The Legend Lives On - Official Cirque du Soleil 'Immortal World Tour' Discussion [Archive] - Page 9 - The Michael Jackson Community

Memefan

08-02-2012, 08:25 PM

Cirque Du Soleil celebrates an immortal with Michael Jackson tour

By Rebecca S. Rivas of the St. Louis American | 0 comments (http://www.stlamerican.com/entertainment/living_it/article_d8e324e6-5276-11e1-ae14-001871e3ce6c.html#user-comment-area) If there were ever to be a world tour commemorating Michael Jackson's life work that would meet the world's expectations, it would have to be mind-blowing - filled with world-class dancers, musicians and performers.
Cirque du Soleil, the world-famous circus, took on the task. And last night, the group's "Michael Jackson - Immortal World Tour" sent many to their feet and to tears at the St. Louis Scottrade Center in a two-and-a-half hour performance filled with all the things one would hope.
Taking center stage amidst acrobats flying through the air and a 10-piece live band was video footage of the King of Pop, projected on video screens that reached from the ceiling to the floor - equivalent to 12 stories.
The audience roared when Jackson's music, recordings of interviews with Jackson and his famous music videos were brought to life among more than 40 dancers and acrobats. Through video storytelling and acrobatic language, Cirque du Soleil is spreading Jackson's message of unity, love, peace and justice across the world.
The show began with Jackson's "Childhood" at the gilded gates of Neverland, where a break-dancing mime awakens the bronze statues that inhabit the magical place.
The serene scene transforms into a high-powered number "Wanna be Starting Something," where dancers and acrobats in tribal costumes climb and down the stage and flip off a tiered tower.
From there, one begins to understand the flow of the night - Jackson's songs overlaid seamlessly from one to the next. And at least 10 exciting things to see at any one time - the electrifying band, dancers and live video-mixing that combined live footage with Jackson's old videos.
Every one of the 22 scenes was hypnotizing, but some stood out more than others.
Starting with "This Place Hotel," artists performed a sensual aerial tango, partially suspended in the air, as if they were in an anti-gravity nightclub. Then the male dancers from this number climbed up about 20-foot-tall light posts, which were flimsy enough to sway back and forth as they read newspapers.
That prompted a prelude to "Smooth Criminal," which was a video of old-timey newspapers talking about this uncatchable criminal and mixing images of Jackson in a white zoot suit. The men climb down from the light posts, as dancers in blue suits perform a choreography that showcases Jackson's iconic moves, including his famous leaning motion.
Then a white-zoot-suited figure arrives on the scene, and the men rip her suit off. Pole dancer Anna Melnikova reveals herself in a sequence bikini-like costume, and proceeds to climb up a tall pole and perform one of the most truly dangerous pole-dancing acts ever attempted to "Dangerous." She was surrounded by gangsters below also dancing.
Mime Salah Benlemqawansa, who served as the show's clown or storyteller, was also a crowd pleaser. As he led the audience from scene to scene, sometimes he would be "inhabited" by Jackson's spirit and break into a beat box number or break dancing.

At one point, the mime opened a stage-size book, and contortionist Baaska Enkhbaatar crawled out to "Is it Scary." At times, she turned the book's pages in a handstand with her feet on her head and with only one hand.
The scene right before intermission was rightfully "Thriller." The number re-imagined Jackson's original choreography and his iconic moves, as dancers and acrobats dressed as mummies performed on a graveyard set.
While the first act "thrilled" the audience, the second act truly pushed forward Jackson's pleas for an end to injustice, hatred, war and destruction of the planet.

It started with a breathtaking dance that encompassed his message of love in "I Just Can't Stop Loving You." Appearing as a black and a white swan, two artists emerge from a lake to perform a graceful straps duo. As they flipped high above the crowd, other aerial ballerinas twirled in the shadows.

Following, the songs "Beat it" and "Jam" were powerful dance numbers that worked the crowd up to "Scream," where acrobats executed a perfectly synchronized tumbling act, flinging themselves in the air and belly flopping onto the stage. Above Ninja-style acrobats suspended in the air interacted with the Japanimation-inspired sequences projected on the screens. The whole scene evoked the planet in peril.
Then in "They Don't Care About Us," dancers reenacted the number that was designed for the THIS IS IT concert tour, as artists dressed like soldiers wearing robot suits lined up to perform a powerful choreography in unison.
The soldiers' breastplates began to glow and artists from the audience came on the stage holding red glowing hearts to "Will You Be There." Almost spooky, Jackson's image was projected on a cloth-like screen that made it wave in and out. The song matched with his image sent many in the audience to tears.
The emotional moment was followed with an up-beat mega mix of "Can You Feel It," "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough," "Billie Jean," and "Black or White" - all riveting dance numbers.
The show's trumpet player Keyon Harrold, a native St. Louisan, kicked off the segment by coming out on the stage and waving the crowd up to dance. One can all but guarantee that his mother Shirley Harrold and his family were among the first audience members on their feet.
For "Black or White," performers manipulated flags in a tribute to the nations and dance styles of the world, including African, Spanish, Thai and Georgian dances.
The show's finale was "Man in the Mirror" - a song that Jackson often chose to end his concerts - in a celebration of the legacy of an immortal.
The show takes the stage again tonight at the Scottrade Center downtown at 8 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.scottradecenter.com/STC-events/mjcirque.html

http://www.stlamerican.com/entertainment/living_it/article_d8e324e6-5276-11e1-ae14-001871e3ce6c.html

To those who've seen the show, is it me are they have made changes to IJCSLY? I don't think there was a lake before. And there were definitely no aerial ballerinas

ilmjj

08-02-2012, 08:44 PM

Memefan I saw the show in Oct and I don't think the swans emerged from a lake. That is pretty dramatic and I think I would remember that. I like this review. I saw another StLouis paper review and he called the IJCSLY segment a "snooze" but he was for the most part very positve.
I cried during IJCSLY and I thought singing in spanish was wonderful!

Do you know why the Twins were fired? I would beg at Jamie King's feet to let me be in this
show!!!

A friend of mine saw the show later and didn't remember the guys on rings for "Can you feel it?" and I was wondering if they changed that too?

bluesky

08-02-2012, 11:50 PM

Dance_at_Cirque (https://twitter.com/#%21/Dance_at_Cirque) Cirque du Soleil

Dance auditions for Cirque du Soleil/Michael Jackson in Mandalay bay coming up fast: L.A., NYC, Europe. Stay tuned on this Twitter feed.

(https://twitter.com/#%21/Dance_at_Cirque/status/167370271001542657)2 hours ago

N (https://twitter.com/#%21/Dance_at_Cirque/status/167370271001542657)ote: if you have time watch this video - quite interesting about the audition process and training

Getting into Cirque Carolyn Jarvis, 16x9 : Monday, November 14, 2011 2:15 PM

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Canada’s world-famous Cirque du Soleil is not your typical big top spectacle. With 22 shows around the world, it has become an international sensation. But getting into a Cirque du Soleil production is no small feat. Thousands try out every year hoping they will make the cut – but only a select few ever do.

Finding performers of a high enough calibre falls to Cirque’s team of scouts. Together, they form the largest casting department in the world.

“We are looking for the pearls of the world,” says Giulio Scatola, a dance scout for Cirque. “We are looking for the diamonds in the rough.”

Stacy Clark, also a scout, is responsible for finding athletic talent. That discipline makes up more than 50% of all performers in Cirque du Soleil. “We will look anywhere we need to look to find the most exciting, best technically, best innovation, whatever it is, all over the world,” Clark says.

Once a performer is scouted, they are invited to a Cirque audition. Open calls are held for all disciplines-- dancing, acting, gymnastics - even extreme sports. Athletes who make it through a successful audition are invited to Cirque’s headquarters in Montreal for general training. It is the final qualifying hurdle before being cast in a show.

“Most of these athletes I would say nine times out of ten, have never done what they’re about to do in their life,” says Mitch Head, a coach at Cirque’s headquarters.

Athletes accustomed to traditional gymnastics apparatuses like uneven bars, rings and tumbling have to learn entirely new skills and new apapratus. They are also pushed on their artistry in order to make the transition from competitive athlete to circus performer.

“It’s everything put together,” says Mitch. “All the tools they’ve learned in their dance class, in their acting classes – and of course the acrobatics that we’ve been training since day one – it’s all been leading up to this point.”

This summer, 28 athletes from around the world began their training at Cirque headquarters and 16x9 followed three in particular on their journey. Watch 16x9 this Saturday at 7pm as Chief Correspondent Carolyn Jarvis finds out what it takes - to run away with the circus.

Read it on Global News: Global News | Getting into Cirque (http://www.globalnews.ca/pages/story.aspx?id=6442521419#ixzz1lqE1KfGQ)

Petrarose

09-02-2012, 04:59 AM

Memefan

09-02-2012, 07:53 AM

Waw these changes in the show, means you can go to shows in different states and come away with new experiences. This is very clever marketing, because it is making me want to see the show in several different states/countries. The only problem is that I do not have unlimited funds to run all over the world.

I don't think its a marketing ploy....they seemed to tweak the show to make it more coherent (a sticking point raised by many critics after Montreal premiere)...and they also seem to pay attention to reviews.

I've said from the very beginning, when the show hits europe, it's gonna be flawless.

Marissa87

09-02-2012, 06:56 PM

Petrarose

10-02-2012, 01:41 AM

I am heading to the second series of Montreal shows in March - should be interesting. And they are coming back to my hometown in July. I think the changes to the show are still happening so I might go again in July just for the different experience.

Good for you. I was wondering if they would return to Montreal since they began the shows in Canada, so this is excellent news for those of you who want to see the show again before it heads to Europe.

bluesky

10-02-2012, 01:53 AM

Gianinni1 (https://twitter.com/#%21/Gianinni1) Gianinni Semedo

In St. Louis! Show tonight! 14.000 people - MJ Immortal World Tour instagr.am/p/GuCvTiL3bs/

http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/1afe056251d211e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg (http://t.co/lbRcDWFM)

Petrarose

10-02-2012, 02:18 AM

^^What a beautiful city. I love the architecture.

Memefan

10-02-2012, 09:40 PM

New dates for Vancouver, BC. August 10th & 11th.

Petrarose

11-02-2012, 02:36 AM

I wish they would have a new date for Madison Square Garden too.

Memefan

11-02-2012, 02:48 AM

I wish they would have a new date for Madison Square Garden too.

I am sure they will...I too am waiting for NY tix.

There are so many shows int he surroundings areas (Long Island, New Jersey) maybe they are waiting for those to sell out before announcing new NY dates. MSG sold out a long while ago.

Petrarose

11-02-2012, 03:00 AM

I am sure they will...I too am waiting for NY tix.

There are so many shows int he surroundings areas (Long Island, New Jersey) maybe they are waiting for those to sell out before announcing new NY dates. MSG sold out a long while ago.

Meme somehow I have no zeal to go to Long Island or Jersey for the show, which is strange since I went all the way to Vegas to see it. I guess I want the experience at Madison. I regret now that when I bought the Vegas ticket I did not buy the MSG ticket as well. If they add a new Madison date I will stay up all night to buy right away!!!

Turq95

11-02-2012, 04:01 PM

Saw it last night at the houston toyota center. All I can say was that it was an INCREDIBLE show! They didn't play all the songs that were on the album, and there were some things that could have been different, but other than that I loved it

SimplyMagic

11-02-2012, 04:24 PM

I have tickets for tonight at the Houston Toyota Center. I can't wait. I'm so excited! :wild:

IDRAG4MJ

11-02-2012, 04:40 PM

anybody have any idea how many dates have been announced totally ?? 200??

SimplyMagic

11-02-2012, 04:58 PM

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</TBODY>

Lorraine

11-02-2012, 08:29 PM

I have tickets for tonight at the Houston Toyota Center. I can't wait. I'm so excited! :wild:Tell us how it was!!! have fun :D

dam2040

11-02-2012, 09:32 PM

They're performing on the 25 of June?

Petrarose

12-02-2012, 02:31 AM

^^A performance on June 25 may make some sad, but others might embrace an opportunity to see something uplifting and positive about Michael on that particular day.

I think from now on on June 25 I will do a happy thing for Michael.

SimplyMagic

12-02-2012, 04:37 AM

qbee

12-02-2012, 06:11 AM

^^ Im so happy when I hear how much every one enjoys IMMORTAL.:wild: It truly is an amazing Show.

Nadia1981

13-02-2012, 09:05 AM

Last December I travelled to LA and Vegas on a special MJ trip with a girl I met on the MJ.com forum. We had an amazing time visiting Neverland and attending the FanFest. I took so many pics at the FanFest, one security guy asked if I was with the press lol. I have to say though, security was AWESOME. So friendly and helpful (and flirty ;-) hahaha).
I've been to the MJ O2 exhibition in London too, and they were way too strict. You weren't allowed to photograph anything and fans were not happy with that. I think they have learned their lesson while organising the FanFest lol.

The show was simply beautiful and I couldn't stop myself from shedding a tear every now and then. The softly spoken words coming from Michael, so powerful. His amazing voice, so clear and beautiful. I have never seen Michael perform live, and I kept thinking that this was the closest I would ever get.
Some advice, if you can choose your seats when ordering, try to get them somewhere in front of the stage. Allthough we bought the best tickets and were seated on row 5, the seats were on the side of the stage and that's really not a good place to get a view of the entire production.

I hope they will do a stop in Belgium so I can see it again. And if not, I'm sure they will stop at one of my neighboring countries lol.

bluesky

14-02-2012, 02:03 AM

https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/1518702276/327130_10150362291316303_754746302_10377157_487900 6_o_normal.jpg
Gianinni1 (https://twitter.com/#%21/Gianinni1) Gianinni Semedo

Showtime! MJ Immortal World Tour! Houston, Texas - Audience is ready!!! instagr.am/p/G7APcbr3Vq/ (http://t.co/hdxYAvKS)

12 Feb

http://distilleryimage2.instagram.com/ae6da61655c611e19e4a12313813ffc0_7.jpg

(https://twitter.com/#%21/Gianinni1/status/168819850154754048)

Petrarose

14-02-2012, 03:15 AM

I just got back from the show.........it was awesome. :wild: I really liked Workin' Day And Night, Smooth Criminal, Dangerous, Billie Jean, Thriller, and TDCAU. Scream was awesome too. :yes:

When the show was about to start, I got up, turn around and said to the people behind me: "I'm warning you, I'm not gonna be able to sit still." A very, very, pleasantly plump woman (probably in her 60's) then said, "Don't worry honey, we won't be sitting still either..........and she started doing some MJ moves. :lol:

I was very happy to see that the place was packed. :wild:

HAAAAAAAAAA that was funny. Thanks. When I went someone shouted MICHAEL, and it made me think of a concert.

That stadium is packed!!! I love seeing things like that.

Nadia I agree with you, because I took tons of pictures at the Fanfest too. It was really a celebration for fans.

StellaJackson

14-02-2012, 04:26 AM

Does anyone have any pictures of the merchandise stand?

dam2040

14-02-2012, 05:26 PM

http://www.chosenberingia.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/IMG_3933.jpg

T (http://www.chosenberingia.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/IMG_3933.jpg)here's one ;)

DirtyDiana2000

16-02-2012, 09:04 PM

Hey everyone. I just wanted to give my review of the show. I attended the show in New Orleans last night and it was AMAZING! I went with my dad and we had such a great time. The entire show was great but the highlights for me was the Immortal Intro, Childhood, Smooth Criminal/Dangerous, Speechless/Human Nature, and TDCAU. Oh, and I cried during Will You Be There. It was so phenomenal! I didn't want to leave once it ended. :lol: If I didn't have school, I would have attended the show tonight in New Orleans as well.

Great job to everyone involved with the show! :clapping:

Petrarose

16-02-2012, 11:51 PM

Dirtydiana thanks for the review and pass on the word to your friends so they can enjoy it too.

