The advertisements for Cirque Du Soliel Michael Jackson One appear throughout the town of Las Vegas on buses, trams, billboards and hotels. As the ads promised the show is an “immersive experience.”
The main hallway to the Cirque One Theatre surrounds you with the sounds of Michael’s hits. To the left are glass panels, about 10′ tall, with shots of Michael in mid-dance to “Billie Jean”. To the right are MJ items on loan from the Estate - the red jacket worn at the 1984 American Music Awards as he accepted practically every award given out that night and a showcase of his shoes and sequined socks from the Dangerous tour, worn and scuffed, as though waiting to begin to dance.
As the black, shiny theatre doors with their gold adornments opened, we were greeted by a multitude of photographers, all dressed in red trench coats. For just a moment, I was able to feel, as Michael did every day, what it was like to have picture after picture taken.
Suddenly I realized that some of the most important people in Michael’s world were standing there - John Branca, Travis Payne, Greg Philliganes and creator of Cirque One, Jamie King, along with other Cirque One choreographers and staff. They had chosen to pay tribute to Michael’s birthday by greeting his fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures. My heart soared and stayed that way for several hours.
Entrance into the theatre began with walls covered with tabloid covers and the ever present photographers reminding us again of how Michael was hounded by the media twentyfour seven.
On the stage, the Neverland clock was counting down. Very soon Cirque Du Soliel began the dynamic mix of gymnastics, acrobatics and dance that called Michael into our midst and kept him there with non-stop action. The creators used most every iconic piece that brings him to our minds - the wool fedora, sunglasses, the microphone and his sequined jacket.
We were immersed in Michael from the chords of “Beat It” to the all-in-white dancers never missing a beat, to the female guitarist reminding us of MJ tours where he often had a female guitarist (and only the best) by his side, to the jaw dropping moves of Li’l Buck Riley, so reminiscent of Michael.
Besides the main stage, dancers appeared on wall stages, from the ceiling, and in the aisles through-out the show. The acrobatics that are Cirque du Soleil often made you forget that these are human beings performing. The artists were simply amazing. There was rope dancing done to perfection. The acrobatic ghouls of “Thriller”, dropping from their perches high above and returning to their structures as though it were easy took your breath away. And as the songstress perched in a crescent moon appeared, singing the haunting “Stranger in Moscow”, you became a part of the song. Snow, reminiscent of the rainfall in Michael’s short film, began to fall in the theatre and the music became almost tangible.
Then there’s their “Smooth Criminal” lean that defies all odds and the costumes designed by Zaldy bringing an astounding extra dimension to every song’s presentation. “Man in the Mirror” delivered an exceptional, emotional moment when Michael’s hologram, in his signature gold pants, materialized and fell into step with the Cirque dancers.
As he disappears and reappears in a flash of gold dust several times, you are taken on an emotional rollercoaster that stops with a young Michael, just beginning the ride of his life time.
I was especially taken with the different interpretations and remixes of music from J5 days to Michael’s single hits. The process was seamless. My various journeys to celebrate Michael’s life have led me to meet people of all ages and cultures. And each journey leads me closer to understanding the meaning of “One”.
This production was first class and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in keeping alive Michael’s dreams of “We are all one”.
Thank you Cirque Du Soleil One and the Estate of Michael Jackson for keeping Michael in our lives and hearts.
R.I.P. Michael
Lynne Murray
9/10/2013
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Thank you Lynne Murray. Wonderful review!
MJ-Upbeat.com
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