Paula Abdul finally hits the road to celebrate her 30th anniversary album and other career hits onstage this Fall. If you missed Paula Abdul’scomeback tour with New Kids on The Block back in Summer 2017, then you are in for a real treat. I was actually fortunate enough to see her back then and, just like everyone else, wanted to see more! Back in July, Paula announced that her 26 city tour is to be at theater-type stages instead of the traditional concert venues. She also included, not one but, two tour dates in San Diego—one on November 9th at Pechanga Resort & Casino and another on November 13th at Jacobs Music Center’s Copley Symphony Hall. These venues were perfect for her style of performance on stage.
Paula opened the show with “The Way That You Love Me,” from her debut album, Forever Your Girl. The show included many of my favorite memorable songs including “Opposites Attract,” “Cold Hearted” “Crazy Cool” and “Straight Up,” and, of course, the animated MC Skat Kat did make his return during “Opposites Attract” on the stage via screen. No doubt, I see a hologram in his future. In this solo tour, her set was a lot different compared to the ones she had before. Aside from her dazzling choreography and countless costume changes, the interactive videos and multi-media presentations during her performance make you really appreciate her shows and her as a performer even more. She surely knows on how to put on quite a visual production. In this day and digital age, you will ponder why are other artists not doing the same thing too. Clearly, Ms. Paula is always ahead of her time.
Overall, the Straight Up Paula tour was crazy cool! The show also included an opportunity to hang out with her through meet and greets and onstage. On a side note, be sure to have your 80s dance moves down and ready by now. With all the 80s craze lately, you’ll never know when you may need to bust out “The Running Man, The Cabbage Patch or The Snake Dance” these days.
Ok, we all know about the ‘Laker Girl’ monologue by heart by now… right? Well, this time the show also included many fun video montages including about her start with the Laker Girls and favorite moments during her American Idol days. I also found the video about her talking about the setbacks she had after her plane crash incident that led her to comeback story to where she is today to be very moving and inspirational as well. She left an indelible experience with her testimony.
Judging from the production timeline standpoint, it is easy to assume that it must have been short and doable production process to put together. Who knows the amount of time she put on this fabulous leg tour. Go with me on this… All the more reasons why I cannot wait for her next tour. You can always count for her shows to be different, both technically and creatively. You certainly will not expect to see the same show twice.
Also to share, don’t expect this to be an all sit down kind of show. You will be on your feet quite a few times. I say this because I thought the demographic was going to be different than what you see at a traditional concert venue. Unfortunately, you will still experience those loud screams and alcohol as if you were at sport event (even in that tight and intimate setting) as well.
Another thing that Paula has for herself is that she can easily enhance a live-action or Broadway show. She has stories to tell and it would be so great to see them in 3D, too. Admit it. How badly do you want to see her ‘MC Skat Cat’ come to life as well?
Tickets for STRAIGHT UP PAULA! and the Exclusive Meet and Greet & VIP packages are available at www.PaulaAbdul.com.
