Talk about a full-circle moment that hits different. Christina Aguilera — the vocal powerhouse who helped turn 2010’s “Burlesque” into something of a glitter-bombed cult classic — just gave the theatrical adaptation her enthusiastic seal of approval. And let’s be real: when Xtina speaks about anything involving power vocals and sequins, people listen.
The Grammy winner’s recent pit stop at London’s Savoy Theatre wasn’t just another celebrity photo op. Aguilera, now 44 and still serving those signature pipes, practically burst through Instagram with an enthusiasm that felt refreshingly unfiltered. “BLOWN AWAY!!” she declared, and honestly? The footage of her weaving through starstruck theater crowds said even more than the caps lock.
But here’s where things get interesting. This isn’t just your standard copy-and-paste job from screen to stage. The creative team’s taken some bold swings — and they’re connecting. Gone are the sun-drenched LA vibes; instead, we’re dropped into the gritty, electric chaos of New York City (which, let’s face it, feels more spiritually aligned with burlesque anyway). They’ve even woven in a mother-daughter storyline that adds some unexpected emotional weight to all that rhinestone-encrusted spectacle.
The show’s kept its greatest hits — because why mess with perfection? “Show Me How You Burlesque,” “Welcome to Burlesque,” and that Sia-touched gem “Bound to You” are all present and accounted for. But perhaps the most eyebrow-raising choice is having YouTube sensation Todrick Hall wearing approximately seventeen different hats: director, choreographer, and stepping into Stanley Tucci’s beloved role as Sean. It’s the kind of ambitious juggling act that could’ve gone sideways fast, but apparently, Hall’s making it work.
Speaking of casting — they’ve managed to thread that tricky needle between honoring the original and carving out something fresh. Jess Folley (remember her from The Voice Kids UK?) is taking on Ali, while Tony nominee Orfeh’s tackling the Cher role. And really, who else but a Tony nominee would dare step into those particular stilettos?
What’s particularly telling is Aguilera’s involvement behind the scenes. She’s not just showing up for the applause — she’s got skin in the game as executive producer, working alongside original director Steven Antin and a crew of industry veterans. In an era where every other day brings another cynical cash-grab reboot (looking at you, 2025’s streaming lineup), this feels… different. More intentional.
There’s something almost radical about how unapologetically earnest this whole production is. At a time when everything’s wrapped in seven layers of irony, here’s a show that’s like, “Yeah, we’re doing high kicks and belting our faces off — what about it?” And maybe that’s exactly what we need right now.
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