Madonna has kicked off her worldwide “Re-Invention” tour with an extravagant and politically charged show that featured the diva singing in Army fatigues against a video backdrop of a war-torn nation.

Madonna opened Monday night’s show wearing a jewel-encrusted corset but changed into combat gear when she sang “American Life” backed up by the sounds of dropping bombs.

On stage, dancers dressed like soldiers did push-ups and callisthenics as helicopters and infernos blazed on the video screens behind them.

The 45-year-old Material Girl did not disappoint her longtime fans, many of whom paid upward of $200 per ticket, by relying on many of her old hits like “Holiday” and “Vogue” punctuated by spectacular choreography.

“I knew there would be a lot of politics and religion tonight. It’s kind of like she’s grown up, but she’s still hot,” said Dee Dee Kennedy, 36, a saleswoman for Kettel One Vodka, who saw Madonna 20 years ago when she was a college student.

Kennedy, who paid about $150 for her seat, also bought tickets for another Los Angeles show as well as one in Las Vegas this weekend.

Skirting her trademark cone-bra bustiers, Madonna aimed to shock the crowd with video shots of nudity and apocalyptic imagery. In one number, male dancers pranced around in plaid skirts.

Spirituality and her passion for Kabbalah, an ancient practice of Jewish mysticism, also took centre stage with untranslated Hebrew text often displayed in the background of her performances.

Another high point for many concertgoers was Madonna’s rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” which was accompanied by a video of sick and injured children from around the world.

An estimated 750,000 people are expected to see 39 shows scheduled for the U.S. and Canadian leg of her tour.

Madonna’s publicist declined to comment earlier on reports the performer cancelled shows in Israel due to death threats directed at the singer and her family.

Madonna’s “Drowned World” tour in 2001 grossed $55 million from 28 shows in 12 cities, ranking No. 6 on top U.S. tours for that year, according to concert trade magazine Pollstar.

Source: Sue Zeidler, Reuters