REVIEW: Jennifer Lopez brings lively birthday celebration to Houston
Whether one knows her for acting, dancing or singing, Jennifer Lopez’s over 30-year career is on full display with her current “It’s My Party” Tour. As a seasoned entertainer, Lopez gives the show, with a runtime of roughly two hours, her all.
Making a stop in Houston June 25 at the Toyota Center, the tour opens with lively performances from former NBC’s “World of Dance” finalists Swing Latino and Briar Nolet, and season two winners The Lab.
After a montage of Lopez’s career in the entertainment business, her set kicks off with her most recent single “Medicine.” The performance shows Lopez descend from a cake-like chandelier made of empty champagne glasses.
The tour’s theme stems from celebrating Lopez’s 50th birthday but also highlights an unspoken pushback against ageism. From start to finish, Lopez treats the audience to a dazzling concert fueled by the goal of having a good time. As a whole, the show is broke up into multiple segments with each having its own vibe.
Setting the tone for the evening, Lopez gets right to the hits with performances of “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” and “Get Right.” Incorporating choreography from the early 2000s, when the songs were released, the singer offers a sense of familiarity to keep the audience on their feet.
Following a short film depicting Lopez as “The Godfather,” the show moves toward highlighting the star’s Bronx/New York roots. From the bilingual hit “Dinero” featuring Cardi B to the Ja Rule infused 2001 bops “I’m Real” and “Ain’t It Funny,” Lopez ensures the audience is filled with anticipation for her remixed rendition of “Jenny From the Block.”
Though Lopez is known for her uptempo tunes, the middle of the concert sees the pace slowed allowing her vocals to shine. Singing a sultry version of her 1999 debut single “If You Had My Love,” Lopez effortlessly captivates the audience before transitioning into a cover of Sara Bareilles’ “Gravity.”
As a tribute to the late Queen of Tejano Music, Lopez tells the Texas crowd about the time she portrayed Selena Quintanilla in the 1997 biopic “Selena.” The audience roars with excitement as Lopez sings Selena’s “Si Una Vez” and honors the music legend whose life was cut short in 1995 at age 23.
In a heartwarming moment, Lopez’s daughter Emme joins her on stage to perform “Limitless” off of the “Second Act” soundtrack. The song captures a woman’s struggle to succeed in a male-dominated world, which Lopez delivers with powerful vocals and the fusion of Sia’s hit “Titanium.”
For the remainder of the concert, Lopez gets the audience back on their feet with songs including “Ain’t Your Mama,” “Waiting for Tonight” and “Dance Again.” Bringing the concert to a raging faux close, “On The Floor” sees Lopez and her dancers living it up through skillful choreography, colorful outfits and flashing lights.
As an encore, the pulsing Latin beat of “Let’s Get Loud” stops attendees from exiting the venue as Lopez emerges to properly conclude her celebration. With a career spanning three decades, and fresh off a 120 show Las Vegas residency, Lopez proves she has mastered the art of showmanship.
Moreover, the multitalented star takes moments throughout the party to express her gratitude for her fans’ support. Following the electrifying encore, Lopez shares the crowds’ praise with her team of dancers, singers and crew before giving a final bow.
The “It’s My Party” Tour runs through July 27 in the United States before heading international Aug. 1-11. For more information on the tour and to purchase tickets, visit www.jenniferlopez.com.
