Britney Spears Takes Over Las Vegas

29 Dec, 2013

Las Vegas may never be the same now that Britney Spears has started a residency in Nevada’s Sin City. “Britney: Piece of Me” debuted at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino this weekend.

Spears dances on a 100-foot stage, backed by 14 dancers and one of the world’s largest video installations. She enters from a spherical cage that descends from above. Near the end, Spears leaps from a giant tree, flying across the stage on a cable.

While her microphone is live and Spears appears to be singing, much of what the audience hears is from pre-recorded tracks of 21 hits from her pop career.

A live four-piece band plays behind Spears, visible on scaffolding at the rear of the stage. But evidence that much of it is pre-produced comes when Will.i.am appears on video to perform “Scream & Shout” with Spears.

Backing tracks for vocals are not new or unexpected, considering that Spears is running around the stage for most of the 90-minute show.

The 4,600 people attending her opening night Friday seemed willing to suspend any disbelief. They also mouthed the familiar lyrics to “Baby One More Time,” “Oops I Did It Again,” “Toxic,” “Circus,” “Womanizer” and “Slave 4 U.” She includes songs from her just-released album “Britney Jean.”

Planet Hollywood describes the remodeled Axis Theater as “part nightclub and part theater.” The VIP section includes bottle service, tables and a dance floor.

Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Selena Gomez and Mario Lopez were among Spears’ celebrity friends in the VIP section on opening night.

CNN

Image Denise Truscello/AP

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