Cirque du Soleil's second partnership with the estate of Michael Jackson aims to be a thriller.

Cirque du Soleil's second partnership with the estate of Michael Jackson aims to be a thriller. Cirque's Welby Altidor tells USA TODAY that Michael Jackson ONE will begin performances May ۲۳ and take up residency at the renovated theater at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The show is a partnership between Cirque and the Jackson estate. The official grand opening is planned for late June. The ۹۰-minute show will feature five dozen cast members, from dancers to acrobats (no one will portray Jackson), and offer "a very close encounter with the music of Michael Jackson" and with the late pop icon's artistic vision, Altidor, "director of creation" for ONE, says. Unlike Cirque's current touring arena Jackson show, IMMORTAL, the Mandalay Bay production will be more intimate and interactive, Altidor says. "It's another story about Michael's genius," focusing on his No. ۱ hits. "There will be experiences above (the audience), on the side and in the front." Cirque had what Altidor calls "unprecedented access" to Jackson's master recordings and will use them. "At times it will feel like being in the studio with Michael," he says. Tickets go on sale March ۷ at cirquedusoleil.com. Cirque du Soleil and The Estate of Michael Jackson announce MICHAEL JACKSON ONE Written and Directed by Jamie King Exclusively at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas Presale Window Starts February ۲۲ for Cirque Club Members, MichaelJackson.com Subscribers and Members of MGM Resorts' M life Program General On sale Begins March ۷ Las Vegas, February ۲۱, ۲۰۱۳ - The Estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil today unveiled that Michael Jackson ONE™ will open and take residency exclusively at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino this summer. Directed by Jamie King, Michael Jackson ONE will start its preview performances on May ۲۳, ۲۰۱۳ and have its official premiere on June ۲۹, ۲۰۱۳. This entirely new show is the second creative project to be developed between Cirque du Soleil and The Estate of Michael Jackson after the top grossing Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour, currently playing arenas in Europe as it travels the world. The show Michael Jackson ONE is a state-of-the-art visual and audio experience creating a theatrical evocation of Michael's creative genius. Guided and inspired by his music, four misfits set out on a transformative adventure. By journey's end, they will personify Michael's agility, courage, playfulness and love. The name Michael Jackson believed that all people are unique and equal, regardless of race or culture. His message was one of unity, harmony and hope for a better world. At once evocative and enigmatic, the name Michael Jackson ONE also presents a paradox: Michael was a multifaceted artist who strove to fuse together various musical styles and art forms. It is a fitting title for a unifying journey into the world of the King of Pop, the genius, the visionary, the One. "This is our second project with the Estate of Michael Jackson which confirms how stimulating this creative partnership was meant to be", said Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil. "Michael Jackson is an all-time phenomenal artist, both timeless and contemporary. As a creative challenge, this project is the ultimate. Through the use of cutting edge technology, we will produce a new Cirque du Soleil theatrical experience not only respectful of Michael's legacy but also very distinctive from Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour." "We are guided by Michael's own philosophy in all that we do. In preparing for this production, Michael's message to the cast and crew for his This Is It concerts was foremost in our minds. He counseled them on what the audience experience should be: 'They want wonderful experiences. We want to take them places that they've never been before. We want to show them talent like they've never seen before. We're putting love back into the world to remind the world that love is important. WE'RE ALL ONE. That is the message. ' We feel the same, and that is what we are delivering both to lifelong fans and those just discovering his artistic genius with Michael Jackson ONE," stated John Branca and John McClain, Co-Executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson. Chuck Bowling, Mandalay Bay's president and COO, said, "The partnership with Cirque du Soleil and The Estate of Michael Jackson represents an extraordinary moment for Mandalay Bay. We are in the midst of a major transformation at this resort, introducing a new set of experiences for our guests. Michael Jackson ONE is truly the crown jewel in that transformation and we cannot wait to share this very special production with the world." Along with Jamie King--who started his career as a dancer on Michael's Dangerous World Tour