Mariah in no particular hurry during measured show
Few stars can be so comfortable in their fame that they take a mid-show break for a makeover while still onstage. But Mariah Carey, as pretty and delicate as fine crystal, took a few moments during her show last night at the Palms' Pearl Concert Theater to recline on a white couch while two man servants touched up her makeup, teased her hair and provided her with a glass of bubbly.
"You like the hair?" she asked. Yes. We like the hair. The scene didn't feel at all out of place, either, during Carey's coolly measured performance. I didn't think it possible for a recording artist to perform a full 90-minute show without breaking a sweat, but Carey seemed to manage that, maintaining a glossy, picture-perfect appearance throughout. The real heat came from the crowd, which stood and shouted such messages as, "We love you, M.C.!" and "You're beautiful, Mariah!" A few people near me appeared positively spellbound by Mimi, who still has that amazing, piercing voice.
As a result, Carey has appeal that stretches across seemingly every demographic (especially, it seems, gay men). It's being reported by my man URL - Ubiquitous Robin Leach - that the hotel might be ready to sign Carey for an extended residency at The Pearl. Given her evenly paced performance, if that were to occur, there would be scant concern about artist burnout. As a sample, perhaps, of what's to come, she's back tonight to conclude her weekend in Vegas (tickets are still available, at this writing, at the Palms Web site).
Additional notes from last night's show, assembled numerically. 61. Minutes after 8 p.m., the show's scheduled start time, that Carey was carefully lowered to the stage on a big swing to start the show.
4. Members of Carey's backing band.
3. Members of Carey's backing band who played keyboards (including the bassist).
2. Aerialists performing with a cube above the stage during "Angels Cry", a new song from her latest release, "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel".
3. Songs before Carey's first wardrobe change.
32. Number of wheels onstage for "Best of Me", as four backup dancers sashayed across the stage wearing roller skates.
1. Song performed by special guest Tre Lorenz, Michael Jackson's "Rock With You".
4. Age, in years, of the little girl in the row in front of me, held by her mother, who knew all the words to "We Belong Together".
2. Times the little girl has seen Mariah Carey in concert (she was taken to a show at age 1). (Las Vegas Sun)
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