Diana Ross
Verizon Theater
Grand Prairie, Texas
February 26, 2015
"'I love it when the house lights are on and I can see your eyes, all your faces. I feel all of the love and energy you're giving me and you've been such a great audience...."
The encore song was "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)." Looking up at the sequined siren before them, the adoring crowd cheered and surged closer to the stage, many of them applauding wildly while others stood in rapt awe, grinning and marveling at the musical legend.
Diana Ross
Verizon Theater
Grand Prairie, Texas
February 26, 2015
"'I love it when the house lights are on and I can see your eyes, all your faces. I feel all of the love and energy you're giving me and you've been such a great audience...."
The encore song was "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)." Looking up at the sequined siren before them, the adoring crowd cheered and surged closer to the stage, many of them applauding wildly while others stood in rapt awe, grinning and marveling at the musical legend. Okay, there wasn't an actual deity in the building, but that's what it felt like for the nearly 2,000 fans who braved the icy conditions to witness Diana Ross in all of her legendary splendor at Grand Prairie's Verizon Theater last night.
For the hour and a half that she spent onstage, the 70-year-old Motown alumni actress and Diva Extraordinaire proved that her larger-than-life presence is a testament to her talents as well as her gowns and glamorous persona. It was a heady evening, chock full of her biggest and brightest solo and Supreme-Era classics, newer numbers, a competent band and yes, 4 costume changes (not that fans were expecting anything less). Ms. Ross did use a teleprompter throughout, but when your catalog is comprised of multiple hits from just as many eras, keeping up is probably more than a bit much. It was practically an all-night sing-along the moment the stage lights dimmed, from her opening number "I'm Coming Out" to fan faves like "The Boss," "Upside Down" and yes, "Stop! In The Name Of Love." The Boss was in fine vocal form and genuinely enjoyed her time on-stage, imitating fan's dance moves, blowing kisses and famously extending her arms and tossing the trademark mane as she soaked in all of the love.
When one is practically watching a one-woman supernova in action, it can be hard to pinpoint standout moments, but there were plenty: Ms. Ross' rendering of Billie Holliday's Don't Explain" was absolutely esquisite, with fans listening silently as she poured out each mournful note, and she turned Gloria Gaynor's disco anthem, "I Will Survive," into an extended boogie-down.
Overall, it was so spellbinding to be in Ms. Ross' presence that it was hard for many to process: fans clutched themselves rapturously when she waved, pointed at them directly and blew kisses, and those who were even graced with a squeeze of her hand felt as if they experienced a brush with royalty (this writer included). The only flash of temper was a quick one----oversized balloons were being volleyed about and bounced around her floor-length gowns and high heels as she sauntered back and forth across the stage. Her rebuke was clearly heard even as the trademark megawatt smile never left her face: "Those things scare me because I think I might fall, so let's stop the swatting of the balloons!"
Please believe it.....no one defied The Boss.
By Melody Charles