‘Michael Jackson One’ Moves Into Las Vegas (Exclusive)

Celine Dion, Elton John, Tim McGraw and Cee Lo Green (and later this year, Britney Spears) all showcase the chart-topping moments of their careers in spectacular residencies along the Las Vegas Strip. And this month, the timeless tracks of Michael Jackson will come to life in Michael Jackson One, a new theater production at Mandalay Bay by Cirque du Soleil that is written and directed by veteran concert director Jamie King, whose client list includes Spears, Dion, Madonna, Rihanna and Christina Aguilera.

One is King’s second creative collaboration with Cirque, as the former Jackson backup dancer also penned and directed Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour. The traveling arena show first premiered in October 2011 and has become Cirque’s largest and most expensive production to date, breaking its own records for the highest attendance of a single performance.

Yet rather than honoring the legendary musician’s memory with elephants, mimes and giant white gloves dancing to mash-ups of memorable songs, King opts for a character-driven plot for the Mandalay Bay Theatre. With 26 scenes, 60 performers and full versions of Jackson’s biggest hits, One follows four misfits on a transformative journey that leads them to personify Jackson’s personality traits: agility, courage, playfulness and love.

“Michael was a storyteller, and certainly he was a showman – he had all these great MTV music video moments and dance stage performances that we all remember,” King tells The Hollywood Reporter, citing “Moonwalker” and “Thriller” as standouts. “You can’t do that in an arena; there’s 16,000 people, they can’t understand, they’re too far away. Whereas in a 2,000-seat theater, you’re right in the show, so you can go on the journey with our heroes.”

READ MORE HERE: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cirque-du-soleil-s-tribute-452213

Source: Hollywood Reporter / MJ-Upbeat.com