FvrAngel

17-02-2012, 12:52 AM

Wow now I REALLY want to go!! I hope ill be able to go the good thing is that if I do go it will be on a saturday cause its a 5 hour drive. :)

marebear

17-02-2012, 02:48 AM

I felt the same. I didn't want to leave and just wanted to watch it all over again.

luvmichaelsomuch

18-02-2012, 05:16 AM

I saw the show on February 10th and enjoyed it so much! It was amazing. The place was very upbeat. You could just feel the love from everyone for our beloved Michael Jackson. It felt good. The sound system was excellent, I even heard a snippet of "Privacy" which is one of my favorites from "Invincible". I loved all the songs but if I have to pick a favorite act, it would be "TDRCAU". If I were able, I would have gone to see the next 2 shows.

qbee

19-02-2012, 07:26 AM

Yes I also wish I could have seen it more than once. It really is like a three ring circus for the fact there is so much going on at once. In the air, on the stage, on the screen, on the floor _ You can hardly take it all in. It's an extravaganza for the eyes, ears and heart <3

CaptainEoLove85

19-02-2012, 07:42 PM

Is there any chance they might release the show on DVD (maybe wishful thinking) I'd love to be able to see it again too. And no cameras means very little youtube clips. Kinda makes it hard to relive it. :(

Memefan

21-02-2012, 12:52 AM

I wish there was a way for us to validate this information. Is the 2nd cast for the permanent show in Vegas...or a second touring cast?

@WDMdance
Cirque du Soleil is looking to create a 2nd cast for the Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour.

Marissa87

21-02-2012, 03:13 AM

I'm going to be there March 20th in Montreal! I can't even STAND waiting anymore. I've had my tickets for so long.

Immortal soundtrack is on constant repeat in my house and car. I can't get enough of the mash ups and remixes - I love it!

Stunna

21-02-2012, 06:22 PM

The Brown Gangsta

21-02-2012, 10:12 PM

I just saw this on facebook:

Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil will have a special performance at this Sunday’s Oscars! Like this post if you’ll be watching!

I'm assuming it's a performance from the IMMORTAL world tour since the status was from their account (but they technicallydidn't specify which cirque show in that status so I'm not 100% sure)

bluesky

21-02-2012, 10:22 PM

Cirque du Soleil Will Present an Exclusive Act at the 84th Academy AwardsFriday, February 17, 2012
Cirque du Soleil will pay tribute to Hollywood’s biggest night with its largest ensemble cast ever assembled in one act.
The performance will be accompanied by music by Academy Award®-nominated composer Danny Elfman, who scored the music for Cirque du Soleil’s IRIS, A Journey through the World of Cinema (http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/iris/default.aspx)™. More than 50 international artists from Cirque du Soleil productions around the world will converge in Los Angeles on Oscar Sunday to bring the dynamic showcase to life.

The act marks the second time Cirque du Soleil has performed during an Academy Awards telecast. The troupe’s first appearance, at the 74th Academy Awards, sparked discussions about creating a permanent show at the Kodak Theatre and resulted in the creation of IRIS.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.
Tune in for a special performance from Cirque du Soleil on Sunday’s Oscars and follow our live coverage on Twitter (https://twitter.com/cirque), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/cirquedusoleil) and Tumblr (http://cirquedusoleil.tumblr.com/).

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/cirque-club/news/2012/2012-02-17-oscars.aspx

SimplyMagic

21-02-2012, 10:25 PM

^ I read about it too. It didn't sound like they were talking about Immortal. :sad:

bobmoo79

22-02-2012, 04:13 PM

I'd be very surprised if they didn't sneak in some MJ references or music. It's the ideal time to advertise one of their newest shows.

buzzialdrin

22-02-2012, 06:52 PM

Hello I am new...actually I am a fan since 1988...I am new to this board...I have always been lurking :)

Anyway.....I want to know if anyone got their VIP ticket package (souvenir etc)...?Did you get it at the door or was it mailed to you.

BTW, I am no VIP...I am actually poor and hence very stingy lol....But for MJ I wanted to see things upclose... i have bad eyesight..even with glasses it keeps changing lol...

....also I have 2 VIP tix, and want to sell 1 (VIP). It is a June 2012 show in the USA! It is popular here...there was only 1 date, a second date was added later. Please reply!

MJ - All for L.O.V.E.

Paris78

24-02-2012, 06:09 PM

Don't know if this was already postet:

Top 20 Concert Tours from Pollstar
The Associated Press | February 23, 2012
The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.
TOP 20 CONCERT TOURS
1. (1) Cirque du Soleil – "Michael Jackson: The Immortal"; $2,075,157; $108.75.
2. (2) Kanye West / Jay-Z; $1,892,752; $118.30 3. (3) Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band; $719,959; $71.27.
.....

Always great to see :-)

Memefan

27-02-2012, 02:19 PM

New date for Cirque Immortal

Hampton, Virginia May 8th.

Pre-sale today and general sale on March 5th.

bluesky

27-02-2012, 09:01 PM

buzzialdrin

29-02-2012, 11:54 PM

I might be attending the show at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee in march. would anyone say its worth it to go all out for the first level tickets that are like $190ish, or is the experience still awesome from the upper level? I've never been to a cirque show so i'm not sure what to expect totally.

From what I read in the reviews, the best place is in front of the ramp. The ramp extends out like a catwalk. So try to find a seat in front of the catwalk.:oldsmile:

Paris78

01-03-2012, 05:59 PM

And again - Cirque rules !!

Top 20 Concert Tours from Pollstar
Associated PressBy The Associated Press | Associated Press – 10 minutes ago

The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.

TOP 20 CONCERT TOURS

1. (1) Cirque du Soleil — "Michael Jackson: The Immortal"; $2,140,051; $108.84.

2. (2) Kanye West / Jay-Z; $1,705,242; $112.91.

3. (New) Cirque du Soleil — "Dralion"; $1,148,681; $64.08.

4. (New) Cirque du Soleil — "Quidam"; $997,663; $66.93.

5. (3) Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band; $734,313; $71.54.

bluesky

02-03-2012, 02:01 AM

msdeweydiva

02-03-2012, 02:19 AM

From what I read in the reviews, the best place is in front of the ramp. The ramp extends out like a catwalk. So try to find a seat in front of the catwalk.:oldsmile:

I agree. I saw the show this past Tuesday in Orlando in the uppermost "nosebleed" section of the Amway Center and while I LOVED every minute of it, singing every single word and soaking in the performances and loving Michael like crazy, I felt like I was missing a lot of gorgeous Cirque detail. I also think the venue was too large. But, I've also had the pleasure of seeing La Nouba twice at Downtown Disney, so...I know how beneficial a more intimate theater can be for this type of concert. If you have the money to go all out and be on the floor or on a lower level, I think it'll be a more powerful Michael experience. But oh my, Cirque du Soleil does such an amazing job, paying homage to our lovely Michael with this incredible tribute. I'm still re-living my experience two days later. :heart:

bluesky

02-03-2012, 04:39 PM

Tina Guo (https://www.facebook.com/TinaGuoMusic)

At the beach today with the Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil (https://www.facebook.com/mjimmortaltour) family! ♥

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s320x320/420042_10100735926264695_3405259_55217615_69463199 5_n.jpg
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100735926264695&set=a.10100734462792505.2767842.3405259&type=1&ref=nf)

March 2012 Adventures (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100734462792505.2767842.3405259&type=3)
The family at South Beach in Miami today!On tour with the Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil!

Stunna

02-03-2012, 04:44 PM

I agree. I saw the show this past Tuesday in Orlando in the uppermost "nosebleed" section of the Amway Center and while I LOVED every minute of it, singing every single word and soaking in the performances and loving Michael like crazy, I felt like I was missing a lot of gorgeous Cirque detail. I also think the venue was too large. But, I've also had the pleasure of seeing La Nouba twice at Downtown Disney, so...I know how beneficial a more intimate theater can be for this type of concert. If you have the money to go all out and be on the floor or on a lower level, I think it'll be a more powerful Michael experience. But oh my, Cirque du Soleil does such an amazing job, paying homage to our lovely Michael with this incredible tribute. I'm still re-living my experience two days later. :heart: awesome! thanks for the tips!

The One.

04-03-2012, 10:40 AM

Got tickets to the show in Helsinki 5th November. Wheee!!!

oceanborn

05-03-2012, 08:29 AM

Got tickets to the show in Helsinki 5th November. Wheee!!!

Good for you! :)
I'm planning to go to Stockholm show, because the show in Helsinki is during the week and it's difficult for me to travel from the other side of the country at that time... The Stockholm show is on the weekend, so there's much more time to travel then. Although it would be nice to see the show with fellow Finns, but no can do :(

marc_vivien

05-03-2012, 10:02 AM

https://twitter.com/#!/Norm_Clarke<s style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; line-height: 18px; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 193, 213); ">

#</s>MichaelJackson (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23MichaelJackson) show at <s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 193, 213); ">#</s>MandalayBay (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23MandalayBay) still on track for May 13 2013. Will be more theatrical than touring show. <s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 193, 213); ">#</s>FB (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23FB) <s style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; line-height: 18px; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 193, 213); "># (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23vegas)</s>vegas

(https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23vegas)Jackson show will "probably" run 6 months in Europe. Recently offered more dates in London and quickly sold out (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23vegas)<s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 193, 213); ">#</s>FB (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23FB) (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23vegas)<s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 193, 213); ">#</s>cirque (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23cirque)<s style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; line-height: 18px; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 193, 213); ">#</s> (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23vegas)vegas

(https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23vegas)[/URL][URL="https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23vegas"] (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23vegas)<s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 193, 213); ">#</s>Cirque (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23Cirque)'s Daniel Lemarre says touring Michael Jackson North Am show doing well and getting "a stampede" of Asian agents to run there. <s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(102, 193, 213); ">#</s>FB (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23FB)

PurpleParrot

05-03-2012, 03:21 PM

Only 15 days before the show comes back to Montreal and then Quebec city.. YAAAAYYYYY!

Xscape2041

05-03-2012, 03:32 PM

Are they planning to bring the physical giving tree back at all? Does anyone know?

But I guess they just scrapped it and save it for the resident show.

The One.

05-03-2012, 07:33 PM

Good for you! :)
I'm planning to go to Stockholm show, because the show in Helsinki is during the week and it's difficult for me to travel from the other side of the country at that time... The Stockholm show is on the weekend, so there's much more time to travel then. Although it would be nice to see the show with fellow Finns, but no can do :(
Actually I don't even know where I'll be in November - if I'm even in Finland.. but I had to get the ticket just in case. If I can't make it, I'll sell it to a fellow fan and go see the show somewhere else :p

saveNRG

05-03-2012, 11:39 PM

They just announced today that they'll be coming to my city, Albany NY, on May 22nd! After I already bought tickets to see it at MSG on April 4th. Guess I'm going to be going twice!

marc_vivien

07-03-2012, 02:54 PM

MICHAEL JACKSON UPDATES

Meantime, the newest Cirque show to open in Las Vegas will be the Michael Jackson permanent spectacular at Mandalay Bay. “We are in full construction mode now,“ Daniel said. “The theater is being renovated, and the equipment is being redesigned. It is all set for Mandalay Bay -- there’s no chance of the show going anywhere else in Vegas. We are on target and on schedule for the May 13 opening next year.

“The big difference between the touring show and the new permanent show is that this one will be much more theatrical. The month residency of the touring show in Mandalay Bay helped us tweak it. It’s even better now than when you saw it here. It has been No. 1 on the Pollstar box office rankings since the New Year began. It will remain in North America until the fall.

“We then go to Europe for six months. We’d marked London for six dates, but they sold out immediately just to Cirque club members. We’re looking to add at least three more shows there. It’s a stampede in Asia with the promoters there, so we’re now putting that part of the plan into place.

“A show of this kind would normally run two years, and now we’re looking at three, maybe four years. Many cities here in North America were sold out, so we would like the show to come back for repeat dates -- but not on this side of the country because we don’t want to cannibalize the new Mandalay show.”

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/mar/06/cirques-daniel-lamarre-talks-elvis-jackson-3d-movi/?ae

(http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/mar/06/cirques-daniel-lamarre-talks-elvis-jackson-3d-movi/?ae)

IDRAG4MJ

08-03-2012, 12:21 AM

so it means cirque will do 9 or 10 dates at the 02 arena ...WOW

elusive moonwalker

08-03-2012, 06:28 AM

Shame fans will miss out cause they wont take the show out of london. yet they can manage several cities in germany for eg.do they think the only ppl going to TII were from london

The One.

08-03-2012, 11:03 AM

^ Yes, it's a shame. They could go to Manchester or Birmingham, also it would easier for those fans who don't want to go to O2..

dam2040

08-03-2012, 12:56 PM

I recieved my tickets in the post yesterday, really early!

marc_vivien

08-03-2012, 05:39 PM

Michael Jackson: Immortal World Tour UK Dates (http://www.stereoboard.com/michael-jackson-tickets)
are as follows:

Oct 12th - O2 Arena, London
Oct 13th - O2 Arena, London
Oct 14th – O2 Arena, London
Oct 16th – O2 Arena, London
Oct 17th – O2 Arena, London – NEW DATE

http://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/171161/9

bluesky

08-03-2012, 06:22 PM

Review: Michael Jackson, Cirque du Soleil a sensory overload

Posted: March 8, 2012 - 12:25am | Updated: March 8, 2012 - 11:09am

http://jacksonville.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/lead_photo_wide/web_CirqueMJSmoothCriminal.jpgCirque du Soleil
Sparks shoot from dancers' guns as they perform Michael Jackson's famous "lean" move during "Smooth Criminal."

http://jacksonville.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/story_slideshow_thumb/web_CirqueMJJustCantStopLoving.jpg (http://jacksonville.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/web_CirqueMJJustCantStopLoving.jpg)Cirque dul Soleil
Appearing as a black and a white swan, two Cirque artists perform to Michael Jackson's "I Just Can't Stop Loving You."

^ This is new act addition. It wasn't there originally.

The pairing of Michael Jackson’s music and the theatrics of Cirque du Soleil might just be too much of a good thing.
Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil (http://events.jacksonville.com/jacksonville_fl/events/show/216690565-cirque-du-soleil-michael-jackson-the-immortal), which played at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on

Wednesday night (and returns Thursday night) is a sensory overload.

Jackson’s music is played live by a crack 11-piece band (all except for Jackson’s vocals, obviously), and that alone is pretty overwhelming.
Throw in dozens of dancers, aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, mimes, explosions, break dancers, beatboxers, strobes, mummies, a dancing monkey and a bikini-clad cellist, and it’s almost too much to take in.
The Cirque performers – more than 50 in all, not counting the band – are as gifted and energetic as any you’ll ever see. But a few stood out, even from that crowd: contortionist Baaska Enkhbaatar, who apparently has no bones; one-legged dancer Jean Sok, who nearly steals the show; 19-year-old guitar prodigy Desiree Bassett, who can shred with the best of them; and mime Salah Benlemqawansa, who is the thread that runs through the whole thing.
There is a plot to the show – something about trying to get into Jackson’s fabled Neverland Ranch – but it’s really beside the point. Like other Cirque shows, it’s about sitting back and watching extraordinary performers doing their thing. For the most part, that’s dance, but it’s generally not dance like you’d see anywhere else – dancers are flipping or flying or hanging off poles or bouncing off walls or rising out of the floor where you least expect them.
Jackson’s music, some of which has been heavily remixed, sets this apart from other Cirque shows, though. When the band strikes up “Thriller” or “Beat It” or “Human Nature” or “Smooth Criminal,” the crowd reacts, regardless of what the Cirque performers are doing on stage. The show touches on dozens of his hits but, with a career like his there is just no way to play all of them.
It’s not a concert, it’s not a circus, it’s not a freak show and it’s not a dance recital. But it is a show you won’t soon forget.

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/arts/2012-03-08/story/review-michael-jackson-cirque-du-soleil-sensory-overload#ixzz1oYROGOM3

bluesky

08-03-2012, 06:24 PM

Michael Jackson: Immortal World Tour UK Dates (http://www.stereoboard.com/michael-jackson-tickets)
are as follows:

Oct 12th - O2 Arena, London
Oct 13th - O2 Arena, London
Oct 14th – O2 Arena, London
Oct 16th – O2 Arena, London
Oct 17th – O2 Arena, London –
NEW DATE

http://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/171161/9

they are "lazy". it would be easier to sell tickets if they do it at another city.

bobmoo79

08-03-2012, 06:47 PM

Well I think they may do another city when the come back to the UK (I'm almost certain they'll come back!). Maybe they'll do Manchester or Birmingham.

elusive moonwalker

08-03-2012, 07:52 PM

^ Yes, it's a shame. They could go to Manchester or Birmingham, also it would easier for those fans who don't want to go to O2.. Yeah but then it saves me making a decision on whether to go and saves a couple of hundred quid aswell

Laura.L.

