The varied repertoire gave Omar the opportunity to show off his versatility in his sold-out concert, which was scheduled for a second night Friday. It has three distinct segments -- an opening theatrical sequence with an apocalyptic theme, a middle, more intimate part, and a fun-filled finale with all the reggaeton favorites.
Don Omar adds to the spectacle with stunning wardrobe changes. He first appears in futuristic body armor for a doomsday piece set after a world war, with dancers in mohawk hairdos and outfits like a cross between "The Flintstones" and "Barbarella." The singer, sporting cornrows, then leads a hip-hop militia in the commanding "Reportense," or report for duty.
Don Omar later emerges in a white suit with a full-length, hooded cape for his fire-and-brimstone sermon, "Predica" (Preach). Backed only by Eliel on piano and Alexis Figueroa on violin, he then shows his vulnerable side on the longing "Vuelve" (Come Back), the cautionary "Infieles" (The Unfaithful) and the moving "Angelito" (Little Angel), a morality tale on the dangers of AIDS.
The show eventually had its comic relief. Near the end, Don Omar engaged in a duet -- and simulated fight over a woman -- with the lead singer of Aventura, the popular \o7bachata \f7group that was the opening act. When the star extends his hand to make amends, his rival asks, "Should I shake his hand even though he stole my woman?" The crowd wildly cheers its approval and the two artists embrace.
The show's final reggaeton segment was preceded by news clips from Puerto Rican television recapping Don Omar's recent legal problems when police mistakenly linked him to drug traffickers. The incident, and the artist's bristling defense of his reputation reflected in a satirical editing of the news montage, provided a perfect backdrop for the return to reggaeton -- with the singer in gangsta outfit.
"Back to reality," announced Don Omar, even though his bold vision actually takes this music back to the future.
agustin.gurza@latimes.com
