Among the most amazing concerts I have seen this year was Beyoncé at either Wynn or Encore. Sorry for the confusion. It is not mine (for once). The theater is billed sometimes as part of Wynn (as it was for Beyoncé—”An Intimate Performance at Wynn”) and other times branded as part of sister property Encore as in the “Encore Theater” (as it was for the late Danny Gans). And, during her concert even Beyoncé called the stage she was standing on “Encore” though the tickets named the location as Wynn. But Encore/Wynn confusion aside, the Beyoncé performance was notable for banning all ambiguity from the star to such an extreme where even her between song patter was scripted for her and scrolling down a TelePrompTer to be read to the audience.

This event was clearly important to Beyoncé as a moment to document her maturity as a performer. Therefore the concert was a celebration of her transformation from child star with Destiny’s Child to her current position as a major entertainment industry figure. Over the years, I have caught up with Beyoncé during key moments of  her journey and watched how her hard work (tours, movies, new music) and singular focus helped her blossoming talent reach her potential.

Now, as we approach 2010, Beyoncé  is the rare name performer whose image and presentation and performance skills offer class, grace not to mention the sort of high-end production values that make her a almost uniquely perfect fit for the Wynn resort brand.  From her dancing, to her amazing all female band, to her charismatic stage presence, I noted after I saw this concert, Beyoncé would be the ultimate Vegas headliner. And, in fact there has been a great deal of speculation, with Norm Clarke leading the reporting, on if the star plans to become a regular resident headliner at Wynn/Encore. In response to those rumors, Wynn public relations issued the following statement:

“Wynn Las Vegas has not established an agreement with Beyoncé for future engagements in the Encore Theater. While we look forward to the possibility of her return and are currently in preliminary discussions to explore this opportunity, there are no confirmed details at this time.”

Oh, the Encore Theater again?

But I will be surprised if a deal does not go through for her to become a resident headliner. Really surprised. Beyoncé and Wynn match so well. And, now there is a CD/DVD, “I Am Yours…An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas,” to prove this by chronicling the Wynn shows. By the way, I am sure someone noticed this release creates an instant lobby souvenir purchase for future shows at Wynn. Indeed, there is even a glossy foldout advertisement with the release for Wynn/Encore that comes as an insert. All the signs are of a relationship that will be continuing.

One nitpick on the release again comes from Beyoncé’s perfectionism. Despite her constant insistence that these shows be “real” the credits on the release offer thanks for additional recording off the Wynn stage as well as ProTools work. The performance I saw should have been released as a true live recording and would have been better for it. This is not a performer who misses notes. But when you watch the bonus feature behind the scenes (titled “What Happens in Vegas”) on the DVD you realize “I am Yours…An Intimate Performance at Wynn” has a second purpose: to convince any doubters that this former child star is not a puppet but a woman in charge of her art and career. But are there any doubters? Her Wynn shows were among the hardest tickets to get for a Vegas event this year and the ticket prices were a small fortune. Yet, all of the shows, no surprise, sold out quickly.

Beyoncé (who is credited as director of the video) presents herself overcoming  unnamed doubters (and, like I said, I doubt the doubters exist), dealing with inflated obstacles (oh no–the fire code won’t let her put stairs where she wants them!!), and, yet, somehow, despite the odds, getting on the stage in time. You see, to add drama, a bogus seven day time line is given to her on the DVD for preparations for the Wynn show. That is silly. I knew over a month in advance she was coming to Wynn for a series of performances to film for this DVD release. So, let’s assume someone clued the singer in as well.

But as self aggrandizing and bogus as the storyline seems on the DVD, the clarity comes from the little film’s message communicated over and over in her interviews and clips of rehearsals: Beyoncé may be offering us carefully packed goods, but she wants you to know that these days she is the one in charge of everything that goes into the packaging. (Photo: Sarah Gerke)