09-03-2012, 07:24 PM

I've got tickets to two shows in Helsinki, Finland! Can_not_wait.

Marissa87

09-03-2012, 08:10 PM

10 days 10 days 10 days!

Memefan

10-03-2012, 12:44 AM

'Michael Jackson The Immortal,' Kanye West & Jay-Z Top Most Lucrative Concert Tours
Michael Jackson may have passed away, but that doesn't mean his name -- and music -- aren't bringing in millions at the box office."Michael Jackson: The Immortal," Cirque du Soleil's tribute to the late singer brought in an astounding $2,362,502 over the past three months -- more than any other touring concert act.This comes as good news for Michael Jackson's estate, after hackers stole the entirety of his musical catalog (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/michael-jackson-hacking-james-marks-james-mccormick_n_1321912.html)from Sony's computer systems earlier this week.Kanye West and Jay-Z's "Watch The Throne" tour came in second, earning $1,902,032 at an average ticket price of $112.94 per ticket.Pollstar, an online trade publication that monitors concert sales and reported the numbers, told The Huffington Post that the figures are updated weekly and are based on approximately three months worth of data, meaning that the data released this week covers sales from late November to today."Michael Jackson: The Immortal" wasn't the only Cirque du Soleil show to make it on the chart. Cirque's productions "Dralion" and "Quidam" came in third and fourth on the chart, respectively. Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band rounded out the top five with $753,644 in sales.All told, the three Cirque shows netted an impressive $4.4 million dollars.Other notable acts in Pollstar's Top 20 include Blake Shelton who debuted on the list at the ninth spot with $367,522 in box office earnings. Miranda Lambert's tour earned $314,295, Lady Antebellum brought in $294,995 and punk band Rise Against rounded out the top fifteen with $148,490.The entire Pollstar Top 20 Concert Tours (http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/top-20-concert-tours-pollstar-15881897) list is available below, as reported by the Associated Press:
The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.TOP 20 CONCERT TOURS1. (1) Cirque du Soleil – "Michael Jackson: The Immortal"; $2,362,502; $109.98.2. (2) Kanye West / Jay-Z; $1,902,032; $112.94.3. (3) Cirque du Soleil – "Dralion"; $1,148,681; $64.08.4. (4) Cirque du Soleil – "Quidam"; $912,283; $64.65.5. (5) Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band; $753,644; $73.39.6. (6) Trans-Siberian Orchestra; $618,135; $52.29.7. (New) Jason Aldean; $592,300; $44.11.8. (7) Brad Paisley; $586,414; $52.70.9. (New) Blake Shelton; $367,522; $48.17.10. (9) Jeff Dunham; $346,408; $46.76.11. (New) Miranda Lambert; $314,295; $45.15.12. (11) Lady Antebellum; $294,995; $44.54.13. (10) Eric Church; $263,628; $34.51.14. (14) Rain – A Tribute To The Beatles; $189,572; $47.50.15. (16) Rise Against; $148,490; $34.03.16. (17) The String Cheese Incident; $147,062; $39.19.17. (18) "Mythbusters"; $144,212; $53.09.18. (20) Mannheim Steamroller; $138,470; $56.66.19. (19) "Winter Jam" / Skillet; $136,638; $11.04.20. (New) Salute To Vienna; $132,574; $78.87.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/09/michael-jackson-immortal-kanye-west-jay-z-top-concerts_n_1334467.html?view=print&comm_ref=false

I guess that explains why Jay Z and Kanye are still on the chart, months after they wrapped up their tour. Unusual way of building a chart..

Memefan

13-03-2012, 09:57 AM

Rumor Mill:
RT @EthanStinson: Michael Jackson #MJImmortal World Tour by @Cirque du Soleil : #Paris @BercyOfficiel Avril 2013... #michaeljackson #cirquedusoleil

jaydom7

13-03-2012, 10:50 AM

Rumor Mill:

what is this rumor saying? I don't understand it

CherubimII

13-03-2012, 01:54 PM

Everything about Michael Jackson is simply, SUPERNATURAL!!!!!!

respect77

13-03-2012, 03:30 PM

what is this rumor saying? I don't understand it

I guess that in April, 2013 Immortal goes to the Bercy Stadium, Paris.

ilmjj

13-03-2012, 04:06 PM

Will be attending the show this friday and saturday with friends and family. I saw it in Oct and I can't wait to see how they have changed it!

Petrarose

15-03-2012, 01:31 AM

Will be attending the show this friday and saturday with friends and family. I saw it in Oct and I can't wait to see how they have changed it!

Lucky you seeing it again. I wish it was me, so enjoy.

mkgenie

15-03-2012, 05:48 AM

"Michael Jackson: The Immortal," Cirque du Soleil's tribute to the late singer brought in an astounding $2,362,502 over the past three months -- more than any other touring concert act.

only 2.36 million in 3 months? that's low.

but take a look at the AP story
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/top-20-concert-tours-pollstar-15881897

I think the 2.36 million figure is the average box office gross per city, right?
We still don't get the total gross number since last Nov.

mkgenie

15-03-2012, 05:49 AM

Am I right?

jaydom7

15-03-2012, 08:53 AM

yeah that figure has to be average per night because that amount over 3 months would not be good at all..

bluesky

15-03-2012, 03:19 PM

http://distilleryimage1.instagram.com/854fc07e6e5411e180c9123138016265_7.jpg

gianinni

“With some of my lovely fellow female cast members! MJ Immortal World Tour! We all are like family. 24/7 together; performing, traveling and having fun in our free time! Love these ladies, good people!”

http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/8e42374269a511e1989612313815112c_7.jpg

gianinni
119 photos · 236 followers

“Boarding our private plane.. Florida, you were amazing! North Carolina: See u soon! MJ Immortal World Tour!”

Gianinni Semedo ‏ <s>@</s>Gianinni1 (https://twitter.com/#%21/Gianinni1)

Coming to Holland (my home country) april 17th - april 23rd! Have a week off from the MJ Immortal World Tour. Excited to see my peeps again!

bluesky

15-03-2012, 03:31 PM

OT: Google employees get to see another CDS show

<small class="time"> 13 Mar (https://twitter.com/#%21/Cirque/status/179631911348613121)</small> https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/1829706101/Twitter_ProfileAvatar_normal.jpg Cirque du Soleil ‏ <s>@</s>Cirque (https://twitter.com/#%21/Cirque)

Artists from <s>#</s>TOTEM (https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23TOTEM) will be performing at Google Headquarters today at 3PM PST. Catch the live stream on <s>@</s>YouTube (https://twitter.com/YouTube) here: http://cirk.me/tylive (http://t.co/69aNkm91)

View video

t (https://twitter.com/#)his show seems not doing too well, they have TV commercial like every hour on my local station.

bluesky

15-03-2012, 03:33 PM

somebody's selling their ticket on ebay
Anna ‏ <s>@</s>PatchworkWings (https://twitter.com/#%21/PatchworkWings)

2x Cirque Du Soleil - Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour tickets http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220977055449 (http://t.co/HH0MefeK)

(https://twitter.com/#)

Petrarose

16-03-2012, 12:23 AM

^^Which show is not doing well? People sell tickets of concerts on the internet all the time.

SimplyMagic

16-03-2012, 12:39 AM

^ I think the show bluesky is referring to (that is not doing well) is the TOTEM Cirque Du Soleil show.

billyworld99

16-03-2012, 12:46 AM

mkgenie

16-03-2012, 07:57 AM

that's per night because a week or two ago LA Times reported it grossed $200 million by now

LA TIMES link plz....

Paris78

17-03-2012, 08:27 AM

nice review :-)

"Michael Jackson: the Immortal World Tour" is moving, entertaining
Published March 16, 2012 at 11:56 p.m.

When I first heard about "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour" – a hybrid of a Michael Jackson musical and a Cirque du Soleil performance – I was both fascinated and skeptical. It had all of the potential to be quite captivating or completely corny.

I was concerned it might be the latter because I've seen other Michael Jackson tributes since his death in 2009, and they never quite worked.

Then, I heard that this show – which opened tonight at the Bradley Center and will have a repeat performance on Saturday night at 8 p.m. – was the first musical authorized by Jackson's estate which means they have full license to his music.

Plus, I was informed during an interview last week with publicist Maxime Charbonneau that the show doesn't feature an actor playing Jackson. Instead, he would be represented via his voice and images.

Suddenly, this sounded more appealing.

In terms of bang for your buck, this show brings it. The incredible dancing never stops and ranges in genre from African to break to, of course, Jackson's signature moves. The acrobatics are incredible, so much so I almost had to turn away when a man suspended upside down by a wire held a contorting woman by her ankle.

Also, there's a pole dancer and a one-legged dancer that were both fascinating to watch.

The show did not tell a linear story, rather it interpreted and highlighted aspects of Jackson's career and personality through 22 acts that focus on many elements of the complicated being that was Jackson, including his love for animals, Michael Jordan and the environment.

Last week, when I interviewed Charbonneau, he said the show ranges in emotion and that portions of it are very moving whereas other parts are more upbeat. I found this to be a true statement. The reoccurring theme of childhood and, more specifically, childhood lost, was represented through imagery, children's voices and footage of an adorable Jackson during the Jackson 5 years.

There are aspects of the show that may be problematic for viewers. For one, it is narrated by a mime. Although this mime is an impressive dancer, he is still the classic pretending-to-be-trapped-behind-a-plate-of glass mime. Also, there is a "Bubbles-the-chimp" character representing the primate from a Texas research facility that Jackson adopted in the early '80s. The inclusion of Bubbles was just plain weird.

Charbonneau also said that during most performances audience members get out of their seats and dance during the last 20 minutes of the show. This happened tonight during the second-to-last number which was a mega-mix of "Can You Feel It," "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," "Billie Jean" and a very moving "Black and White."

The final song resonated with the audience which was, indeed, both black and white. Although Jackson clearly had issue with his personal appearance, he also managed to unite his audience regardless of race.

No doubt, like all of us, Jackson was a complex, flawed person. But he was also a gifted, beautiful individual who wished more from the world than he was able to produce. Tonight was a large-scale celebration of Jackson's beautiful parts.

And there were many.

"Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour" opened on Oct. 2, 2011 in Canada and will travel to 60 cities in North America by August of 2012. The show will then tour Europe, Asia and beyond.

http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/mollysnyder/michaelcirquereview.html

Petrarose

17-03-2012, 01:39 PM

^ I think the show bluesky is referring to (that is not doing well) is the TOTEM Cirque Du Soleil show.
Oh I see, Thanks.

ilmjj

17-03-2012, 01:39 PM

I saw the show last night at Milwaukee's Bradley Center. I saw the show in October and I love the changes they have made! The above review is correct about the audience getting up before the the "Can You Feel It" medley. The sax and trumpet players came out front and stood on either side of the stage and started dancing and urging us to get up and do the same. And the whole place did. It was amazing!!!! It was loud and stayed loud. I loved seeing the smiles on the dancers faces at our screams.

I wish they would of done an encore because we were ready. I just wish they would include TWYMMF in this show. People were singing it during the intermission.

I am going again tonight!! It is so fun and I wish I had the money to go to London and see this at the O2. As bittersweet as it is I think it will be really emotional and that place will be super charged with mega Michael love!!

PurpleParrot

17-03-2012, 02:32 PM

They're coming back in my city in a week, can't wait :D

marebear

17-03-2012, 05:22 PM

I saw it in October and would love to see it again. I like the show is getting mostly positive reviews and is well liked.

PurpleParrot

18-03-2012, 02:43 PM

Cast is back in Montreal!!!

Joyce

18-03-2012, 04:33 PM

I am going to see it in November and can't wait. I'm really excited. :)

Petrarose

18-03-2012, 06:54 PM

Waw those of you who are going back to see it again good for you!! I am jealous, but in a nice way.

PurpleParrot

18-03-2012, 11:05 PM

I'm very happy we get to have so many shows, it'll be my 4th and 5th shows next weekend, then they come back in my city in May for 2 others shows, and then in Montreal in July! Blessed!

respect77

19-03-2012, 07:26 AM

It was loud and stayed loud.

I love Michael's music loud, so I hope it stays loud in Europe as well!

Arklove

19-03-2012, 04:02 PM

I love Michael's music loud, so I hope it stays loud in Europe as well!

And his vocals were pushed forward, too...So crystal clear...sounds like heaven :wub:

ForeverKOP

19-03-2012, 04:12 PM

I have done everything humanly possible to try and convince my parents to let me go...but their answer is still NO. A few days ago, they got so fed up that they told me to stop asking or else they'd throw away anything in our house that's related to MJ. I can't do anything. I'm helpless. I mean, I've got the money, my schedule is great the day it's coming to our place...but I still can't ****ing go. DAMN, I'm so angry!!!! I've wanted to go ever since it was announced, and now it'll come & leave without me seeing even a glimpse :(. I don't know what to do...I've cried & I've begged them to let me go, but they won't change their mind. What stings the most is that the venue is only 30 minutes away...to think, they'll be there doing their magic & I won't be able to witness any of it! In an effort to make myself feel better, I keep telling myself that it's not such a big deal...that it's just a bunch of random acrobats performing Michael's songs & dancing his moves...and most importantly, they're doing it all WITHOUT Michael. But after I talk myself through this, I come across something or someone that goes on and on about how AMAZING & ELECTRIFYING it is and then I'm all the way back to square one. I don't know what to do, just feel like crying. :cry:

They have given me "many" reasons (as they say) to convince me that "everything is wrong" with me going to the show. First of all, although the venue isn't far (30-45 minutes away in light traffic), the area it is being held in is downtown...meaning it's kind of sketchy/dangerous...but YOU KNOW WHAT?! THOUSANDS of people go down there to see all kinds of shows ALL THE FREAKING TIME. We also go to downtown many times FOR VARIOUS reasons & I've been there MANY times, so I don't understand what the issue is. The stadium itself (JUST like the Staples Center) is grand & amazing, but the area around it is still developing, that's all. So again, okay, there might be some sketchy people down there, but they won't be AT the show itself (they'll be the random hobos OUTSIDE of at least a 2 mile radius from the building), so if I go there ONLY TO SEE THE SHOW, everything should be FINE, just like it is EVERY SINGLE TIME we or THOUSANDS of other people go. I have stressed many times that there is no immediate danger whatsoever, it's just that their minds pick up the most unlikely scenarios ever & hold them as the reasons for why I cannot go.

Second of all, I'm 16 years old. I have my driver's license, I have a car. Yet, I cannot drive my car (their rules) unless one of them is in the passenger seat. If they will not even let me drive to school, it is completely out of the question to ask them to let me drive myself 45 minutes away. Okay, so how about they drive me? Well, they both work on the Tuesday/Wednesday Cirque is coming to town. Tuesday/Wednesday are also in the middle of the week, meaning they'll be school nights/days. OKAY, but my schedule is completely clear for those two days & I'm absolutely sure there will be no heavy workload. Show starts at 8, I get home at 3. BAM, I've got 5 hours to finish whatever, which is plenty of time. Plus, I've gone to various band performances where I have returned after midnight on a school night...so that doesn't make any sense either - I go to sleep around 12-1 every night anyway. I wouldn't be going alone at all - I've got friends who want to go & my brother and sister are always captivated by Mike, so that's not an issue either.

They've given me more reasons & have managed to tie religion (their chief reason) into the argument as well. BUT they all sound equally bogus. I understand their concern for my safety, but THEY KNOW & I KNOW that they are exaggerating a NON-ISSUE & turning it into an ISSUE just to prevent me from going. Oh & one one more thing. They basically detest my love for Michael Jackson. They're tired of my "obsession" with him. Yes, they've bought me almost anything MJ-related I have ever asked for, but now they won't. They want me to "move on". They say enough is enough. They think he has distracted me from my studies (which he has kinda, I mean I should be doing homework right now, but you know WHAT? Besides the fact that Michael resides in my head 24/7, I've gotta 4.35 GPA at the moment, so I see no argument there!).

