Trading Kilt for a Flag Skirt, Madonna Changes the Script

Madonna, who has made a career out of provoking audiences, displayed a poignant and patriotic side Thursday during her concert at Staples Center, where the singer also eliminated a violent scene from the show.

Resuming her Drowned World Tour after postponing Tuesday’s program following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, Madonna wasted no time in addressing the tragedy.

The capacity crowd cheered wildly when she took the stage wearing a skirt with the U.S. flag instead of the kilt she has worn the rest of the tour, including Sunday’s opener of her four-date Staples engagement.

Later, at the end of a stylish battle scene inspired by the high-wire heroics in the film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” Madonna picked up a rifle and slowly and deliberately pointed it at one of the dancers portraying an adversary.

But instead of pulling the trigger, as usual, she paused, lowered the rifle to the ground and walked across the stage in a conciliatory gesture. Some audience members, apparently aware of the change in script, applauded.

After another number, the acoustic “I Deserve It,” she smiled and said, “God Bless America,” to thunderous applause.

Moments later, she interrupted the show for nearly five minutes to share her feelings about the tragedy, saying that it would be irresponsible of her not to comment on the events.

“Everyone here in this arena is angry and sad. Everyone wants to know why and wants to know what they can do,” she said, adding that proceeds from the concert and from the tour’s final shows Friday and tonight at Staples, would go to the children of victims of the attacks.

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Madonna then challenged members of the audience to examine their personal acts of terrorism, bias and prejudice. “It’s not just [Osama] bin Laden,” she said.

She then called for a minute of silence to pray for the victims, rescue workers and everyone else affected by the tragedy, “including everyone who thinks it is right to kill in the name of God.”

When some unruly fans yelled, “I love you, Madonna” during that time, she snapped, “Shut up.” For about five seconds, Staples Center was still.

The moment ended as the audience erupted into cheers. Picking up a guitar, Madonna added a defiant note: “If you want to change the world, change yourself.”