It's now or never
for "A New Day"

The sun is rapidly setting on "A New Day...", Celine Dion's polished Vegas spectacular, so now is the time to give yourself over to the pop extravaganza's bombast and pleasure.

Since March 2003 the Canadian chanteuse has been thumping her chest at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, an arena the casino built just for her. Nearly four and a half years later neither singer nor venue looks worse for the wear--Caesars remains Vegas's best theme casino, and Celine is as toned as a whittled toothpick.

It's a thrill to see the star, who still has an aura of untouchable mystery, up close and personal. She's first spotted as a tiny holographic figure descending a grand staircase, her silhouette growing larger and larger, until...oh, there she is!

Dressed simply in flowing black, she dives into her hit "A New Day," sonically laying the groundwork for the show's themes of optimism and beginnings. She knocks off a mixed bag of ballads--"The Power of Love" (moving), "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" (fun in a Meatloaf sort of way), "Because You Loved Me" (mawkish), and "To Love You More" (competent).

Franco Dragone, the show's director, bathes Celine in beautiful light, placing her in exotic locales (castles, Times Square, the sky) while lithe dancers prance around her. There's just enough distraction--including enormous instruments gliding through the air--to keep the eye as entertained as the ear.

The show's middle is a melange of Celine's upbeat tunes. "I'm Alive" is a good kickoff to the dance party, and her cover of Cyndi Lauper's "I Drove All Night" is phenomenal--just try not to tap your toe.

Celine moves on to "If I Could," a sappy song about her kid. The song stinks, but afterward Celine says how thankful she is to ply her trade. She comes off as sweet and spontaneous; she even allows a teary female fan to run onstage and hug her.

It's now French time. Who knows what she's singing about (lyrics aren't really the point with her, anyway), but it sure sounds "purty." Celine then pops out in a short, sparkly Tina Turner dress that highlights her perfect stems. She offers up Peggy Lee's "Fever" and Ike and Tina's "River Deep, Mountain High." Not bad. She's no dancer, but she's far from awkward. Oh, and there's a rap after that. Yeah, don't ask.

Now it's time for the finale, and the song everyone's been waiting for--"My Heart Will Go On." She enters stage right, looking ethereal in a beautiful baby-blue gown, lights twinkling behind her. (There's no sinking ship, thank God.) The ballad is sung straightforwardly; it's a bit anticlimactic. But come on, being able to say you heard the Titanic song live is a bragging right that will long outlive this show.

"Celine Dion: A New Day..." is at Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South until December 15, 2007 (Bette Midler takes over in February). Tickets range from $87.50 to $225: (877) 423-5463; ticketmaster.com.