All possibilities of me going to Cirque have pretty much ended. I know the answer is no, it'll always be no (to this). They're wonderful parents, they've always given me what I've wanted, and they've let their love spoil me (and my siblings)...which is probably why I'm taking this so hard, because I hardly ever get a "no" from them when I ask them for something. Which is really quite a pity, because out of everything I've ever asked for, this probably ranks in the top 3 of "I REALLY WANT IT". I know I have pretty much exhausted this discussion with them & do not want to piss them off any further. I've basically been asking them for this since March of 2011, and although they were more open to letting me go back then, they've been pretty consistent in saying NO from Fall 2011 to now. I don't expect a miracle to happen either. If it was to happen, it would have happened by now. I entered a local contest that was giving away 7 PAIRS of tickets. I entered every single day for 2 weeks. Nothing. Going without telling them or behind their backs is completely out of the question. They'd never trust me again.

Now I'm just at the final stage of convincing myself that it isn't such a big deal & that I won't miss out on much for not going. So far, I'm failing miserably. I mean his own kids, his own family, his friends, his fans from all around the world watched this VERY show...IT MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING COMPLETELY AMAZING AND OUT OF THIS WORLD Aaaaaaaaaand ooohhhh here I go again. Ughh...see, I can't do this. :(

I know this is probably hard to connect with considering most of you all are adults...but I'd be grateful to anyone who can make me feel better about this stupid & unnecessary mess. On top of all this, I've been feeling really down/depressed about Michael lately. It's a different kind of sadness...not so much about missing him, but more about feeling sorry for him & the horrid trials and tribulations he had to go through. I keep thinking of his life as a tragedy & a sad story with a sad ending...and I know there's probably something wrong with that. Ugh Michael, why do you always have to exhaust some part of me? I'm tired. I want to feel happy when I think of you, but I can't.

Guys, after reading these two posts of mine, you'll probably never believe this...BUT THE IMPOSSIBLE ACTUALLY HAPPENED! I GOT TO GO!!!! I GOT TO GO TO THE SHOW!!! (I've been wanting to write this post up for a while now but my crazy schedule has been getting in the way; I wish I would have written this on the night that I got back from watching it because everything would still be fresh. It's been a few weeks now...buttttt who cares because I GOT TO GO!!!).

So yeah, on the VERY LAST DAY that Cirque was going to perform in our city, (and after days/weeks/months of doing everything I could possibly do), I went up to my dad in this "hey, what the heck" sorta attitude, not really expecting much, and asked him (for the hundredth time) if I could go...and I don't know why he waited until the very last moment to do this...but he said YES. HE SAID YES. I'm pretty sure I cried. I really thought he was never going to change his answer. BUT HE DID! What surprised me even more was that instead of buying just two tickets (for me & and a friend, or for me & him), he bought a ticket for EVERYONE IN OUR FAMILY (It was crazy...I thought I was dreaming). If I tried to describe my excitement in words, I'd fall short, so I'm not even gonna try. Soooo let's fast-forward to what I thought about the show.

IT WAS AWESOME!! We didn't get amazing seats (since there were so many of us), but they were decent enough to allow us to see everything. The show was sort of slow in the beginning, but soon it was just all over the place! I didn't really understand what was going on (as in the story/plot), but it was all very fascinating to watch. I read about some sort of a "fat Michael Jackson impersonator" in previous reviews, but he was not part of the show that we watched (did they remove him or did he never exist?). Oh, and was that a real monkey?! Because he was REALLY good! I loved the They Don't Care About Us sequence; it felt like it came out of This Is It. Out of the whole show, the only part that I didn't really approve of was the whole Dangerous/Smooth Criminal act where one of the dancers spontaneously stripped and got onto a pole; I honestly wouldn't have minded this if I was watching the show ALONE, but since there was family with me, which also included kids, I did get a little uncomfortable (which, oddly enough, caused me to lose focus out of embarrassment & not really grasp what was going on). Because of that, I felt like I sort of "missed" that part of the show; I was too worried about what the people I came with were thinking...which was silly because none of them mentioned anything about it after we left. But other than that, I LOVED IT, and we all LOVED IT. The atmosphere was great. There were so many fans there (and it just feels more special when you're at a LOCAL venue because you think, "wow, look at all these MJ fans that live near me"). I smiled, laughed & sung along throughout the entire show, but when they played Will You Be There, I couldn't hold the tears in. His voice was so clear, so loud, so PRESENT...it really felt like he was there. When they played Man in the Mirror (a song that I usually find hard to listen to), I was surprised by how uplifting it was. We were all on our feet, clapping, cheering and singing along. It was really the perfect way to end the show.

I'm so thankful & happy that I got to go! :D

respect77

19-03-2012, 04:20 PM

^^ Yay! I'm very happy for you, ForeverKOP!

bluesky

19-03-2012, 04:21 PM

^^ I am happy that you got to go and enjoyed it! :)

bluesky

19-03-2012, 04:23 PM

The top 5 concert tours, ranked by average box- office gross per city. Includes the average ticket

The top 5 concert tours, ranked by average box- office gross per city. Includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week’s ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.
v (1) Cirque du Soleil — “Michael Jackson, The Immortal”: $2,256,258; $109.63.
v (3) Cirque du Soleil — “Dralion”: $1,082,832; $63.41.
v (4) Cirque du Soleil — “Quidam”: $964,552; $65.33.
v (5) Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band: $785,284; $72.04.
v (6) Trans-Siberian Orchestra: $669,328; $53.05.

http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/mar/19/the-top--concert-tours-ranked-by-average/

PurpleParrot

19-03-2012, 05:57 PM

Rocking the Bell Center in Montreal tomorrow!!!

Have fun Montreal!!!

ilmjj

20-03-2012, 01:43 AM

ForeverKOP I am so happy you got to go see the show! When I saw it in October the fan fanatic that looked like fat Albert was there but when I saw the show this last weekend he was gone. As a matter of fact the whole opening sequence was different than before. No guys carrying a boom box. The 5 super fans just came out Michaeling!!! I loved it!
I am sorry you didn't think the pole dancer was as amazing as I did. Didn't Michael have something like that planned for TII? Just from watching the rehearsal she was doing things on a pole I didn't know were possible. Wasn't she going to be doing something like that on a bed frame during "Dirty Diana"?
I was jealous cause I would kill for a body like that!

Marissa87

20-03-2012, 02:59 AM

Rocking the Bell Center in Montreal tomorrow!!!

Have fun Montreal!!!

I'LL BE THERE! Eeeeeek. I can't even contain myself right now.

*hyperventilates*

Erikmjfan

20-03-2012, 11:07 AM

http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/Cirque+Soleil+moonwalks+into+town/6326812/story.html

MONTREAL - Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour is back in town, having played Charlotte, N.C., and

Milwaukee, Wis., last week. In Charlotte, the tour marked its 100th show.

This bombastic tribute to the Jackson boy who refused to grow up premiered here last October, to mixed reviews, then headed out on its North American tour while still struggling with technical glitches. Since then it has played to more than 700,00 spectators in 35 cities, including Las Vegas, where a second, permanent Michael Jackson Cirque is to be launched next year.

Now, according to the show’s publicist, Maxime Charbonneau, and its artistic director, Tara Young, Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour is a leaner, smoother show – that the Cirque doesn’t want scrutinized a second time by Montreal critics. (No Montreal media has been invited this time, not even this writer, who has been following the Cirque for more than 25 years. For a company that still has tickets to sell for its long-advertised three-day Montreal run, this is unusual protocol.)

When I spoke to Charbonneau in North Carolina last week, he was gearing up for this next relocation. Performers and staff usually travel by chartered plane, he explained, while the rest of the production team travel (and sleep) on the buses (from Charlotte to Milwaukee was a 16-hour haul and from there to Montreal was about the same). It now takes 35 trucks to move the show, plus eight buses. When you add the number of drivers to the full time cast and crew of 175, that means it takes more than 220 people to bring what’s now the largest touring show in North America, from one city to the next.

“This rock ’n’ roll pace is quite something,” Charbonneau said. (He was due to arrive in Montreal, along with the cast, at about 3 a.m. Sunday morning.)

Reported cancellations of performances during the tour (in Oregon, for example) were caused by adjustments regarding travel time, Charbonneau explained. Now, the takedown time of the show has been reduced to about 3.5 hours and the load-in and set-up only takes about 11 and a half hours.

To simplify things, the set has been scaled down and some lighting apparatus eliminated, allowing them to cut back by six trucks (having started out with 41).

One thing that has been cut was the top of the giant “Giving Tree,” designed by Mark Fisher, for technical and safety reasons. It has been replaced by a screen projection of same. And the Michael Jackson child puppet created by Michael Curry, which initially soared over the audience in a basket to the poignant tune of Have You Seen My Childhood?, has been temporarily grounded. The weight of it made controlling the flight of the basket too difficult.

As for the music, one song has been cut (Gone Too Soon), and at least one other shortened (Ben, the rat song, to about 40 seconds from two and a half minutes).

Charbonneau, who has been with the company for five years, said he has never seen such a culturally diverse audience at a Cirque show. A large number of them are Jackson fans, who are highly enthusiastic. Then there are the Cirque fans, whom, he admitted, often say they’d prefer more acrobatics and circus numbers.

Young, 43, a former Albertan who once worked with Garth Drabinsky on his Broadway shows, is the woman in charge of it all.

“It was my role to oversee all the changes,” she said, “And to maintain the artistic integrity of the show.”

Listening to her team was important, she said.

“When you hire good people, they’re the ones who let you know.”

After 25 years of working Broadway shows, she sees this gig as an opportunity of a lifetime.

“It’s not only an honour to work on Michael Jackson’s material. But I get to work with musicians who worked with him for 20 years.”

Nothing is simple about this mega-spectacle, on the technical side. But after travelling about 80,000 kilometres together on the road, “We have grown tighter and stronger as a unit and our vision has grown much clearer,” she said, adding that the show “is tighter, cleaner, the focus is better.” It now runs two hours, including a 20- minute intermission.

This week, $5 of any ticket purchased for this show, or several other Cirque touring shows or any of the Vegas shows, will go to the One Drop charitable foundation.

The MJ Immortal World Tour’s European tour will begin Oct. 13 in London, at the 02 Arena where Jackson planned to launch his final This Is It tour.

Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour plays Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the Bell Centre. It will be returning to Montreal July 6-7. Tickets $68.50 to $196.50. Quebec City dates, March

Erikmjfan

20-03-2012, 11:15 AM

http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/arts/143048196.html

Despite being equipped with dazzling dancers, exceptional acrobats, stupendous stage design, creative choreography, ace live musicians, a budget in the tens of millions and the vision of the world’s greatest live show producer, there was absolutely no way Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour” at the Bradley Center Friday evening could substitute for the absence of one very gifted artist.

But envisioned by writer-director Jamie King, former Jackson dancer, Madonna’s creative director and a Verona, Wis., native, “Immortal” often channels Jackson’s impeccable showmanship and vivid personality, if not always his magic.

Wisely eschewing a standard narrative or straight impersonation (aside from a cheap Jackson 5 tribute with lip-synching dancers in oversized afros), “Immortal” builds often impressive set pieces around signature visual motifs and themes from Jackson’s life and career—from the classic gangster set-up for “Smooth Criminal” to the significance of conservationism celebrated in “Earth Song.”
Even with the frequent appearance of a bedazzled, dancing mime (Salah Benlemqawanssa) and Jackson’s singing voice stringing scenes together, the show nevertheless feels disjointed, never reaching the emotional heights of more focused, cathartic Cirque productions like “Quidam” and “KA.”

And it’s hard to imagine Jackson giving a few creative decisions his approval. “Beat It” is nearly ruined by dancers in oversized penny loafers and sequined glove and scantily clad women shredding on guitar and cello atop a conveyer belt. And the contraptions dancers are fastened to for “Dancing Machine” look like torture devices from a “Saw” movie.

But there are many more stunning moments than stupefying ones. Anna Melnikova’s eye-popping pole dance for “Dangerous” is a breathless bit of beauty, while Luba Kazantseva and Igor Zaripov’s gorgeous aerial ballet is perfectly accompanied by “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.”

LED costumes magically transform suspended acrobats into free-flowing constellations for “Human Nature,” and a tumbling act for “Scream” is a flawless feat.

Seeing the “They Don’t Care About Us” number originally choreographed for the ill-fated “This is It” tour is a thrill, as is the really big finish, a breathless four-song medley that includes “Billie Jean” interpreted by striking silhouetted dancers in LED costumes, including exceptional one-legged performer Jean Sok.

But Friday night’s most moving moment came when an image of Jackson appeared like a specter on a massive moving curtain for the finish of “Will You Be There.” It was a bittersweet reminder that Jackson’s music and legacy may continue to inspire, but that not even a Cirque-assembled army of top talent could completely replicate his gifts.

PurpleParrot

21-03-2012, 02:50 PM

3 days 3 days.... geez I'm excited to see it again!!!

Petrarose

22-03-2012, 01:30 AM

[COLOR=#222222]Guys, after reading these two posts of mine, you'll probably never believe this...BUT THE IMPOSSIBLE ACTUALLY HAPPENED! I GOT TO GO!!!! I GOT TO GO TO THE SHOW!!!

Forever good for you. I am so happy for you and glad your whole family was able to attend. I wonder what changed your dad's mind? There was no Michael impersonator in the show. People were probably talking about the fat guy. There were about 3 guys who came out on stage initially, maybe implying they were looking for Michael. It reminded me of Dorothy walking on the yellow brick road with her friends looking for the wizard of Ox. I think this was the idea, but who knows. One thing Branca said is that he did not want any Michael impersonators--thank God!!!! Also, there is no real story yet for the tour, but for the residency the show will be streamlined and then we will see a different picture.

Join the happy crowd!!!!!

Marissa87

22-03-2012, 01:41 AM

Caught the show in Montreal last night. That was honestly one of the coolest, most entertaining shows I have ever seen. I was tearing up the entire way through but at the same time I was squealing with excitement. So many emotions.

I honestly can't name a sing I liked best, they were all epic. TDCAU blew my mind, human nature blew my mind, everything...just everything.

Aside from the music my favorite part was the atmosphere. The random 'we love you michael's and the chanting, just awesome. I stood up with all the people in my section for the entire last few numbers of the show, dancing and singing along and clapping....

Also the whole show is very sobering to the fact that Michael is no longer with us. I just remember a few moments during the show getting so excited over the dancing the whole production and then thinking - wow, this is it. This is as good as it is going to get. Forever.

I mean of course the show is worth every penny but the feeling of loss is definitely heightened at an event like this.

StellaJackson

22-03-2012, 01:43 AM

Caught the show in Montreal last night. That was honestly one of the coolest, most entertaining shows I have ever seen. I was tearing up the entire way through but at the same time I was squealing with excitement. So many emotions.

I honestly can't name a sing I liked best, they were all epic. TDCAU blew my mind, human nature blew my mind, everything...just everything.

I cannot wait to see it with you guys! I saw it with my mom which was cool but seeing it with people who I know will feel as passionate about it as I do...it'll be great.

Aside from the music my favorite part was the atmosphere. The random 'we love you michael's and the chanting, just awesome. I stood up with all the people in my section for the entire last few numbers of the show, dancing and singing along and clapping....

Also the whole show is very sobering to the fact that Michael is no longer with us. I just remember a few moments during the show getting so excited over the dancing the whole production and then thinking - wow, this is it. This is as good as it is going to get. Forever.

I mean of course the show is worth every penny but the feeling of loss is definitely heightened at an event like this.

Did they have the top half of the giving tree back or was it just the trunk?

Marissa87

22-03-2012, 02:12 AM

Did they have the top half of the giving tree back or was it just the trunk?

Totally forgot about that! No, no Giving Tree... :(

StellaJackson

22-03-2012, 02:18 AM

Totally forgot about that! No, no Giving Tree... :(

So just the bottom trunk part?

Marissa87

22-03-2012, 02:21 AM

So just the bottom trunk part?

Ya. Just the stump.

Laura.L.

22-03-2012, 04:46 PM

Guys, after reading these two posts of mine, you'll probably never believe this...BUT THE IMPOSSIBLE ACTUALLY HAPPENED! I GOT TO GO!!!! I GOT TO GO TO THE SHOW!!!

I'm very happy for you!!:sarmoti :jump1:

Petrarose

22-03-2012, 11:20 PM

It seems few have been able to see the giving tree, pity.

Marissa87

23-03-2012, 03:43 AM

It seems few have been able to see the giving tree, pity.

