Review: ‘Divas’ deliver a strong performance at MGM

Friday, May 24, 2002 | 9:22 a.m.

Ellen DeGeneres said it plain and clear at the top:

"Tonight is ladies' night in Las Vegas."

Yes, ma'am.

Without question the concept behind the "Divas" series -- the fifth installment of which assaulted MGM Grand Garden Arena on Thursday night for "Divas Las Vegas" -- is to focus on, magnify and celebrate women. It's a show by women, for women, to showcase the power, influence and artistic achievement of women. I am woman, hear me roar.

But the underlying message, brought forth during the two-hour show, is these "Divas" are happy to act like guys. In fact, they're better at acting like guys than most guys, relishing the chance to flex their muscles en masse.

And on Thursday, it worked.

The capacity crowd and millions watching the live telecast (tape-delayed in the Pacific time zone on VH1) were treated to a buoyant, variety-spiced and decidedly macho show. It was a rousing good time, its momentum tempered only by the inevitable speed bumps of commercial breaks.

The proceedings were ably navigated by DeGeneres, who managed to tailor her club-comic act to a concert crowd dying to dance: Her funniest bit: "Cher and I have a lot in common. We dress alike -- we both wear shoes. We both know the words to all of her songs. And neither of us date older men."

Including Cher, who stood out on this night, the latest "Diva" lineup was Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige, Dixie Chicks and Shakira. Billed as "special guest performers" were Anastacia, Stevie Nicks, Whitney Houston and Cyndi Lauper.

Yet despite all the female firepower, it was a heavily testosterone-laced experience, replete with Mick Jagger-type strutting and sauntering, Billy Idol-type fist-pumping and a lavish tribute to Elvis at the evening's climax. Much of the show was about as subtle and delicate as an Angus Young guitar solo, which was fitting as the night started with what happened to be one of the more regrettable moments -- Dion and Anastacia taking on AC/ DC's "You Shook Me (All Night Long)."

Anastacia had no problem meeting that task, setting her feet and belting out her half of the heavy-metal staple. But Dion, who ambled onto the stage doing something akin to Chuck Berry's duck walk, falters when trying to, as the kids say, "rock out."

Dion might very well be the heiress apparent to Barbra Streisand, owner of a blow-the-roof-off-the-joint voice and an undeniably glamourous stage countenance, but you're stricken with discomfort as she clumsily takes on rock 'n' roll.

Poetic justice would be served if AC/DC ever returned the favor and tackled Dion's "My Heart Will Go On," something I, for one, would pay to see.

Despite Dion's early misstep, the evening was loaded with highlights and fascinating pairings.

Lauper -- long overdue for full-scale comeback -- and Cher giddily teammed on "Turn Back Time." Blige and Houston hooked up on "Testimony," with the stick-figure Houston draped in black lace and looking as if she might crumble under Blige's energetic hug.

A grinning Nicks and Dixie Chicks performed an acoustic "Landslide" carried along by soothing harmonies, and Shakira and Blige made the most of an odd choice from the Pat Benatar catalog, the hokey, "Love Is a Battlefield."

But Cher most convincingly evoked the spirit of the night. She entered for "Believe" in characteristically distinctive fashion -- through the spotlighted entrance of Section 16, to the crowd's delight. And she saved a potentially disastrous finale, a medley of Elvis hits that were turned into production numbers by eight entirely unnecessary male dancers.

When it came for Cher's turn, she returned to the stage wearing a black Elvis wig and leather jacket for "Heartbreak Hotel," her swiveling hips and quivering voice perfectly reviving memories of the King.

At song's end it was time for Dion to quell the hysteria with "Can't Help Falling In Love," and Cher shot her a mischievous smile and an exaggerated thumb's-up sign.

Maybe it was a genuine sign of affection; maybe it was a sarcastic gesture from an established Diva to a lesser light.

I'm thinking the latter.

But that's just one man's opinion.