Michael Jackson’s permanent shows in Las Vegas

Chak Balling, the executive manager of the Mandalay Bay Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Daniel Lamar, CEO of Cirque du Soleil (Cirque du Soleil), and John Branca, head of the Michael Jackson Foundation, today jointly and officially confirmed new permanent productions of Michael Jackson that will open at Mandalay Bay starting in spring 2013.

Thus, Mandalay Bay Casino Hotel, Cirque du Soleil’s tent and the Michael Jackson Foundation have agreed that Cirque du Soleil shows will be based on Michael Jackson’s songs and dance, becoming one of the permanent attractions and entertainments at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Chak Balling: “The world may never see an artist like Michael Jackson again. On behalf of Mandalay Bay and the MGM International Hotel Group, I would like to inform you that we are honored to have a permanent home for shows and productions that celebrate and commemorate his legacy.”

Daniel Lamar: “We are excited to create these new productions at Mandalay Bay. Michael Jackson has been a huge inspiration for Cirque du Soleil. Collaborating on this project is a source of joy and pride for us. We are also very pleased to bring Michael Jackson’s The Immortal World Tour to the stage at Mandalay Bay starting this December.”

Starting December 3 of this year, a festival will open at Mandalay Bay for a limited time. During this festival, Michael Jackson fans can see memorabilia, get up close to the items and furnishings from his Neverland ranch, visit recreated locations from his music videos, and even step behind the scenes of The Immortal World Tour, talk with the people involved, and find answers to their questions. There will also be Michael-themed competitions. Interested fans can compete against each other by playing the Michael Jackson video game “Experience.”

The festival will be held on December 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 14 this year. After these four-hour celebrations, the Cirque du Soleil show will begin. Cirque du Soleil will stay in Las Vegas throughout December, and then resume its North American tour.

It has been said that these shows will depict Michael Jackson’s art and music in a new way to audiences, and will provide them with the opportunity to get to know Michael as an artist, a humanitarian, and a human being.

The Michael Jackson Foundation said the following about this:

“We feel a great deal of excitement about this new plan. Many people cannot see Neverland, but they can become familiar with Michael, his songs, and his art in a tangible way at Mandalay Bay. We are also pleased to host the first fans’ festival—something Michael was always interested in doing for his fans. To complete our plans, we will continue working with Mandalay Bay, Cirque du Soleil, and the MGM International Group.”

Source: eMJey.com / MJOnline, The Official Online Team of the Michael Jackson Estate