I was so overwhelmed that I didn't even realise it was missing! Haha, But I can't be disappointed. The whole experience was too amazing to think about a missing prop, even if it was the famous giving tree.

Memefan

23-03-2012, 08:43 AM

It seems few have been able to see the giving tree, pity.

I was lucky... I saw it twice.

I have to admit, the show felt different without it. I wish they could find a way to replace it, even though CGI.

I will see the show again (no idea which city), and hopefully, it won't feel as strange without the tree top as in Vegas

Arklove

23-03-2012, 01:07 PM

I was so overwhelmed that I didn't even realise it was missing! Haha, But I can't be disappointed. The whole experience was too amazing to think about a missing prop, even if it was the famous giving tree.

Completely agree with this :D I'm the same :)

PurpleParrot

23-03-2012, 01:20 PM

I saw it 3 times with the giving tree, but I don't think I'll miss it, I'll just enjoy the show, the changes and my entire evening with cast and fans! :)

TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!! Yyyaaayyy So excited!

http://youtu.be/h-LbvFckptY

Marissa87

23-03-2012, 02:41 PM

my entire evening with cast and fans!

Wasn't the fan atmosphere amazing though?!?! The random cheers of "We love you, Michael". Personally, I don't have any friends in my everyday life who like Michael like I do - so to be at Cirque and see other fans cheering and singing along and dancing and swarming to buy merchandise. It was euphoric. Ugh, I loved it.

FvrAngel

23-03-2012, 07:28 PM

Can someone plz tell me where are the best seats to view the show I really want to be able to see everything. Plz :)

SimplyMagic

23-03-2012, 07:54 PM

Can someone plz tell me where are the best seats to view the show I really want to be able to see everything. Plz :)

I recommend anything from the 5 to 7 o'clock position no matter how far back or up you go. When I went (Feb.11) my seat was at the 3 o'clock position and there was so much going on.........on the screen, air, stage, etc., you just can't take it all from the side. :no:

I'll get to see the show again on June 23, 2012, but since I bought this ticket a long time ago, my seat is at the 9 o'clock position. :girl_tantrum:

FvrAngel

23-03-2012, 08:13 PM

^Thankyou so much. I cant wait to go!!! :D

Petrarose

26-03-2012, 01:00 AM

I was lucky... I saw it twice.

I have to admit, the show felt difference without it. I wish they could find a way to replace it, even though CGI.

I will see the show again (no idea which city), and hopefully, it won't feel as strange without the tree top as in Vegas

Oh lucky you and lucky Canadians!!!!!

Marissa87

26-03-2012, 04:25 AM

I recommend anything from the 5 to 7 o'clock position no matter how far back or up you go. When I went (Feb.11) my seat was at the 3 o'clock position and there was so much going on.........on the screen, air, stage, etc., you just can't take it all from the side. :no:

I'll get to see the show again on June 23, 2012, but since I bought this ticket a long time ago, my seat is at the 9 o'clock position. :girl_tantrum:

I second the between 5 and 7 oclock seats. I was second level, second row at about the 7 oclock position and it was great.

Desired.

26-03-2012, 04:33 AM

For those of you who already went, how long was the show? Two hours?

SimplyMagic

26-03-2012, 10:20 PM

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20120326/NJENT05/303260023/-Immortal-Michael-Jackson-area-venues-starting-Friday

'Immortal' Michael Jackson at area venues starting Friday

Cirque Du Soleil channels Michael Jackson in new production

<fb:like class=" fb_edge_widget_with_comment fb_iframe_widget" width="429" action="recommend" show_faces="false" send="false" font="" href="" ref="artrectop"></fb:like>3:49 PM, Mar. 26, 2012 |

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S MICHAEL JACKSON: THE IMMORTAL WORLD TOUR

When: 8 p.m. March 30 and 31 and 4 p.m. April 1
Where: Prudential Center, 165 Mulberry St., Newark
Tickets: $53-$253, available through ticketmaster.com.
ALSO: April 3-5 at Madison Square Garden, New York City and April 10-11 at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia

http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/SimplyMagic7/bilde.jpg

To say that the new Cirque du Soleil touring show “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour” is a huge undertaking would be an understatement.
The show bopping its way across the country with upcoming stops at area venues including Newark’s Prudential Center (March 30-April 1), New York City’s Madison Square Garden (April 3-5), and Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center (April 10-11) brings with it high expectations.
First of all, it’s a Cirque du Soleil production; almost everything the Montreal-based entertainment company touches – from the circus world it’s redefined to Las Vegas where its shows dominate the Strip – has turned to gold.
And this show is all about Michael Jackson, who whatever you may say about his unconventional life and tragic death in 2009 at age 50, was universally recognized as a consummate showman who redefined pop music and helped create the music video genre.
Add to all of that the reality that this is a touring arena show with 65 performers and 35 trucks of equipment, sets and costumes and you’ve got one big show.
Ultimate opportunity

But Tara Young, the woman charged with making sure the magic happens like clockwork for each performance, said she doesn’t look at “Immortal” as a challenge. Instead, Young, the show’s artistic director, said she sees “Immortal” as the ultimate opportunity.
“We have some of the best people in the business from across the world to bring this show together. I see this show as an opportunity every day to make a difference and to raise the bar every single day,” Young said. “Michael Jackson did that – raised the bar – in his concert tours all of the time that is truly what I want to continue doing to honor him and his life.”
The creative team that put “Immortal” together was led by the show’s writer and director Jamie King, the mastermind behind tours and concert appearances by Madonna, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Celine Dion and Avril Lavigne.
“Immortal” is an ultimate Cirque du Soleil-Michael Jackson mashup.
Audiences will be surrounded by Cirque’s trademark quirky artistic sensibility complete with all the high-tech imagery and high flying, gravity defying, body contorting type of performers that are Cirque du Soleil’s bread and butter. Informing all of this is the iconic Jackson imagery – from glitter gloves and gangster fedoras to the infamous loafers and white socks – plus the choreography and music made famous by the entertainer known as the King of Pop, including actual tracks of Jackson’s voice backed by a live band that includes musicians who worked with Jackson.
Not just another Cirque show

“I have a team who all have the same vision – honoring Michael Jackson and celebrating his life. That’s why I say it’s an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to share that message,” Young said. “We have a very strong foundation and an authenticity and that really helps us and makes it a very rich experience. It’s not a one-dimensional experience at all.
“This is a feast of excellence from every single avenue … whether that’s through the choreography that you recognize or the trapeze artists in the air or the musicians or the technological elements. The video footage alone in our show is groundbreaking. It’s all so beautiful to watch.”
Young said the show deliberately avoided having someone actually impersonate Jackson. But the Cirque tradition of having the show follow a central character will, in this case, be seen through dancer-narrator Salah Benlemqawanssa, a French hip-hop dancer.
But Young said that’s really where comparisons to other Cirque shows ends.
“It’s not just another Cirque show. It’s really more of a rock concert combined with Cirque du Soleil. If you’re expecting to see a Cirque du Soleil show to Michael Jackson music, it’s more than that. It’s not just putting his music videos onstage,” she said. “It’s a rock concert experience in an arena. People get up and dance, they’re singing the songs, there’s a lot of emotion in the audience. It touches people in different ways.

PurpleParrot

26-03-2012, 10:49 PM

Trying to come down from my Immortal weekend, went to my 4th and 5th show and again, because of an adorable Immortal, I was able with my friends to go backstage, visit the arena, under the stage and even went on the scene after everybody left, walked all around it.

Then went to the hotel bar where Jonathan Moffett and many others of the cast (like adorable Fred White) were having a break, stayed with them until 1am, sigh, why do we need to sleep, why does it have to end :)

As for the show, many changes since October, of course no Giving Tree, but some numbers have changed, Ben is way shorter and much smaller with only some people on the B scene instead of having also people, tambourines and animals metallic structures on the A scene.

There is now a 20 min break in the middle, which wasn't there before. In Earth Song, the mime is no longer struggling with the suspended tree, I thought this part was so touching, I'm kinda sad it was removed. The lightning changed in You Are Not Alone intermission, The J5 number is now at the beginning which is way more logic and Bubbles, as good as he can be, doesn't show up at any moment, he comes 2 times and it's just enough. IJCSLY changed, aerials added, great, and we now have the REAL pole dancer, Felix and she is UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING! The backup pole dancer was very good, but this girl is really something, brilliant!

Now have to wait 2 months before they come back :)
sigh... Waking up this morning to go to work was..... annoying hahahaha :)

Huge Thanks to all those beautiful and adorable people working in this show!

Erikmjfan

27-03-2012, 08:41 PM

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/143974986.html

We saw the funeral. We saw the posthumous movie "This Is It." We saw the manslaughter trial of his doctor.

The King of Pop may be dead, but he is coming to an arena near you. "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour" is the No. 1 tour in the music business right now, grossing more than $1 million a night -- doing bigger business per city than current outings by Kanye West/Jay-Z, Bob Seger and Brad Paisley.

Even though it's sort of a Michael Jackson concert without Michael, what Cirque du Soleil's "Immortal" -- which lands at Target Center Tuesday and Wednesday -- underscores is that Jackson remains immensely popular nearly three years after he overdosed.

"He was strangely reborn as a pop star with his death," said filmmaker and culture critic Nelson George, who has written two books on Jackson.

The pop icon certainly has been boffo box office of late. In October, when Forbes last calculated the income of dead musicians, Jackson was the runaway winner, having grossed $170 million in the previous year. Elvis Presley ranked second with a mere $55 million.

Since Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, at age 50, his estate has pulled in more than half a billion dollars, including $60 million upfront for the movie "This Is It" and $250 million for a 10-project record deal with Sony, according to Forbes.

"Michael is Elvis," said George. "In terms of iconography of cult Americana, Michael is replacing Elvis in so many different ways."

For one, Jackson is taking over for Presley in Las Vegas, where the rock 'n' roll king reigned for decades. Cirque du Soleil has announced the December closing of its "Viva Elvis" show after less than two years in Vegas and the opening of a resident production of "Immortal" there in 2013 to complement its Beatles' show, "Love," which opened in 2006, and the touring "Immortal."

Because he didn't tour in the United States between 1988 and his death, "Immortal" has become something of a surrogate Jackson tour.

"You cannot ever replace Michael," said Jackie Jackson, second oldest member of the Jackson 5.

But Jackie said that his brother always wanted to work with Cirque du Soleil so, of course, the Jacksons cooperated on "Immortal," which features Michael's voice on more than three dozen songs.

Directed and written by Jamie King -- Madonna's longtime collaborator -- the show doesn't follow a story arc, per se, but rather jumps around chronologically and features images of Jackson's career from his bejeweled glove to Bubbles the chimpanzee.

Big abroad

The 1990s were not kind to Jackson, especially in the States. To be sure, he scored hits, including the chart-topping "You Are Not Alone" and "Scream," a duet with his sister, Janet. But he was rocked by negative headlines, including allegations of child molestation, that made him a concert attraction non grata.

Except abroad. On two separate tours -- to support the "Dangerous" and "HIStory" albums -- he performed in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, South America and Mexico. The only U.S. venue was Hawaii. All the concerts were sold out.

"He's truly a global icon," said choreographer/dancer Travis Payne, who worked with Jackson from 1992 to 2009 and collaborated on "Immortal." "You could just feel a definite tonal shift in the way that he was perceived and received in all parts of the world."

After experiencing teen stardom with the Jackson 5 in the 1970s, Jackson became a solo sensation in the 1980s, peaking with "Thriller," which became the best-selling album of all time (29 million sold in the States alone) and led to a then-record seven Grammys.

"He came of age artistically at a time when his art could be presented in a multimedia way," said Joe Vogel, a Huffington Post critic who wrote the 2011 book "Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson."

"We don't just hear the songs. There's the visual representation. There's the music videos. There's the dances. There's the iconography. There's the costumes. There's this whole web of things that we associate with Michael Jackson. People can relate to it in all those different ways. It's very multi-sensory."

It wasn't just those big-budget music videos with wow-inducing visual effects that hooked fans. While Elvis rocked and the Beatles made us sing along, Michael made us dance. He may have recorded more enduring dance tunes -- from the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" to his own "Billie Jean" -- than any other pop figure.

Emil Campbell, who used to be a Jackson impersonator in a Las Vegas revue, still turns to Jackson songs with his popular Twin Cities show band the R Factor whenever he wants to be starting something on the dance floor.

"His music just makes you want to move," said Campbell, who has been performing Michael's music professionally for four decades.

But Michael didn't just do dance tunes.

"There's a depth and a range to his catalog," Vogel said. "He has ballads, he has protest songs, he has anthems, he has dance music. He did gospel, he did R&B, he did pop, he did hip-hop. It's not a traditional pop catalog where all the songs are love and relationships."

As inventive as his music may have been rhythmically and sonically, it was clearly mainstream and had mass appeal.

"It was clean and wholesome. It wasn't nasty music," explained singer Campbell. "You didn't have to worry about who is in the room. Your grandma could listen to it."

But what may have been the strongest magnet for Michael was the way he made you feel when he was onstage.

"He was the ultimate performer," said superfan Emily Clifford, 24, of Minneapolis, who regularly wears leather jackets like those her idol wore in the "Thriller" video and on the cover of his album "Bad."

Yes, he tried to be bad, but, as Clifford puts it, "he had the ability to have androgynous sex appeal that was both innocent and addicting." With that image, that dancing and 16 No. 1 songs, he became a demographic dream -- the first pop star to truly transcend race, genres, generations and geography in his appeal.

Dark side disappeared

Death obliterated the dark side of Jackson -- the child-abuse allegations, the plastic-surgery misadventures, the curious marriages -- and the masses focused on why we appreciated him in first place.

Released four months after his death, "This Is It" -- the highest-grossing concert movie ever, with $261 million -- was a crucial component in restoring his reputation. After years of his reclusiveness, the documentary showed the world what few had seen before: Michael as a person, his humanity and creativity in full view of the cameras. He taught moves to dancers, shared ideas with the show's director and created sounds with his mouth and fingers to instruct his musicians.

"He'd take as much time as was needed to get it right," choreographer Payne said of Jackson's creative process. "It was always about trying to top the last idea. That didn't necessarily mean bigger. It definitely meant different. It needed to have some surprise element. He wanted [the dancing] to be entertaining enough that it catches people's eye but simple enough that they want to get up and do it."

The movie chronicles the preparation for Jackson's ballyhooed comeback This Is It show -- 50 nights at London's O2 Arena in 2009-10 -- that never happened. Thus, for younger fans who never experienced Jackson in concert, this "Immortal" tour is it.

Matt Webster, 28, of Minneapolis, has a $175 ticket for Target Center. Actually, he had plans to see Jackson live for the first time in London three years ago.

"He was the coolest guy in the whole world," said Webster, who, at age 5 or 6, started break-dancing to his parents' cassette of the "Bad" album. "I was looking at paying $800 to scalpers for a This Is It ticket in London. Now, if you can't have Michael, you might as well have the most grandiose tribute to him. Cirque du Soleil is the one thing that can do him justice. I'm super-pumped."

King vs. King
Jackson's estate out-earned Elvis' by more than 3 to 1 last year, according to Forbes magazine, which ranked the top earners among dead pop stars:
1. Michael Jackson: $170 million

2. Elvis Presley: $55 million

3. John Lennon:$12 million

4. Jimi Hendrix: $7 million

5. George Harrison: $6 million

The Brown Gangsta

27-03-2012, 09:10 PM

kurumi_jackson

28-03-2012, 11:21 AM

You guys a lucky person, you can watch it live in your country when i just can wacth it in the internet -_-. btw, i am a new member. Nice too meet you all. just keep michaeling ;). Thanks

bluesky

29-03-2012, 06:22 PM

TV alerts - Good Morning America friday

Gianinni Semedo ‏ <s>@</s>Gianinni1 (https://twitter.com/#%21/Gianinni1)

On the airplane! Flying to New Jersey! Up up and awayyyyyy! MJ Immortal World Tour - also performing Friday on Times Square in NY!!!

