Photos: Denise Truscello

There’s a feeling, unique to Britney Spears’ resident show; that I’ve never experienced, at any of the other shows, on the Strip.  While watching the newly revamped BRITNEY: Piece of Me, in The AXIS at Planet Hollywood, I couldn’t shake the feeling (especially seated in The AXIS’ VIP section) that I was a guest, visiting a production set, watching Britney film one of her gajillion-dollar music videos.  It was almost disconcerting, at first; but the feeling is pretty cool.

The new show lives up to its billing as both “remixed” and “reimagined” – and is positively brimming with energy.  There’s a quartet of live musicians (keyboards, guitar, bass, and drums) that adds more of a legit rock n’ roll sound; and a legion of dancers who are so in-sync, they might well be the post-millennial Rhythm Nation.  The sixteen dancers (only 14 appear in any given performance) provide exactly what you want from them: Namely, to make Britney look good while showing-off the tight choreography (Fatima Robinson and Charm Jordan, as well as The Squared Division); and to dazzle us into forgetting that Britney’s not there, when she’s backstage attending to one of her seven wardrobe changes.

And let’s talk about that wardrobe…  With looks conceived by Nicolas Jebran and BAO, the updated costumes (by Rob & Mariel) look fantastic alongside the original costumes by Marco Marco.  They are fresh, witty, and decidedly sexy (it’s Britney in Vegas – duh).  My favorite – that she dons for her rock segment – features a cropped football jersey, a man’s tie, and satin panties that say “KISSES” on them; with fishnets and thigh-high white leather boots.  It’s just fun!

Meanwhile, Britney’s hairography is en fleek!  Whether she’s suspended from wires, wearing angel wings, or bungee jumping off of a three-story tree – Spears’s hair is utilized brilliantly, from start to finish.

As her finale, Spears sings the Kesha- and Nicki Minaj-penned “Till the World Ends” – her 2011 hit, where she implores of her listeners, “If you feel it, let it happen.  Keep on dancing till the world ends.”  I’m not sure when exactly the world might be ending (so much for 2012, Mayans!), but as long as Britney keeps singing, we’ll all keep on dancing.

BRITNEY: Piece of Me
The AXIS | Planet Hollywood
through November 19th
Click HERE for info

Get into it!
#BritneyPOM