Ricky Martin threw his body into his concert Tuesday night at the Allstate Arena, literally.
At the end of his opening number, "Sera Sera," Martin took a trusting fall from the second story of a three-tiered, "Jailhouse Rock"-style scaffolding, into the waiting arms of a group of dancers.
The bold, winning move exemplified how Martin went all out to entertain during his 100-minute performance, and how much he relied on the eight-person dance troupe to do it during an elaborately choreographed, tightly executed performance.
The effort allowed Martin to quickly overcome a nearly one-hour delay in the show's start. (A spokesperson for the promoter said the wait was intended to accommodate late arrivals delayed by the evening's severe thunderstorms.) Otherwise, the show's high level of professionalism reflected the 39-year-old, Puerto Rican native's 33 years in show business, including his time with Latin teen pop group Menudo and as a chart-topping solo artist.
Martin's popularity has waned since his smash 1999 self-titled record, and his last moment of fame came not from his music, but his public acknowledgement of his homosexuality in 2000. While the show included two touching video testimonials against prejudice, the focus was not on messages, but movement, as Martin and the dancers cavorted in multiple eye-catching costumes.
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Here are photos from the show.
(Photo by Andrew A. Nelles/For the Chicago Tribune)
Ricky Martin performs dance moves at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Tuesday. The show emphasized the Puerto Rican singer's dance moves while he sang hits like "Livin' La Vida Loca" and "She Bangs."
Ricky Martin performs at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Tuesday. One of his big moves was taking a trusting fall from the second story of a three-tiered, "Jailhouse Rock"-style scaffolding, into the waiting arms of a group of dancers.
A fan holds up a Puerto Rican flag before Ricky Martin's Tuesday show at Allstate Arena. Martin, a Puerto Rico native, kept fans waiting nearly an hour before taking the stage.
Ricky Martin performs at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Tuesday.
Ricky Martin performs at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Tuesday.
Ricky Martin fights off a gang of bikers in a choreographed dance number during his Tuesday night show at Allstate Arena.
Ricky Martin performs at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Tuesday.
Ricky Martin performs at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Tuesday.
Ricky Martin performs at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Tuesday.
Ricky Martin performs at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Tuesday.
Ricky Martin does one of his many dance numbers during Tuesday ngiht's show at Allstate Arena.
Ricky Martin performs at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Tuesday.