Loukas Kosmidis ‏ <s>@</s>LoukasKosmidis (https://twitter.com/#%21/LoukasKosmidis)

Performing on GMA on the 29th of march ;) NY here I come ;) MJ immortal world tour! http://instagr.am/p/IuXb8Kkuvt/ (http://t.co/UvMi0Ej1)

suzynyc

29-03-2012, 11:06 PM

Oh no, I knew this day would come. The MSG shows are next week and I'm regretting not getting a ticket. I'm debating whether it will be worth it to get a promenade seat (which is the best seats available, apparently). But I really don't want to miss this show. So who here has tickets for MSG and where are your seats?

bluesky

30-03-2012, 03:17 AM

Cirque du Soleil ‏ <s>@</s>Cirque (https://twitter.com/#%21/Cirque)

Tomorrow morning, March 30, artists from <s>#</s>mjIMMORTAL (https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23mjIMMORTAL) will be performing "Black or White" during <s>@</s>GMA (https://twitter.com/GMA) on <s>@</s>ABC (https://twitter.com/ABC). Check local listings for times

bluesky

30-03-2012, 07:19 PM

bluesky

30-03-2012, 07:29 PM

Thanks to <s>@</s>Cirque (https://twitter.com/Cirque) & <s>@</s>GMA (https://twitter.com/GMA) we loved watching <s>#</s>MJImmortal (https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23MJImmortal) in TimesSquare http://pic.twitter.com/JFIrXoJI (http://t.co/JFIrXoJI)

https://p.twimg.com/ApPXsLBCEAAPBoR.jpg (http://twitter.com/Mellie4Justice/status/185729163519463424/photo/1/large)

<s>#</s>MJImmortal (https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23MJImmortal) <s>@</s>Cirque (https://twitter.com/Cirque) in times square ...MJ fans NY http://pic.twitter.com/yf6cEpcR (http://t.co/yf6cEpcR)

https://p.twimg.com/ApPMPfUCAAIktJz.jpg (http://twitter.com/Mellie4Justice/status/185716576123748353/photo/1/large)

jaydom7

30-03-2012, 07:53 PM

Good Morning America??

MJsBollywoodGirl7

31-03-2012, 04:21 AM

I just saw a commercial for that Cirque thing tonight. As I was watching my local news. So it is coming to my area. And you know what I really don't care about it. Just seeing the commercial for it really hurt. I am crying now just by thinking about it. Because I see it as another stupid MJ tribute. That I will never waste my time of seeing.

PurpleParrot

31-03-2012, 04:04 PM

Your choice :)

I'm very happy the show is doing that good, the people who are doing a very good work and I enjoy seeing the show, could see it over and over. I'll go again when they cme back here :)

loveforever

31-03-2012, 05:50 PM

amazing!GMA performance
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/cirque-du-soleil-flips-michael-jackson-gma-16039621?tab=9482931&section=1206836&playlist=2898870 (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/cirque-du-soleil-flips-michael-jackson-gma-16039621?tab=9482931&section=1206836&playlist=2898870)

SimplyMagic

31-03-2012, 05:53 PM

marebear

31-03-2012, 09:38 PM

I am glad it got promoted on GMA. If someone doesn't want to see the show then it's up to them. It is a tribute to Michael but it is a classy tribute. It doesn't replace him at all. Nothing will. I never saw a cirque de soleil show before but heard it about it. So when i went I was very happy. I laughed and cried and wanted to dance. You see Michael's messages in the show. I think it's helping people appreciate Michael more even though I will always feel he should have gotten that when he was still here. It is very respectful show that celebrates Michael.

bluesky

01-04-2012, 04:37 AM

Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil (https://www.facebook.com/mjimmortaltour)
March 10 (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=376232602401608&set=a.277498785608324.71073.163439450347592&type=1)

Congratulations to the entire family of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour ! 100th show tonight in Raleigh, North Carolina !!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/p480x480/429558_376232602401608_163439450347592_1257466_299 777568_n.jpg

suzynyc

02-04-2012, 05:11 AM

I did it, bought a ticket for MSG...Tuesday April 3rd, Floor B section! Going with my sister. So who else here is going to the MSG show????

PurpleParrot

02-04-2012, 01:44 PM

Have fun in NY guys! :)

MJsBollywoodGirl7

02-04-2012, 01:56 PM

I disagree. I think it is a wonderful tribute to Michael. :yes:

Well maybe. But your probably not suffering from deep depression from over what had happen to him like I am. Which is the why I said what I said about it.

PurpleParrot

02-04-2012, 07:29 PM

Less than 7 weeks before they come back hahahaha :)
The show changed a lot between October and last week, curious to see if it will have changed in 8 weeks!

ExoticPrincess

02-04-2012, 10:55 PM

Well maybe. But your probably not suffering from deep depression from over what had happen to him like I am. Which is the why I said what I said about it.

In all seriousness, I think at this point, you really need to seek some professional help if you still are in this deep depression as you've stated.

Ashtanga

03-04-2012, 01:12 AM

MJsBollywoodGirl7

03-04-2012, 02:51 AM

In all seriousness, I think at this point, you really need to seek some professional help if you still are in this deep depression as you've stated.

How can I when my mother refuses to get help for my depression. My family could really careless about me and my depression. But that is ok though. Since I am now just learning to live with my depression.

Marissa87

03-04-2012, 03:57 AM

How can I when my mother refuses to get help for my depression. My family could really careless about me and my depression. But that is ok though. Since I am now just learning to live with my depression.

Why do you need your mother to get you help? Are you under 18? If so, I'm sure your school has counsellors.

Have FUN NY fans!!!

MJsBollywoodGirl7

03-04-2012, 04:54 AM

Why do you need your mother to get you help? Are you under 18? If so, I'm sure your school has counsellors.

Have FUN NY fans!!!

I am 32 years old. But the reason I need my mother is because I can't drive. All thanks to my severe learning disabilities and that car accident I was in when I was 16. And I can't use public transportation since I really don't live near any. And believe me I would have gotten help for my depression. If my family didn't have so much hatred towards Michael. Especially my mother who not only defended Dr. Death of what he did to Michael. She also made fun of what had happen to him right in front of me. 2 days after it had happen. And she did it deliberately just to cause me more pain. The only ones where I live that does care about me. Is just me, the people in my Sims games, my stuffed animals, and my teddy bears.

Erikmjfan

03-04-2012, 07:04 AM

NEWARK — The spirit of Michael Jackson may not hover over “Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour,” a spectacular that played the Prudential Center here last weekend and heads to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, but the Jackson estate sure does. It collaborated with Cirque du Soleil, which conceived the Beatles “Love” show in Las Vegas, to create this galumphing sensory assault, presumably a substitute for the Jackson “This Is It” run of shows that never was.

The director of the show, which comprises more than 60 performers and 32 songs (or snippets thereof), is Jamie King, a designer of tours for the likes of Rihanna, and there is a concert ambience. Recordings of Jackson are backed by singers and musicians on the top level of a two-tiered stage. A spoon-shaped extension reaches into the audience, while a translucent scrim shows video images. But it’s a circus atmosphere that prevails. Acrobats, trapeze artists, an aerial pole dancer of sorts, and even a one-legged hoofer, all in costumes sometimes bedecked in LED lights, provide the intermittently lyrical moments.

Jackson-like characters — one in the signature fedora and penny loafers; another in “Bad”-era straps; a gold-suited mime — start this kaleidoscope with a Jackson 5 sequence (highlight: clips from the group’s Saturday-morning cartoon) and an exhilarating “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” seemingly inspired by Broadway’s “Lion King.”

Off the Cirque show breathlessly flies, through a gangster production number for “Smooth Criminal,” a ninja spin on “Scream,” a swipe at the military-industrial complex with “They Don’t Care About Us,” a flag pageant for “Black or White.” And there is cheese: a giant dancing jeweled glove, a surrogate Bubbles the chimp in shirt and overalls.

Needless to say, there’s no hint of Jackson’s tabloid troubles, only superficial takes on the music’s often dark undercurrents. But there is Jackson’s plaintive voice referring to his child stardom. “Have you seen my childhood?” he sings. “It’s been my fate to compensate/For the childhood I’ve never known.”

He probably would have savored this family-friendly extravaganza.

“Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour” will be at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., on Saturday and Sunday; (800) 745-3000, cirquedusoleil.com/MichaelJackson.

http://theater.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/theater/reviews/michael-jackson-the-immortal-world-tour-cirque-du-soleil.html?ref=music

LastTear

03-04-2012, 12:02 PM

I am 32 years old. But the reason I need my mother is because I can't drive. All thanks to my severe learning disabilities and that car accident I was in when I was 16. And I can't use public transportation since I really don't live near any. And believe me I would have gotten help for my depression. If my family didn't have so much hatred towards Michael. Especially my mother who not only defended Dr. Death of what he did to Michael. She also made fun of what had happen to him right in front of me. 2 days after it had happen. And she did it deliberately just to cause me more pain. The only ones where I live that does care about me. Is just me, the people in my Sims games, my stuffed animals, and my teddy bears.

I am sorry to hear that you are still struggling so much, I urge you to do anything that you need to to get to talk to a doctor, if you can then just get in a taxi , or say to your Mum that you really hate how you are feeling (don't mention Michael) but just say you are really down and want to see if the doctor can help, could she please drive you. But only do that if you can go in to talk on your own.

As far as the cirque goes, Michael loved Cirque du Soleil and I think he would be so chuffed that they honour him in this way. The whole event appears to be organised professionally and with honouring Michael in mind, it is also estate approved. So as far as I am concerned this is as good as any tribute is going to get. And I want Michael honoured and remembered in the way that he should be, to get back what Michael was all about and not just those tabloid headlines.

MJsBollywoodGirl7

03-04-2012, 02:53 PM

I am sorry to hear that you are still struggling so much, I urge you to do anything that you need to to get to talk to a doctor, if you can then just get in a taxi , or say to your Mum that you really hate how you are feeling (don't mention Michael) but just say you are really down and want to see if the doctor can help, could she please drive you. But only do that if you can go in to talk on your own.

As far as the cirque goes, Michael loved Cirque du Soleil and I think he would be so chuffed that they honour him in this way. The whole event appears to be organised professionally and with honouring Michael in mind, it is also estate approved. So as far as I am concerned this is as good as any tribute is going to get. And I want Michael honoured and remembered in the way that he should be, to get back what Michael was all about and not just those tabloid headlines.

I had already talk to my doctor and he refused to do anything about it. Even when I told him I have been suicidal 3 times over what had happen to him. And he nor my mother even cared about it. They think of this as nothing but a big joke to them. And my mother already knows how I am feeling. I don't need to tell her it is about Michael. Since she already knows it is about what had happen to him. And if I did she is not going to care about it. But that's ok though since I am learning how to live with my depression. Any way I L.O.V.E. Cirque du Soleil myself. Have ever since I first saw Alegria on tv over 10 years ago. And it has been the only kind of circus I will ever watch now. And I am glad that they are honoring him. But when someone who is suffering from depression they are not going to be interested in anything that can make their depression even worst. Which would explain why I have been unable to watch anything Michael related in almost 2 years. And it has been almost a month since I last listen to him.

LastTear

03-04-2012, 03:37 PM

I had already talk to my doctor and he refused to do anything about it. Even when I told him I have been suicidal 3 times over what had happen to him. And he nor my mother even cared about it. They think of this as nothing but a big joke to them. And my mother already knows how I am feeling. I don't need to tell her it is about Michael. Since she already knows it is about what had happen to him. And if I did she is not going to care about it. But that's ok though since I am learning how to live with my depression. Any way I L.O.V.E. Cirque du Soleil myself. Have ever since I first saw Alegria on tv over 10 years ago. And it has been the only kind of circus I will ever watch now. And I am glad that they are honoring him. But when someone who is suffering from depression they are not going to be interested in anything that can make their depression even worst. Which would explain why I have been unable to watch anything Michael related in almost 2 years. And it has been almost a month since I last listen to him.

I don't want to derail the thread but your doctor sounds very unprofessional and rubbish, he should have referred you even if he thought you were being silly. Do you work? I think you have to try and find something else in your life to focus on, nothing will take away the pain of losing Michael but it helps if you have other things to occupy your mind. Feel free if you want to pm or we could take this to the member support thread.

ExoticPrincess

03-04-2012, 11:10 PM

How can I when my mother refuses to get help for my depression. My family could really careless about me and my depression. But that is ok though. Since I am now just learning to live with my depression.

It is sad what you have been going through, but learning to live with depression as you've stated is simply no way to live your life. I hope that someway somehow, you are able to get the help you need.

billyworld99

04-04-2012, 12:34 AM

@TheSource: Tracy Morgan is repping Michael Jackson hard at his Cirque Du Soleil show. We love his jacket. http://tinyurl.com/7bw8f5s

https://p.twimg.com/ApmEi2oCMAErXkb.jpg

MSGEconcerts: The stunning @CarrieKeagan! #MJImmortal

https://p.twimg.com/ApmEsjBCIAAixT6.jpg

MSGEconcerts: Miss @tyrabanks! #MJImmortal

https://p.twimg.com/ApmGQSiCQAErow5.jpg

Glenn Close at #MJIMMORTAL

https://p.twimg.com/ApmHAs2CIAEeTrm.jpg

MSGEconcerts: What's up @theroots?! #MJImmortal

https://p.twimg.com/ApmIEObCIAAVgO1.jpg

MSG is filling up quick for #MJImmortal The MJ megamix has started to play, curtain is about to go up! http://pic.twitter.com/YD8tK0mT

https://p.twimg.com/ApmIbSUCMAMI8yW.jpg

Ice T & his wife

https://p.twimg.com/ApmJzvhCQAAzgM2.jpg

Stunning #NaomiCampbell #MJImmortal

https://p.twimg.com/ApmKXJfCMAA_MJr.jpg

Petrarose

04-04-2012, 12:58 AM

^ I liked Joe Vogel and a couple of other fan comments in that article but I didnt like the authors own commentary in that piece. What exactly is this "dark side that disappeared"? he never had a dark side and people still talk the same crap about him so none of that slander has disappeared.

But I can't wait to catch the show again this weekend....this time I got sears in the "6 o'clock" position :)

I agree with you^^. The article has a lot of good things, but the writer has to add his own negative/stereotypical comments throughout. This is becoming a patterns in these critical reviews. They always try to say "don't forget we know him for that negative aspect as well."

Purple your experience was truly magical!!!!

Kurumi welcome to the group.

Bollywood there are so many levels in your situation that has to be dealt with and I understand what you are saying.

marebear

04-04-2012, 02:25 AM

Thank you for the pictures above. I am curious which celebrities would like to go to see this.

bluesky

04-04-2012, 04:43 AM

BEHIND THE SCENES

<div style="background-color:#000000;width:520px;"><div style="padding:4px;"><iframe src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:755805/cp~vid%3D755805%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.c om%3A755805" width="512" height="288" frameborder="0"></iframe><p style="text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;padding:4px;margin-top:4px;margin-bottom:0px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;">Get More: <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/latest/music.jhtml" style="color:#439CD8;" target="_blank">Music News</a></p></div></div>

bluesky

04-04-2012, 04:43 AM

MSG! U r amazing! So excited to see <s>@</s>Cirque (https://twitter.com/Cirque) Michael Jackson Immortal Tour!!! Moon walk!!!! http://pic.twitter.com/0y5zSkrs (http://t.co/0y5zSkrs)

https://p.twimg.com/ApmJFC1CMAIZ0_B.jpg (http://twitter.com/AnneV/status/187331579260055553/photo/1/large)

bluesky

04-04-2012, 04:45 AM

Just saw Michael Jackson <s>@</s>cirque (https://twitter.com/cirque) at Madison square garden. Phenomenal! http://pic.twitter.com/ddH6vdnA (http://t.co/ddH6vdnA)

https://p.twimg.com/Apmr5CQCAAA3sDd.jpg (http://twitter.com/vikharrison/status/187369855853395968/photo/1/large)

bluesky

04-04-2012, 04:48 AM

Tracy Morgan is repping Michael Jackson hard at his Cirque Du Soleil show. We love his jacket. http://pic.twitter.com/5wdWoooh (http://t.co/5wdWoooh)

https://p.twimg.com/ApmEi2oCMAErXkb.jpg (http://twitter.com/TheSource/status/187326593818046465/photo/1/large)

bluesky

04-04-2012, 04:49 AM

Jon Myron Clark, Fred White, Greg Phillinganes, Jonathan Sugarfoot Moffett and Don Boyette attend MJ Immortal http://pic.twitter.com/073JWf0l (http://t.co/073JWf0l)

https://p.twimg.com/ApnDLufCIAACJsb.jpg (http://twitter.com/keikmj/status/187395465732562944/photo/1/large)

bluesky

04-04-2012, 04:50 AM

Naomi Campbell MJ Immortal World Tour Cirque Du Soleil show Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in NY. http://pic.twitter.com/ArweL8WL (http://t.co/ArweL8WL)

https://p.twimg.com/ApnBntYCQAA3tEv.jpg (http://twitter.com/keikmj/status/187393747443662850/photo/1/large)

max000

04-04-2012, 06:22 AM

At MSG too. MJ estate, Jamie King, gang at cirque du soleil: Message recieved. And what a powerful message it was. Never in my lifetime thought i would see MJ rescued from the tabloids. But last night sitting in MSG, it dawned on me that it was indeed happening in a most spectacular way. Can't underestimate the estate's brillance.

suzynyc

04-04-2012, 06:24 AM

max000

04-04-2012, 06:42 AM

Memefan

04-04-2012, 08:39 AM

RT @trppope: @MJonlineteam Saw John Branca @ #MJImmortal MSG NYC tonight! The estate & cirque did MJ proud! Show flowed better than Vegas version :)

After Party hosted by MJ Fans of NY fan club

RT @Mellie4Justice: MJfansNYC after party Feile bar http://yfrog.us/f6d9az

A sample General public comments (Overwhelmingly positive):

RT @JohnG92: @MSGEconcerts Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour was greatt tonight! The place was packed and the performance was sick!