About Paula Abdul:
As one of the most celebrated pop icons in the world, Paula Abdul is best recognized as an award-winning choreographer, dancer, singer, actress and television personality. Beginning her career as a cheerleader and choreographer for the Los Angeles Lakers, her talents were soon recognized and utilized by artists such as Janet Jacket and George Michael among many more. Upon launching her solo pop career in 1989, Paula exploded onto the charts with her music which ultimately totaled six number one hits and over 60 million records sold, becoming an American pop pioneer and multi-platinum recording artist with legendary music videos to the MTV generation. She is also recognized for her nine-season run as an original judge on the global sensation television series American Idol, which were followed by her presence on The X-Factor and So You Think You Can Dance to name a few. Among Paula’s many accolades she has earned two Emmy Awards, two GRAMMY Awards, and three American Music Awards. In 2017 Paula returned to the stage for the nationwide Total Package Tour preforming in over 40 cities. When not lending her talents to the stage & screen, Paula is an active spokesperson and advocate for the American Humane Association, Turnaround Arts, Avon Foundation, GLAAD, Lupus LA, Red Cross and more. http://www.paulaabdul.com | *SOURCE Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul “Straight Up Paula!” | Setlist
- The Way That You Love Me
- Knocked Out
- Singin’ in the Rain
- Opposites Attract
- Cold Hearted
- Rush Rush
- Blowing Kisses in the Wind
- The Promise of a New Day
- Crazy Cool
- Straight Up
- Encore:
- Forever Your Girl
Paula Abdul “Straight Up Paula!” | Tour Dates
- Oct. 4: Lynn, MA, Lynn Memorial Auditorium
- Oct. 6: Orillia, ON, Casino Rama
- Oct. 7: Verona, NY, Turning Stone Casino
- Oct. 9: Staten Island, NY, St. George Theatre
- Oct. 10: Englewood, NJ, Bergen Performing Arts Center
- Oct. 12: Westbury, NY, Theatre at Westbury
- Oct. 13: Lincoln, RI, Twin River Casino
- Oct. 14: Oxon Hill, MD, MGM Casino National Harbor
- Oct. 18: Tulsa, OK, Margaritaville Casino
- Oct. 19: Lake Charles, LA, Golden Nugget Casino
- Oct. 20: Biloxi, MS, Hard Rock Casino
- Oct. 23: Bethlehem, PA, Sands Casino
- Oct. 25: Windsor, ON, Caesars Casino
- Oct. 26: Northfield, OH, Hard Rock Casino
- Oct. 27: New Buffalo, MI, Four Winds Casino
- Nov. 2: Lincoln City, OR, Chinook Winds Casino
- Nov. 3: Lincoln City, OR, Chinook Winds Casino
- Nov. 4: Reno, NV, Silver Legacy Casino
- Nov. 6: Modesto, CA, Gallo Center for the Arts
- Nov. 7: Santa Rosa, CA, Wells Fargo Center
- Nov. 9: Temecula, CA, Pechanga Resort & Casino
- Nov. 10: Las Vegas, NV, Red Rock Casino
- Nov. 11: Chandler, AZ, Wild Horse Pass Casino
- Nov. 13: San Diego, CA, Jacobs Music Center’s Copley Symphony Hall
- Nov. 16: Tucson, AZ, Fox Tucson Theatre
- Nov. 17: Indio, CA, Fantasy Springs Casino
Machelle Noel | Founder, Managing Editor & Host
B.S | Marketing & Minor Theater / Communications | SDSU
M.A | Education Technology (Digital Media Arts)| SDSU
Machelle Noel (emphasis on the El) has a background in radio broadcasting, filmmaking and digital media productions. She has appeared as a performing artist in independent films, stage theater, dance teams, choir ensembles, stand up comedy tours and commercials since she was in grade school. Her love for movies, music, entertainment news and the craft of storytelling led her to create @GeekRockTVand @TheNoelStudios. She also worked in multiple areas of the entertainment industry, including casting, production, college recruiting and marketing at various companies like Disney and IHeartRadio. Throughout her career, Machelle has interviewed many of Hollywood’s finest actors and musicians including Luke Perry (90210), Zachary Levi (Chuck & Shazam), Roma Downey (Touched By An Angel), Jason D. Frank (Power Rangers), Marc McClure (Superman – Jimmy Olsen) and many other stars from Warner Bros TV and Animation. Known by her colleagues as the ‘Mac-Of-All-Trades‘, she also loves MacGuyver, Big-Macs, Mac n’ Cheese, Macadamia Nuts, Mac Cosmetics, MacBeth and MacBooks. Just kidding… she is a PC girl! Grandma told her not to bite the apple ? Follow her Lois Lane & April O’Neil adventures via Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @MachelleNoelTV | View My 1:1 Interviews | View My Blogs
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