and also directed the arena touring show Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil--, Michael Jackson ONE will bring together the creative minds behind the Michael Jackson Estate, John Branca and John McClain, and the diverse talents of the following creators (creators' bios are available on Cirque du Soleil's press room athttp://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/press/kits/shows/michael-jackson-one.aspx): Guy Laliberté - Creative Guide Jean-François Bouchard - CEO, Creative Content Jamie King - Writer and Director Welby Altidor - Director of Creation Carla Kama - Associate Director Kevin Antunes - Musical Director François Séguin - Set and Props Designer Zaldy Goco - Costume Designer Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon - Creators for the scene Man in the Mirror Travis Payne - Choreographer Rich and Tone Talauega - Choreographers Parris Goebel - Choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui - Choreographer Ivan « Flipz » Velez - Choreographer Olivier Simola - Choreographer Rob Bollinger - Acrobatic Performance Designer Germain Guillemot - Acrobatic Performance Designer Ben Potvin - Acrobatic Choreographer Andrea Ziegler - Acrobatic Choreographer Raymond St-Jean - Projections Designer Jimmy Lakatos - Projections Designer David Finn - Lighting Designer Jonathan Deans - Sound Designer Pierre Masse - Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer Nathalie Gagné - Makeup Designer Brian Drader - Dramaturge Manon Beaudoin - Characters' Guide Preview performances for Michael Jackson ONE will begin on May ۲۳, ۲۰۱۳ at Mandalay Bay. PREVIEW PERFORMANCES SCHEDULE: • Saturday to Wednesday at ۷:۰۰pm. There are no performances on Thursdays and Fridays. TO RESERVE TICKETS: • Call ۸۷۷.۶۳۲.۷۴۰۰ or ۸۰۰-۷۴۵-۳۰۰۰ • Go to www.cirquedusoleil.com/mjone or mandalaybay.com • Visit the Mandalay Bay Events Center box office or any of the MGM Resorts International box offices. TICKET PRICES: • $۶۹, $۹۹, $۱۳۰, $۱۴۰, $۱۵۰, plus LIMITED Gold Circle Seating. Prices do not include tax or fees. • Tickets are available ۱۲۰ days in advance of the performance date. Like Michael Jackson ONE on Facebook or Tweet us: @Cirque #MJOne. http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/news/estate-michael-jackson-cirque-du-soleil-announce-michael-jackson-one More Details About Michael Jackson One Show From Press Conference Source: LA Times/Las Vegas News Bureau/Seattle Pi/Mandalay Bay (Twitter) In this photo provided by the Las Vegas News Bureau, performers dance during a preview of the new Cirque du Soleil show "Michael Jackson ONE" Thursday, Feb. ۲۱, ۲۰۱۳. The show at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the Strip will start preview performances on May ۲۳. It will officially premiere on June ۲۹. Las Vegas News Bureau, Glenn Pinkerton -- AP Photo Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/۲۰۱۳/۰۲/۲۱/۲۴۶۱۱۳۱/cirque-gives-clues-to-vegas-michael.html#storylink=cpy Nearly four years after his death, Michael Jackson will return to Las Vegas, but now as part of Cirque du Soleil's newest production, "Michael Jackson ONE," which will take up residency at Mandalay Bay. To the strains of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," officials from the Montreal-based theatrical troupe and MGM Resorts announced Thursday that general ticket sales for the new spectacle would begin March ۷. "ONE" comes on the heels of another Cirque production, "Michael Jackson The Immortal," which played to sellout crowds during its North American tour last year. "This show will be very, very different," Daniel Lamarre, president and chief executive of Cirque du Soleil, told reporters. He said his company put considerable time into efforts to find "a home for Michael Jackson in Las Vegas." Four misfits will be at the center of the production. Guided and inspired by Jackson's music, they will travel on an acrobatic and theatrical journey that, according to a news release, will teach them "agility, courage, playfulness, and love." In this photo provided by the Las Vegas News Bureau, performers dance during a preview of the new Cirque du Soleil show "Michael Jackson ONE" Thursday, Feb. ۲۱, ۲۰۱۳. The show at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the Strip will start preview performances on May ۲۳. It will officially premiere on June ۲۹. LAS VEGAS NEWS BUREAU, GLENN PINKERTON -- AP Photo "We needed to approach this project with a childlike heart," said Jamie King, the show's writer and director, adding that Jackson became his friend and mentor more than ۲۰ years ago. As loudspeakers blasted "Beat It," several members of the ۶۳-person cast broke into dance in a preview of what's to come. "How do we mix the music and dance?" creative director Welby Altidor asked. "How would Michael move if he was an acrobat?" Previews of "Michael Jackson ONE" will begin May ۲۳. The official premiere is slated for June ۲۹, four days after the fourth anniversary of the death of the King of Pop. http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-las-vegas-michael-jackson-cirque-۲۰۱۳۰۲۲۱,۰,۷۱۲۶۱۴۹.story The show is the second collaboration between the acrobatic company and Jackson's estate. The first production was the traveling show, "Michael Jackson: Immortal World Tour." The title is intended to evoke a central paradox of the king of pop's multifaceted persona and changing musical styles. Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Cirque-gives-clues-to-Vegas-Michael-Jackson-show-۴۲۹۸۰۷۵.php#ixzz۲LcZOloWC Click here to see press conference video clip released by Mandalay Bay: http://twitter.yfrog.com/cbi۶۵thjytaptifrikqjxtrbz 'Michael Jackson One' Press Conference (۲۲-۲-۲۰۱۳) Details about the new show 'Michael Jackson One' were announced during a press conference at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas (USA) on Thursday. To the strains of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," officials from the Montreal-based theatrical troupe and MGM Resorts announced that general ticket sales for the new spectacle would begin March ۷. "This show will be very, very different," Daniel Lamarre, president and chief executive of Cirque du Soleil, told reporters. He said his company put considerable time into efforts to find "a home for Michael Jackson in Las Vegas." Four misfits will be at the center of the production. Guided and inspired by MJ's music, they will travel on an acrobatic and theatrical journey that will teach them "agility, courage, playfulness, and love." "We needed to approach this project with a childlike heart," said Jamie King, the show's writer and director, adding that Michael became his friend and mentor more than ۲۰ years ago. As loudspeakers blasted "Beat It," several members of the ۶۳-person cast broke into dance in a preview of what's to come. "How do we mix the music and dance?" creative director Welby Altidor asked. "How would Michael move if he was an acrobat?" A short video of the unveiling of the logo can be found on the Twitter account of the Mandalay Bay Resort. Source: MJFC / Las Vegas News Bureau / Seattle Pi / AP / Mandalay Bay Resort / LA Times http://twitter.yfrog.com/cbi۶۵thjytaptifrikqjxtrbz Cirque Du Soleil CEO Talks About 'One' (۲۸-۲-۲۰۱۳) In a recent interview with Las Vegas Sun journalist Robin Leach, Cirque du Soleil CEO and president Daniel Lamarre talked about the new show 'Michael Jackson One': Robin Leach: So in terms of taking risks in show business, this new show ranks where in your seven to eight Las Vegas productions? They've built this theater to be a theater that has the show over, under, around and in front of the audience. Daniel Lamarre: We don't look at Cirque to underestimate every single new show that we are doing. Every time it is a huge gamble, every time it is a challenge. As you know, the magic operates when we walk into the theater, so (Cirque founder) Guy (Laliberte) and I cannot wait to see the show inside its real home. We have been rehearsing in Montreal, and we have a good feeling about what is happening, but the magic is going to operate in the next few weeks prior to the preview and premiere. You will see a lot of Guy in the next few weeks sitting in the theater and watching rehearsals. We understand that with each new show, the expectation of the public gets higher and higher, and the risk for us gets bigger and bigger. That is why we are taking it with a lot of humility. R.L.: Would you say this is going to be the biggest and best to date? Is it going to outrank "Ka" and "O"? D.L.: If you talk to John Branca, he will probably tell you that it will be the No. ۱ show. For us at Cirque, we love all our shows. We are very happy with them all. When I ask cab drivers what is their favorite show, I have probably five, six or seven different answers because depending who you are talking to, they have their own version. This one I hope will be able to establish itself. I think that with all the support that Mandalay Bay is putting behind the show, it can be successful. R.L.: There is no dollar figure yet on the investment because there is still more expenditures to come over the next few weeks? D.L.: Exactly. R.L.: But will you top $۱۰۰ million? D.L.: It is tough to say right now because it is a different environment. First of all, we walked in a theater that was already a good theater, so it was easier for us to really bring the theater to the standard of Cirque du Soleil. We are really looking forward to hearing the music of Michael Jackson in that theater because, as you know, the technology of the sound systems is improving all the time. This will be the newest state-of-the-art sound system; I think people will listen to the music of Michael in a different way here. R.L.: This is not meant as an awkward question, but a really serious business question. You can reach plateaus in every business. Theater business is really soft at the moment in Las