RT @Danietwin: Mind blown at cirque right now!!! Unbelievable! http://instagr.am/p/I-9Y_7vGLp/

RT @SOCIALITENYC: And thank you Michael Jackson for inspiring!!! Forever will you be "IMMORTAL" @Cirque #respect

RT @willowfinn: The Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson show was spectacular. I feel like the sun is shining directly onto my heart. #TheImmortal #MJ4EVER

RT @JenMillan: my love for @michaeljackson has been renewed. thank you cirque du solei immortal tour for reminding me why I love him sm. <3 #****thehaterz

The cellist in the show tweeted Madonna was there:

RT @TinaGuo Great premiere night at Madison Square Garden tonight joined by Madonna, Ice T and Tyra Banks... :D two more shows here in New York City, then off to Uniondale, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and back to Los Angeles for a one week break April 16! :D

Geraldo as well:

RT @GeraldoRivera: Arthel&Taku took Erica &me to MSG for Cirque d Soleil/MJ awesome show amazing performances Taku was great-got a few hoodie cracks-but loving

Spike Lee:

RT <s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(255, 132, 102); ">@</s>leedelgado (https://twitter.com/#!/leedelgado): <s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(255, 132, 102); ">#</s>NYC (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23NYC) <s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(255, 132, 102); ">@</s>SpikeLee (https://twitter.com/#!/SpikeLee) just walked past w/ his fam

John Legend was also there

http://distilleryimage8.instagram.com/569f7c2e7e0311e18bb812313804a181_7.jpg

Cirque performer:

RT @LoukasKosmidis: “Ayea ;) back stage at the MSG with John legend !!!”

RT @Gianni1: SHOWTIME in Madison Square Garden! First time performing in this Arena - This is such a milestone for me in http://t.co/HmjP3xC4

Another Cirque performer:

RT @LeoMoctezuma 1st show at Madison Square Garden <s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(255, 132, 102); ">#</s>NYC (https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23NYC) was Fiyah! So happy to see so many friends in the audience! Then checked Henrietta Hudson for Thurs.

AllForLove

04-04-2012, 09:41 AM

Many thanks to all of you to share your moments at the IWT :heart: - I would be so disappointed if they don't come in France :( - :pray: My envy to see it keeps growing :shout: !!!

jaydom7

04-04-2012, 01:04 PM

John Legend? you have to be kidding me:beee:

ginvid

04-04-2012, 01:42 PM

Thanks for posting the pics! I was at the MSG show and it was so incredible. I was thoroughly entertained. What a beautiful tribute to Michael. He would have loved it so much. Michael's message of love, peace and music is carried throughout the show. Add the amazing talents of the Cirque Du Soleil folks and you get one unforgettable show.

LOL my sister and I saw Tracy Morgan walk into the audience with that shiny glittery jacket. Did that belong to MJ? We had heard Tyra was there. We didn't know of any others. Where was the red carpet? Anyway, I am so glad I decided to go at the last minute. My favorite part was the Ghost/Thriller part but all of it was special. At times I was pleasantly distracted by the MJ footage being played on the large screens while the dancing was going one. It was hard to take my eyes off of him. You know it got me thinking that it wouldn't be a bad idea for someone to take MJ's short films and play them in movie theaters somehow. I would pay good money to see his videos on the big screen.

I went last night as well. I have to admit I stayed away from all things Cirque just in case I went to the show. I shouldn't have done that. it was not what I expected and not in a good way. I have to say I was disappointed. MJ's presence is so profound, many times I found myself looking at the screen and missing the show in front of me by the live peerformers. The music sounded awesome. The mixes were VERY well done.

I had seen what Cirque did to the Beatles and I was expecting more of an acrobatical interpretation of Michael's music not a verbatim regurgitation of what Michael had already done himself. For the J5 segment, they had 5 guys doing J5 dances on the stage in afros. I was like, "You've got to be kidding me"?? I think if I had been more knowledgeable of how it was going to be, I would have not been in expectation of something that wasn't going to happen.

I would recommend all folks who want to see the show, please don't avoid these threads for fear of seeing too much ahead of time. Please see what you can and then I think you will enjoy the show more for what it is.
JMHO.

love is magical

04-04-2012, 02:51 PM

I went last night as well. I have to admit I stayed away from all things Cirque just in case I went to the show. I shouldn't have done that. it was not what I expected and not in a good way. I have to say I was disappointed. MJ's presence is so profound, many times I found myself looking at the screen and missing the show in front of me by the live peerformers. The music sounded awesome. The mixes were VERY well done.

I had seen what Cirque did to the Beatles and I was expecting more of an acrobatical interpretation of Michael's music not a verbatim regurgitation of what Michael had already done himself. For the J5 segment, they had 5 guys doing J5 dances on the stage in afros. I was like, "You've got to be kidding me"?? I think if I had been more knowledgeable of how it was going to be, I would have not been in expectation of something that wasn't going to happen.

I would recommend all folks who want to see the show, please don't avoid these threads for fear of seeing too much ahead of time. Please see what you can and then I think you will enjoy the show more for what it is.
JMHO.

I also went to MSG last night. I can totally understand how you feel. I enjoyed the show, but left with such a void. I still can't put a finger on my feeling. I also found myself looking at the screen more so than the performers. I even preferred to have more footage of Michael shown.

The atmosphere in my section was subdue. I was surrounded by young professional looking people. The only time the people around me got excited was during the Threatened/Thriller segment.

StellaJackson

04-04-2012, 06:54 PM

Has Gone Too Soon been dropped from the set list cos I was watching a video of the whole show and they didn't do it?

PurpleParrot

04-04-2012, 07:11 PM

Has Gone Too Soon been dropped from the set list cos I was watching a video of the whole show and they didn't do it?

dropped, as far as I remember

StellaJackson

04-04-2012, 07:14 PM

dropped, as far as I remember

Has it been dropped permanently?

PurpleParrot

04-04-2012, 08:04 PM

Has it been dropped permanently?

Probably, once they drop something, don't think they consider taking it back. Can't swear though...

Arklove

04-04-2012, 08:29 PM

Gone Too Soon was one of the saddest parts of the whole show :(

PurpleParrot

04-04-2012, 08:53 PM

Maybe that's why they removed it, it broke the rhythm of the show too much... Just with Childhood I think they are ok with the sad part... They removed most of Ben also, which I find a little sad, not that I loved the musical arrangement, but what was on the main scene was nice and now it's just 30 sec. of the song and only 2 people on the B scene..

StellaJackson

04-04-2012, 09:36 PM

Shake Your Body was also removed not long after the tour started.

suzynyc

04-04-2012, 10:43 PM

I went last night as well. I have to admit I stayed away from all things Cirque just in case I went to the show. I shouldn't have done that. it was not what I expected and not in a good way. I have to say I was disappointed. MJ's presence is so profound, many times I found myself looking at the screen and missing the show in front of me by the live peerformers. The music sounded awesome. The mixes were VERY well done.

I had seen what Cirque did to the Beatles and I was expecting more of an acrobatical interpretation of Michael's music not a verbatim regurgitation of what Michael had already done himself. For the J5 segment, they had 5 guys doing J5 dances on the stage in afros. I was like, "You've got to be kidding me"?? I think if I had been more knowledgeable of how it was going to be, I would have not been in expectation of something that wasn't going to happen.

I would recommend all folks who want to see the show, please don't avoid these threads for fear of seeing too much ahead of time. Please see what you can and then I think you will enjoy the show more for what it is.
JMHO.

Well for me there HAS to be MJ style choreography involved because that's one of the things he's famous for...dancing. I think there was just the right mix of acrobatics and Michael's dance moves in this show. The J5 segment was cute and campy and I loved the mirrored choreography. It's part of Michael's life and career and it must be celebrated. I went to this show already knowing a little about what Cirque has done and having watched a few clips etc so I wasn't surprised. I really wasn't expecting to even be able to go but at the last minute I snagged some great affordable floor seat tix and I'm so happy I did.

Madonna was there too? I would like to see photos of her there...

They absolutely did have a "Gone too soon" segment. Yes, very sad.

Very moving also was how the audience collectively kept shouting Michael's name or screaming "Michael, we love you!!". Beautiful.

I loved the giant Neverland gates.

I do agree that at times it was tough not to look at Michael on the large screens while also watching the cirque performers at the same time. That speaks volumes about the power of Michael's charisma.

marebear

04-04-2012, 10:47 PM

I did the same thing when I saw the show. Everytime they showed Michael on the screen I watched him instead of the performers lol. I couldn't help it. I want to see it again. I think the empty feeling or void some feel is because Michael isn't there. It's a great show but it doesn't replace Michael being there and him performing for us. It's a great tribute to him and I hope non fans that go will appreciate him more. Was madonna really there?

StellaJackson

04-04-2012, 11:44 PM

They absolutely did have a "Gone too soon" segment. Yes, very sad.

How recently did you go?

suzynyc

04-04-2012, 11:47 PM

A couple of reviews for the premiere MSG show:

http://www.bet.com/news/celebrities/2012/04/04/review-cirque-du-soleil-s-michael-jackson-the-immortal-world-tour-at-madison-square-garden.html

Last night, Cirque Du Soleil brought Michael Jackson back to life in an awesome spectacle of acrobatics, dance and high-octane production. In Michael jackson The Immortal World Tour, Cirque's biggest tour yet, the fantasyland of the circus meets the timeless world of MJ. The show, which will travel the U.S. until August and eventually hit Europe, runs at Madison Square Garden until Thursday then moves to Nassau Coliseum.

(http://www.bet.com/news/fashion-and-beauty/photos/2012/04/all-time-top-black-icons-in-fashion-style-and-design.html) One might think Cirque Du Soleil is full of spinning dancers and gymnast tricks, but this show is more about MJ than acrobatics. All praise to the director, Jamie King, who found the balance of delivering what audiences will expect from Cirque Du Soleil while still honoring every angle of Jackson’s legacy. His signature choreography is captured, from "Thriller" and "Billie Jean" to “Smooth Criminal,” which was a crowd favorite due to the gangster montages and over-the-top fireworks. Definitely more dancing than acrobatics, each memorable movement is delivered from over 60 gifted performers. There are tap dancers, a one-legged phenomenon who performs with a cane, tons of acrobats and a pole dancer who elevates the term "working the pole" to godly heights. The pops, dips and spins are breathtaking.

This is the circus, so elaborate light shows and super dynamic LED screens skillfully illuminate the stage, complimented with montages and mash-ups of Jackson's music. As a plus, iconic MJ images come to life, like a dancing glove and tapping loafers, taking the pop star's larger-than-life symbols and literally immortalizing them.

There is no particular story line. With the exception of a sparkling mime in all white, the charactcers consistently change, which has garnered some hits from critics. But this is the circus, not a Broadway production.

MJ got nothing but love from New York City. In addition, opening night was not short in star power. Tracy Morgan, Ice-T and Coco, Nelson George and Tyra Banks (who gleefully danced to “Black & White,” a video where she had a small cameo) were all in attendance.

Not only did Cirque Du Soleil properly pay homage to MJ, they respectfully delivered his message of peace. Michael Jackson's charity and love for children was in nearly every song, which was clearly one of his greatest passions. While we will never have Michael Jackson live on stage again, it's safe to say the King of Pop would've been proud of Cirque Du Soleil's The Immortal Tour.

http://www.vibe.com/img/michael-jackson-immortal-world-tour-cirque-du-soleil-132477

The King of Pop lives on! Famed performance group Cirque Du Soleil put on an one-of-a-kind show to commemorate the life of the one and only Michael Jackson, debutingan act of his greatest hits on The Immortal World Tour.

Fans and celebrities alike—including Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Ice T, Coco, and Tracey Morgan in his shiniest MJ-esque sequin jacket—came out to Madison Square Garden to watch the King Of Pop resurrected on stage for the night.

MJ nostalgia was at a high, starting from the Jackson 5 hits "I Want You Back" and "ABC" to "Dancing Machine" and "Blame It On The Boogie." By the time we got into the Dangerous era, the crowd was treated to a tastefully done pole dance that put King Of Diamonds's best to shame. A host of MJ tunes, including a star-gazing performance of "Human Nature," a hauntingly entertaining "Thriller" show, and a hilarious step to "Beat It"—with an oversized dancing glove and shoes to accompany—made for an unforgettable experience.
By the end of the show, it was hard to spot a dry eye in the building as "I'll Be There" blared through the arena with a large picture slideshow of a young Michael Jackson. If you have a chance to go see Cirque Du Soleil while they're still at the Garden tonight and tomorrow, do yourself a favor and indulge in the Michael Jackson experience!—Keenan Higgins

If you can't make it out to the show, VIBE's got you covered with pics from the mind-blowing performance. Continue on to the gallery.

suzynyc

04-04-2012, 11:53 PM

How recently did you go?

Last night, MSG.

StellaJackson

04-04-2012, 11:58 PM

Last night, MSG.

Ok it must have been a temporary thing then.

suzynyc

05-04-2012, 12:04 AM

Another review...

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/04/cirque-du-soleil-does-michael-jackson.html

MsCassieMollie

05-04-2012, 12:44 AM

http://www.etonline.com/music/120583_Michael_Jackson_s_Legacy_Lives_on_in_Cirque _Du_Soleil_Show/index.html

MJ's Legacy Lives On In Cirque Du Soleil

In an all-star night befitting the King of Pop, Cirque du Soleil kicked off the New York City leg of The Immortal World Tour on Tuesday, commemorating a lifetime of Michael Jackson's greatest hits in a family-friendly extravaganza.

Tyra Banks was front and center for the big night, lauding Jackson's "infectious" hits as a perfect match for the world-renown troupe.

"When I first heard that Cirque and Michael Jackson were doing something together I was like, 'It's so natural,' " she said. "What cirque has done with [Elvis and the Beatles], I think that they will continue to keep [Jackson's] legend alive."

30 Rock's Tracy Morgan called the MJ's music "the soundtrack of my life," arriving to the red carpet event at Madison Square Garden with his fiancée Megan Wollover. "'Big' meant nothing to Mike. 'Bigger' meant nothing to Mike. 'Biggest' meant everything."

The one-of-a-kind traveling show, written and directed by Jamie King, has been touring across North America since October 2011. The European leg will begin this fall at London's O2 Arena.

For a preview snippet of the show and more information on The Immortal World Tour, visit Cirque's website at cirquedusoleil.com.

ginvid

05-04-2012, 02:51 AM

Well for me there HAS to be MJ style choreography involved because that's one of the things he's famous for...dancing. I think there was just the right mix of acrobatics and Michael's dance moves in this show. The J5 segment was cute and campy and I loved the mirrored choreography. It's part of Michael's life and career and it must be celebrated. I went to this show already knowing a little about what Cirque has done and having watched a few clips etc so I wasn't surprised. I really wasn't expecting to even be able to go but at the last minute I snagged some great affordable floor seat tix and I'm so happy I did.

