Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour Keeps the Jackson Spirit Alive at the Staples Center This Weekend
By: Don Grigware Jan. 27, 2012
Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour
@ Staples Center
Friday, Saturday, Sunday January 27, 28, 29/ August 14, 15
The King of Pop is getting a dazzling tribute in one of the most atypical Cirque du Soleil shows. Atypical, because there's less aerials and acrobatics and a lot more dancing, which makes sense if you're going to do right by Michael Jackson. With multi- rear projection screens, a live band and backup singers to enhance Jackson's own prerecorded sounds, and pyrotechnics galore, Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson The Immortal, especially for Jackson fans, comes ecstatically alive.
Jackson's life is seen through big screen images of him as the cute little boy with the Jackson Five onward through "Thriller", "Beat It", "Man In the Mirror" and other classic hits, returning in the end once again to the little Michael singing "I'll Be There". After all, Jackson never stopped being a child, as, according to his credo, he continually Believed, Dreamed and flashed a never-ending sense of Hope. And it was the child in him that never stopped...stops performing. At one point, it is eerie when the lights come down and there is a long silence. One almost senses his presence, and for an instant, I expected him to pop up out of nowhere ... the crowd was pushed to the brink with some shouting "We love you Michael". As performers walk through the audience holding red glowing hearts, nothing could symbolize his spirit better, a spirit that is indeed eternal.
Highlights of the evening in song, dance and Cirque feats include: in the opening a spectacular Mime who becomes infused with Jackson's spirit, a wonderful look at Never Land and "Childhood", "Dancing Machine" with welders flying and swinging on motorized cables, a lovely quiet "Ben" showing Michael's love of the animal kingdom, "Dangerous" with a sexy female acrobat performing an exotic pole dance, an exciting Act I finale with "Thriller" executed in a cemetery, "Human Nature" with aerialists wearing some of the most beautiful multi-colored lit costumes imaginable representing the various constellations, a lovely straps duo on "I Just Can't Stop Loving You", a terrific "Beat It" with life-sized glove and loafers so associated with Michael's attire (photo above), and a spectacular fusion of music, dance and acrobatics in a mega mix of "Can You Feel It", "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough", "Billie Jean" and "Black or White".
I prefer a typical Cirque show like Iris or Ovo, but cannot deny the excitement generated by Michael Jackson The Immortal, which I'm told is similar to Cirque's now famous tribute to Elvis. Great show which brought the entire house to its feet to sing and sway to the sounds of one of the greatest musical superstars of all time - Michael Jackson, who, indeed, will live forever! Don't miss Michael Jackson The Immortal at the Staples Center this Friday, Saturday, Sunday January 27-29 only!
for tix visit:
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/michael-jackson-tour/tickets.aspx
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