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Review w/Video: #Glee LIVE! Concert at Staples Center – Los Angeles, CA

Glee LIVE! Concert at Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

Date: Saturday, May 28th 8:00pm PST

Speaking frankly, I do not watch Glee. (ducks) I’m sure some of you are hissing right now since a non-viewer attended the sold-out Glee Live! concert at the Staples Center over the Memorial Holiday weekend. Well, there were two reasons I went: one, I had tickets through my day job; two, I wanted to find out what all the hype is about and to report back to all the Glee fans who follow YourEntertainmentCorner.com (YEC).

The opening act, League of Extraordinary Dancers (LXD), is the dance project of cast member Harry Shum, Jr. who plays Mike on the show. The dance moves are quite impressive, I must say. I thought I’d stepped into a taping of ABDC (America’s Best Dance Crew) auditions.

Will (Matthew Morrison, L) and Sue (Jane Lynch, R)

After LXD, we are treated to some colorful commentary via pre-recorded video messages from Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) who warns, “I’ve seen the rehearsals and trust me, the show is bad.” She even offers to hand out barf bags to everyone. It was pretty funny actually. I love Jane Lynch’s off-beat sense of humor. Of course, her nemisis, Mr. Schuester (Matthew Morrison) jumps in as well in several pre-taped messages throughout the show.

As the familiar piano keys of Journey’s hit song, “Don’t Stop Believin,” start up, each of the cast members, who are standing with their backs towards the audience, slowly twist/jump and turn as the spotlight shines on them. The crowd goes wild, screaming and hollering for their favorite cast member. Rachel (Lea Michele), Finn (Cory Monteith), and Kurt (Chris Colfer) are the lead vocals for the first song, supported by the remaining cast.

I was taken by surprise when the second song came on. I love Florence and the Machine and their song, “Dog Days Are Over,” is one of my favorites from their album Lungs (the other is “Cosmic Love” also from Lungs and “Heavy In Your Arms” from the Twilight: Eclipse soundtrack.) Amber Riley (Mercedes) does a decent job with her rendition, but Florence Welch has such a unique voice, it’s hard to mimic the inflections she spins on her lyrics. However, the song was nicely done and I enjoyed listening to Amber’s powerful voice in several other songs, including her solo, “Ain’t No Way,” by Aretha Franklin.

Artie (Kevin McHale) has a dream sequence similar to the one he had in one of the episodes (I’m told) – he miraculously rises from his wheelchair while poppin’ and lockin’ to “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats. This dude has got some moves. It seems such a waste to have all that talent sitting in a wheelchair. I also enjoyed his rendition of one of my favorite Michael Jackson songs, “PYT.”

Brittany (Heather Morris) channels Britney Spears as she lip-syncs the sexy hit “I’m A Slave 4 U” while showing off her even more provocative dances moves. I don’t know what the rating on this concert is, but if it isn’t PG-13 it should be. There were some risqué movements and clothing being showcased. While I’m no prude, I think the short booty shorts and really low cut tops were pushing it a bit much on the younger and impressionable crowd of 8-12 year-olds who attended the concert. Just saying.

Kurt (Chris Colfer) was just adorable up there dancing and singing, but I’ll be honest, when the curtain was down and all you could see was a vague shadow as someone sang The Beatles’ “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” you may have thought it was one of the female cast members, but no…it was not. It was Kurt belting out a higher pitched, slower version of the hit Beatles song. There was a little skit in which Brittany says she’s going after a guy she knows she can get this time – Blaine (Darren Criss). Of course, Kurt comes out and asks if she is flirting with his man. The crowd burst into laughter as if it were the funniest joke anyone ever told.

One of the things I most enjoyed was people watching. There were so many varied age groups in attendance but it was hard to tell if the parents brought their kids or if the kids brought their parents. In the suite next to us, I got a ton of laughs watching a couple who had been sitting down the entire show, mouthing every word to every single song, jump up from their seats at the closing number, “Somebody To Love,” by Queen. It was hysterical – their enthusiasm spilling over as if they were actually watching Freddie Mercury performing it rather than the cast of a television show.

All in all, I enjoyed the show. The singing was really good, although I know some of it was lip-synced. Even the rival troupe, the Warblers sang a few songs, including Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” Pink’s  “Raise Your Glass” and Wings’ “Silly Love Songs,” which was written by Paul and Linda McCartney.

Photos © Fox Broadcasting Company, All Rights Reserved.

Videos © Judy Manning for YourEntertainmentCorner.com (All video property of Judy Manning) All Rights Reserved.

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.