Vegas. There are some real demographic income problems here of how much people can spend when they visit. How as a businessman do you deal with that when you are launching a show as ambitious as this one? D.L.: The one thing that you have to do first and foremost is don't take anything for granted. We feel today like if we would be launching our first show in Las Vegas, so we don't take for granted that the brand of Michael or Cirque du Soleil is a slam-dunk. We come here and we have to convince people that this show can work. At the end of the day, it is not us who will make the success of this show. It is the word of mouth. We live it right now with "Zarkana"; the word of mouth of "Zarkana" is very, very positive. All of a sudden, we have a new show working, so it is the public, at the end of the day -- they are the judge. In this city, there are a lot of very important influencers -- the concierge, the cab drivers, the employees of the casino. That is why, right now, we are going to put a lot of effort to bring the influencers to see the show. We also are spending a lot of time listening to their comments. If there are things to be fixed, we will fix it. [...] R.L.: The public always wants more, and we in the media always want to know more, so how do you deal with the increasing levels of danger with the acrobatics? We know these kids risk their lives and bodies -- how do you push that needle to make it even more wow for word of mouth? D.L.: I understand what you are saying. First and foremost, we have to be very careful because we will never do anything that will bring additional danger to our artists. Our security measures are very tight, probably the tightest in the industry. Having said that, obviously what they are doing is risky by definition, but at the same time, we don't think that in the future we are going to bring people to the next level because someone is doing something crazier in terms of taking risks. I think we have to be much more sophisticated in the way that the shows are directed, the way that we are bringing new technologies, the way we are seeing the design of our costumes. You are seeing more and more dance in our show, more and more technologies. We just have to meld now the acrobatic act much more with the music, with dance and other elements of content. Guy now is surrounding himself with a new team of creators, bringing more and more young creators to make sure that we are going, in terms of creative content, to the next level and that we are bringing a new perspective to the type of show that we are developing. Source: MJFC / Las Vegas Sun Q&A With 'One' Director Jamie King (۲۶-۲-۲۰۱۳) Jamie, King, director of the upcoming Michael Jackson-themed Cirque du Soleil show 'Michael Jackson One' gave some more detail about the show in an interview to Las Vegas Sun reporter Robin Leach. It's about three months until the first preview of 'Michael Jackson One' at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas (USA), but the show has already sold $۵۰۰,۰۰۰ in tickets the first few hours of the spectacle going on sale over the weekend exclusively to insider Michael Jackson and MGM Resorts club members. The casting and Montreal training began in October and director Jamie King says that it's one of the longest pre-production schedules in Cirque du Soleil's history, if not the longest. "We are literally just in technical rehearsals now. I just spent the last four months living in Montreal in production rehearsals. Now we are in tech rehearsals here for the next few weeks, and then we go into all production rehearsals here. It's a long run before the premiere. Starting in March, I am here every day. It needs to be a long set of work. It's ambitious, but for a great show, you need to have that much work put into it." Robin Leach: When you say interactive, do you mean the experience is around you, in front of you and above you? Jamie King: Yes. I am not going to say it is unlike any theater we have seen before, but certainly what we are doing, our intention is to immerse the audience in the energy of our show, which is Michael's energy and spirit. We want to make sure that they see and feel our costumes, see and feel the energy of our performers and acrobats just as you saw here today. R.L.: So the cast will leave the stage? J.K.: Absolutely. They will leave the stage and integrate into the audience above you and around you, on the sides of you. [...] R.L.: Where does the storyline start? How old is he, and where does it finish? J.K.: It is in no way a chronological biopic story of Michael Jackson. It is a complete new fairytale in a Cirque way. We have created a new story, something that people may or may not get all the way, but we certainly do. And we think it is a great fairytale and journey to go on using Michael's music. To read the complete interview, please click here. Source: MJFC / Las Vegas Sun / Special thanks to Kelly for bringing this to our attention!