could think was this isn’t right. It’s not my time to go. We crash landed in flames on half an engine.
I woke up in the hospital only to find out from the neurosurgeon that I had crushed my entire neck. I had partial paralysis on my right side. It never went away for almost seven years. In those seven years I was in and out of every hospital seeing every top neurosurgeon all around the world trying to put me back together again. It was the worst time of my life. I wanted to give up, but I didn’t. It was for one reason and it was because of all the people holding me up and never leaving my side. I owe a debt of gratitude. I love you.”
Later in the show, Abdul passed through the theatre shaking hands and speaking to everyone she could reach. The medium sized theatre seemed to be the perfect size for this show.
For a complete set list, click here.
