Reba Christens New Arena

Posted by amyclark on 08/16/2008
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9/10/2007 Stephen L. Betts   Reba McEntire was in Orlando on Saturday night (9/8) to christen the University of Central Florida's new arena. The Orlando Sentinel reports the singer took "7,776 fans on a satisfying musical test run of the gleaming venue." Reba's 90-minute show featured 18 of her biggest hits, and, says the review, abandons the "Vegas-style extravaganzas of her '90s-era shows. Reba walked out in a simple sequined tank top and jeans, not changing again until the end of the concert, when she returned for her signature encore, 'Fancy,' decked out in a stunning ruby-red cocktail dress and matching heels. Reba's friend and co-star of her recently canceled Reba TV series, Melissa Peterman (Barbra Jean Hart), drew cheers when she took the stage wearing a [UCF] Knights T-shirt and holding a beer, to help Reba sing "Survivor, the theme song from their TV show. In her standup comedy routine as the concert's opening act, Melissa urged the audience to "Take a deep sniff. It's still got that new arena smell!" In anticipation of the Sept. 18 release of the star-studded Duets album, Reba has scheduled appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show (9/19, with Justin Timberlake and Kelly Clarkson) and The Tonight Show (9/24, with Vince Gill). She'll also be featured on CMT's Reba Weekend (9/15-16) and CMT Crossroads (with Kelly Clarkson) (9/15) and will make guest appearances on Good Morning America and The View (9/20).