[Report] Todrick Hall – Glitter, Unicorn and Lots of Cigale Love

This June 1st, 2018 was marked by the passage of the talented Todrick Hall at the Cigale de Paris. Glitter, Unicorns, but also many messages of hope and love for the City of Lights. Justfocus tells you!

We were eagerly awaiting his return, having not been able to attend his Straight Outta Oz show last year. We had only had positive feedback and we didn't want to miss The Forbidden Tour for anything in the world.

Chester Lockhart in the introduction of Todrick Hall

It is at 7:30 pm that the show begins… but not in the way we thought. Chester Lockhart, friend and protégé of Todrick Hall enters the stage to interpret his In Loving Memory:

Leather outfit and sexy movement, the tension rises very quickly and once the song is over, we understand that he came to take the temperature before Todrick entered the stage: "Did you come to see pretty boys, incredible dancers, crazy costumes and take full view?Are you ready to welcome Todrick Hall? "

Todrick Hall's The Forbidden Tour: Act 1

This time the show really begins. After a video introduction, the dancers dressed as cameras enter the scene, quickly joined by Todrick in elaborate prisoner outfit with the cover of his latest project with the word Wanted in the back of his jacket with the word Wanted in the header. This show will have meaning and messages to remember. The show opens with Changed My Mind.

Very quickly we continue on the following table: Lullaby. We hope to see Brandy, who interprets this title, appear on stage… Of course not. Dressed in white, between nuns and nurses, mothers and nurses, the dancers evolve. One of them carries a small black child in her arms that is torn from her. She struggles and her dancing becomes tormented. The audience is very responsive to the dancers' performances. Already a lot of expression and emotion!

We quickly understand that the screen at the back of the stage serves both as a backdrop and as a narrative rhythm. A simple and effective way to dress the space and stage the show.

It is then the little song of National Anthem, originally sung by Tamar Braxton. Here it is Amber who takes over the role brilliantly with a superb chest and a vibrant timbre!The décor changes into a church and we attend a very special gospel mass for All American. There is cynicism and irreverence. A small interlude in the form of a photo/video novel punctuates the story with a touch of humor. Two women gossip outside their windows.

The next song is a duet between Amber and Kanna, another singer of the troupe on the title Nobody. In Forbidden, it's about a mutual love at first sight between two women. Very well transcribed on stage.

But be careful, because the following piece is Type : Todrick Hall, plays on the stereotypes of men and presents us his collection of pretty dancers on stage… This has the gift of titillating the public, both male and female. There is no reason! Todrick has that charming smile that never leaves him. He is radiant, over the moon. We feel that he takes a lot of pleasure at La Cigale and shares it generously.

We continue with a title a little darker: T.H.U.G. He will then play and provoke the public who does not take long to react. We feel that the show is taking a small subversive turn and it is not to displease us. In fact we are waiting for that! Everything is wonderfully well orchestrated.

The next piece confirms this: B. We think of Ru Paul whose presence we would have loved to have … Everyone has a thought for him when he appears on the screen. Todrick's boys sway on stage while those from La Cigale stir on Dem Beats. Todrick reappears on stage as a magical unicorn. Euphoria and frenetic dancing in the Cicada. The atmosphere is completely crazy.

Interval

Chester returns in turn to announce an intermission. He continues to heat up the room, but also encourages the public to take a look at the merchandising that will allow each t-shirt purchased to meet Todrick and take a picture with him.

The show resumes a few minutes later. Todrick enters the stage alone and deeply thanks each of us for supporting him, for loving his work.
He talks about how it is not easy to be an independent artist, because he does not depend on any label and insists that everything that exists – his videos, his shows, his songs, the costumes… – It is thanks to the support of the public. He encourages everyone to see the short documentary he made about his work to become aware of what this kind of spectacle entails. 
He also appreciates this little moment of exchange where he jokes with those who challenge him and where he can see everyone's faces. He then asks what song the audience would like to hear. 
He continues with a sublime and sincere message of love: "Believe in you! ". Don't let anyone walk on your dreams, believe in yourself. You are unique and only you can go where you want. AMEN! The audience takes Amen in chorus.
He is still surprised to have managed to do shows in Paris and still thanks everyone for making all this possible.

Ready for Act 2

We resume with the sublime song Break My Heart before continuing in duet with Eleven and Play. A little tenderness on stage. As Todrick disappears for a moment, we are treated to a new Interlude dancing to Animals. Absence of short duration because here it is again hotter than ever on the title Forever. The choreography on stage is amazing. Everyone dances and it's crazy!

But we go down again with a little duet on Forbidden. We feel once again a turning point in the show. More protesting, more demanding. Shouts rise in the room, which approve and revolt. We hug and get closer. It's beautiful! Some kiss. We feel that the room communicates completely with Todrick 200% agree with his message. We almost have tears in our eyes.

Remember that Forbidden is a kind of uchrony where homosexuality would be a norm and where boys should all grow up gay. The story tells of a heterosexual love at first sight in this context which is then considered a forbidden love and prosecuted by the justice as a breach of the moral order.

Rain is also one of those intense moments. We feel a palpable and unconditional support in the audience for the singer who gives his all. The message is strong. Fists rise and at the end of the song, applause breaks everything. There is a lot of emotion in the room. Todrick rises in the treble to finish in apotheosis.

Revolt when the voice of the journalist in Off announces the death sentence for the guilty lover.
A religious silence is then made in the room for the following song: Heaven. Todrick is bright, intense and so involved. It gets chills. When her voice dies in the last words, the Cicada explodes in shout and applause.

The photo/video novel interlude that follows brings back a little lightness. We feel that the show is coming to an end. Todrick comes back to talk to us: "I'm living the life I've always dreamed of having thanks to you. Thank you for giving me this opportunity."

The show ends on Apple pie, a message of hope that we all need! Todrick will shake a few hands in front of the stage and offers to sing with him… Because he heard the audience during the intermission cover old titles. He then proposes a medley of his old show to the delight of his most loyal fans who cover all the titles in chorus.

But it's not over yet…

Fan messages scroll on the screen, the same as Todrick: Believe in you and Be yourself!
But the show is not over yet. How could it be without Boys Wear Pink. We also regret that there is no t-shirt with this slogan! Once again the atmosphere is excellent and it is difficult to say that this is the end and that we must leave.

Fortunately Todrick also has trouble leaving the premises and he offers one last Medley: a Disney this time in the total euphoria of the Cicada.

You had to arrive early so as not to miss a minute and it was tasty until the last crumb. Yes, Todrick is right: It's easy like Apple Pie. It's easy to spend a great evening with him and feel this fervor in the audience and this benevolence in all hearts. We hope to see him again soon with lots of good words! It is badly needed.

Official website of Todrick Hall

Todrick Hall's facebook page