Madonna was there too? I would like to see photos of her there...

They absolutely did have a "Gone too soon" segment. Yes, very sad.

Very moving also was how the audience collectively kept shouting Michael's name or screaming "Michael, we love you!!". Beautiful.

I loved the giant Neverland gates.

I do agree that at times it was tough not to look at Michael on the large screens while also watching the cirque performers at the same time. That speaks volumes about the power of Michael's charisma.

I didn't say there should not be MJ styled choreography. Of course this is expected. I just thought the mix of acrobatics/dancing was disproportionate. The show lacked imagination and in many cases was a verbatim reenactment of everything Michael had already done. It was not reinterpreted in many cases to Cirque. I had seen just plain Cirque performances, I had also seen some of what they had done for the Beatles and was thinking it was going to be along those lines more. I was simply disappointed.

As for the J5 segment, of course it should be acknowledged. It was a huge part of his life and he always acknowledge it. It was the method they used to acknowledge it that was disappointing. 5 guys in an afro on the stage doing the J5 dances takes no imaginiation or envelope pushing to accomplish. The article you posted above hit the nail on the head with quote:

And if all you’re doing is recreating a video that every Michael Jackson fan has already committed to memory, are you really doing much at all? I agree with many of the points of the article including the assessment that the show improved in the second half.

I was just imagining a reinterpretation of all that MJ gave us by Cirque instead of a regurgitation of what Michael gives us, especially since Michael always gives it to us better. They have to break free from thinking they HAVE to do the same dance moves. I think maybe they had too much to work with since Michael himself was so visual. With the Beatles, since they were not, it allowed the creators at Cirque to have a cleaner palatte to imagine up whatever they dreamed.

I fear I am not explaining myself well enough and a continued discourse about dislikes will leave a bad taste in the thread. I certainly would not deter anyone from seeing it. I am glad I did see it just once; however, I just want members to be aware of what to expect.

Anyway, I'm so glad you had a good time. :)

marebear

05-04-2012, 03:48 AM

I think I have read in the past the the permanent show in Vegas will be different than what they are doing now.

PurpleParrot

05-04-2012, 02:07 PM

As for the MJ choreography, I think if they didn't put it in at all, then people would have complained there was no MJ moves...

I think they did quite a good job deciding where and when they put the moves and where hey put acrobats. Yes they did a little keep it safe by doing the Smooth Criminal and Thriller routines there, but they hired acrobats AND dancers, they have to make those dancers dance :) And those moves are so iconic.. in a way, maybe they thought ''If MJ thought that this is the move that had to go with this song, who in the hell are we to decide it should be something else and thinking it could be better''.

Just a thought. :)

Erikmjfan

05-04-2012, 03:06 PM

A good video from MSG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TbAjUZezFc

saveNRG

05-04-2012, 04:55 PM

I saw the show last night and loved it! Can you feel it, billie jean, IJCSLY were my favorite parts. The crowd was really into it too!

bluesky

06-04-2012, 04:12 AM

We're at <s>@</s>michaeljackson (https://twitter.com/#%21/michaeljackson) <s>#</s>mjIMMORTAL (https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23mjIMMORTAL) <s>@</s>Cirque (https://twitter.com/#%21/Cirque) tonite at <s>@</s>MSGnyc (https://twitter.com/#%21/MSGnyc)! Have you seen this tour? So much talent+amazing music! http://pic.twitter.com/gQSAjaJo (http://t.co/gQSAjaJo)

https://p.twimg.com/Apw4knyCQAEHvXe.jpg (http://twitter.com/SonyMusicGlobal/status/188087486239621121/photo/1/large)

elusive moonwalker

06-04-2012, 02:00 PM

John Legend? you have to be kidding me:beee:

yeah u have to laugh at all the ppl who hated on mj now going to these shows to get themselves some free publicty. i hope mj has enough buckets where ever he is cause its vomit inducing the fakeness of so many ppl

LastTear

07-04-2012, 02:53 PM

A good video from MSG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TbAjUZezFc

Oh lord the tears are flowing, goosebumps watching 'will you be there' - I don't know how I'm going to get through this show. :cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:

loveforever

07-04-2012, 03:42 PM

Oh lord the tears are flowing, goosebumps watching 'will you be there' :cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
Me too. I don't remember there were the end part where michael appeared when I saw the live show last year. Is this the change of the show? It's so touching. I guess I have to see it again.

jaydom7

07-04-2012, 09:13 PM

CherubimII

08-04-2012, 02:08 AM

'will you be there' is so touching knowing the fact that we all loved MJ so much yet we weren't there for him when Murray was killing him. If only someone who loved and cared for MJ could see what Murray was doing, all would be ok right now.:(
Yes, these same thoughts cross my mind often, and then I remember that it was,also, time for our Michael Jackson to take his place in God's Heavenly choir.

bluetopez

09-04-2012, 10:52 PM

I'm goin 2morrow night to see the MJ Cirque show in Philly. I'm REALLY excited! :jump:

marebear

09-04-2012, 11:02 PM

I'm goin 2morrow night to see the MJ Cirque show in Philly. I'm REALLY excited! :jump:

Have a great time!

Ashtanga

09-04-2012, 11:38 PM

I'm goin 2morrow night to see the MJ Cirque show in Philly. I'm REALLY excited! :jump:

http://www.hornedhalo.org/images/kermit.gif

bluetopez

10-04-2012, 02:50 AM

Aww Thx Marebear and Ash...I love Kermit! :D

I hope I'll see the Given tree there? Read some shows it was missin, right? Either way I know I will enjoy it even though I don't have the best sit. I'm high up in the balcony boo! <_<

But, When it comes to Vegas I hope I can go and be much closer? Can't wait to see what merchadise their sellin 2morrow? I really want a program book and atleast a mug or somethin...perhaps a shirt too. Depends on how much everything is ofcourse. I'll give a lil review of the show when I get back! :)

suzynyc

10-04-2012, 05:03 AM

Speaking of merch...the prices are just ridiculous at MSG. Which isn't anything new but I'm shocked every time. $30-$50 bucks for a t-shirt? No thanks. The program wasn't all that bad at $25 bucks but I still passed. My souvenirs are the memories I have in my mind of the entertainment. Oh, and why do people go to these family shows to get blasted on liquor? This drunk woman spilled her drink on the two chairs behind her (and next to me) which were fortunately empty. As the audience filed out at the end of the show this woman was out cold. I don't think liquor should be sold at these events. This always seems to happen at any live event I go to. Other than this, it was a pleasant evening.

PurpleParrot

10-04-2012, 05:19 PM

Aww Thx Marebear and Ash...I love Kermit! :D

I hope I'll see the Given tree there? Read some shows it was missin, right? Either way I know I will enjoy it even though I don't have the best sit. I'm high up in the balcony boo! <_<

The Giving Tree isn't part of the show anymore. Since you'll be up in the balcony, I can tell you it's not the best seat because you see all the empty spots on the scene, where they could have filled it with more dancers of anything else, but since it's your first show you didn't see how it was full before, so you might enjoy it just as much as anybody else. Hope you can have a better seat later when you go back, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it anyway, Just look at it as a poetic personal rendition of MJ's art from Cirque du Soleil, don't expect a rock or a MJ show, don't expect just acrobats, just enjoy what they give you :)

Have fun! :D

Ashtanga

11-04-2012, 01:42 AM

Aww Thx Marebear and Ash...I love Kermit! :D

;) :shifty:

bluetopez

11-04-2012, 06:14 AM

The Giving Tree isn't part of the show anymore. Since you'll be up in the balcony, I can tell you it's not the best seat because you see all the empty spots on the scene, where they could have filled it with more dancers of anything else, but since it's your first show you didn't see how it was full before, so you might enjoy it just as much as anybody else. Hope you can have a better seat later when you go back, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it anyway, Just look at it as a poetic personal rendition of MJ's art from Cirque du Soleil, don't expect a rock or a MJ show, don't expect just acrobats, just enjoy what they give you :)

Have fun! :D

Totally agree on that. Some parts like scream could have been better to fill up the whole stage. But it was still amazing! I ENJOYED IT ALOT! But, boy do I wish I had a better seat, Huh. I def need glasses. lol I wanted to see the customs up close. But, The screen was big enough to see which was cool. But, the screen or what look like a sheet that moves up that was in the middle was a lil to dark to see all of it especially being so damn high up. About the Given tree well...something was definetly there but, it had no branches lol So is that the change?

I didn't buy any shirts because the prices were too much but I reallly wanted too. So instead I got the Program book, black bag, keychain, stainless steel bottle, poster, Mug & The Popcorn bucket and drink. So I still spent alot anywayz lol

But most important Philly gave MJ lots of love. People yelling his name saying I love u, some crying like myself and my sis and a huge applause in the end! It was awesome!:wub:

marebear

11-04-2012, 09:03 PM

Totally agree on that. Some parts like scream could have been better to fill up the whole stage. But it was still amazing! I ENJOYED IT ALOT! But, boy do I wish I had a better seat, Huh. I def need glasses. lol I wanted to see the customs up close. But, The screen was big enough to see which was cool. But, the screen or what look like a sheet that moves up that was in the middle was a lil to dark to see all of it especially being so damn high up. About the Given tree well...something was definetly there but, it had no branches lol So is that the change?

I didn't buy any shirts because the prices were too much but I reallly wanted too. So instead I got the Program book, black bag, keychain, stainless steel bottle, poster, Mug & The Popcorn bucket and drink. So I still spent alot anywayz lol

But most important Philly gave MJ lots of love. People yelling his name saying I love u, some crying like myself and my sis and a huge applause in the end! It was awesome!:wub:

I am glad you had fun. My seats were pretty high up too but I thought I had a good view. Anytime Michael came on the screen I would watch him instead of the dancers lol. I want to see it again. I think what you saw was the stump. I didn't see a tree but this bottom part and they did different things with it. It didn't bother me much. Overall it is a great tribute to Michael and the fact that so many people are filling up arenas all over shows how much Michael was loved by people. I don't care what anyone says or tries to tell me. Michael isn't here and he is selling out shows and making people happy.

Erikmjfan

11-04-2012, 09:23 PM

Some really good videos from the concert in Nassau NY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=044vVtK6B10&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYUj8gmJ104&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJLPBWzERp4&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zag93d27nFY

ExoticPrincess

11-04-2012, 10:53 PM

Totally agree on that. Some parts like scream could have been better to fill up the whole stage. But it was still amazing! I ENJOYED IT ALOT! But, boy do I wish I had a better seat, Huh. I def need glasses. lol I wanted to see the customs up close. But, The screen was big enough to see which was cool. But, the screen or what look like a sheet that moves up that was in the middle was a lil to dark to see all of it especially being so damn high up. About the Given tree well...something was definetly there but, it had no branches lol So is that the change?

I didn't buy any shirts because the prices were too much but I reallly wanted too. So instead I got the Program book, black bag, keychain, stainless steel bottle, poster, Mug & The Popcorn bucket and drink. So I still spent alot anywayz lol

But most important Philly gave MJ lots of love. People yelling his name saying I love u, some crying like myself and my sis and a huge applause in the end! It was awesome!:wub:

Glad to hear you enjoyed it, its always nice to hear the feedback from the fans who enjoyed themselves, its kinda like sharing the enjoyment too, but at the same time not.

PurpleParrot

12-04-2012, 01:47 AM

About the Giving Tree, yes the 'trunk' is still there with bars on it for acrobats, but that's it, no branches, that's normal :)

Ashtanga

12-04-2012, 01:54 AM

Totally agree on that. Some parts like scream could have been better to fill up the whole stage. But it was still amazing! I ENJOYED IT ALOT! But, boy do I wish I had a better seat, Huh. I def need glasses. lol I wanted to see the customs up close. But, The screen was big enough to see which was cool. But, the screen or what look like a sheet that moves up that was in the middle was a lil to dark to see all of it especially being so damn high up. About the Given tree well...something was definetly there but, it had no branches lol So is that the change?

I didn't buy any shirts because the prices were too much but I reallly wanted too. So instead I got the Program book, black bag, keychain, stainless steel bottle, poster, Mug & The Popcorn bucket and drink. So I still spent alot anywayz lol

But most important Philly gave MJ lots of love. People yelling his name saying I love u, some crying like myself and my sis and a huge applause in the end! It was awesome!:wub:

http://www.hornedhalo.org/images/kermit.gif

The popcorn bucket????? >>>>>>>> http://www.gifanatics.com/files/Jackson_popcorn.gif :P

dam2040

12-04-2012, 02:43 AM

I hope for my show they have Branches for the tree, first show in a different country so possibly.

MsCassieMollie

12-04-2012, 05:22 AM

Saxophonist who played for Prince and got noticed by Michael Jackson now honors the King of Pop in Cirque's 'Immortal World Tour' - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/theater-dance/saxophonist-who-played-for-prince-and-got-noticed-by-michael-jackson-now-honors-the-king-of-pop-in-cirques-immortal-world-tour-631016/)

Saxophonist who played for Prince and got noticed by Michael Jackson now honors the King of Pop in Cirque's 'Immortal World Tour'

April 12, 2012 12:01 am

http://c4241337.r37.cf2.rackcdn.com/04-12-02_cirque-du-soleils-michael-jackson-the-immortal-world-tour_420.jpg

By Sharon Eberson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Saxophonist Mike Phillips was big-game-tested when he was recruited for Cirque du Soleil's "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour." After gigs playing the national anthem on opening day for the Kansas City Royals and halftime shows at the Super Bowl with Prince and Stevie Wonder, there's little that can phase you, even playing from a high vantage point that oversees the action of a Cirque show.

"With pyro, lights, the energy from everywhere and a lot of things on the outskirts that assist the music and the presentation, let's put it this way, and I know it sounds crazy, but playing four Super Bowl halftime shows with all of that gets you ready for Cirque," Mr. Phillips said.

Not so crazy. Cirque's "Immortal Tour" is more like a halftime marathon that is now in its sixth month. It includes 32 songs played live to recordings of Michael Jackson's voice, his finger snaps and foot taps, while the band rocks out from its position above the acrobats, dancers and pageantry. The show's sensory assault comes courtesy of writer and director Jamie King, a designer of tours for entertainers such as Rihanna and Madonna, including the latter's 2012 Super Bowl halftime show.

"Immortal" features more than 60 performers from around the world and enough props and equipment to roll into the Petersen Events Center aboard 35 trucks.

It all starts with the music of the late Michael Jackson, with arrangements by his longtime collaborator and "Immortal" music director Greg Phillinganes.

"They extracted Michael's masters and custom made and tailored the songs to specific acts ... Cirque is perfect for that," Mr. Phillips said by phone before heading to Pittsburgh. "They have a way of putting together a presentation that will bring you through different moods. Once that happened and I was in rehearsal, I was absolutely amazed. To look at the greatest artist of all time, the King of Pop, and the greatest company that could put on a spectacle like this, I think it's the perfect merger."

The show includes a mere few who interacted with Jackson before his death at age 50 in 2009, including several members of the band: bass player Don Boyette, singer Fred White and drummer Jonathan "Sugarfoot" Moffett. Mr. Phillips met the King of Pop on a couple of occasions and performed a jazz saxophone solo on the single "Behind the Mask," a song on the posthumous album "Michael," released in December 2010.

"I met him once in Vegas when he came to the Prince show," said Mr. Phillips, who played the Purple One's Musicology tour in 2004. "You know, they always say that Michael and Prince were in competition, and I believe that, but it was a competition with a lot of respect of each other's musical abilities. It was almost like, when you play HORSE in basketball, you see a shot and say, oh, I can make that, or I can do better than that. Even watching Mike and Prince interact that time in Vegas, the way they were looking at each other, they had so much respect.

"And I met Michael and he shook my hand and looked me straight in the eye and said, 'I truly enjoyed you on saxophone. You're bad.' Those were his words verbatim. And I think that's what led to him requesting me for 'Behind the Mask.' "

When Cirque came calling, though, Mr. Phillips wasn't so sure. He had just finished recording "Behind the Mask" when he first heard the pitch from John McClain, co-executor of the Jackson estate.

"I'm out shooting hoops in the back of the studio on Sunset in LA, and he says, 'We're putting together a show for Michael, like a circus show.' And I was like, I don't want to play for that. I didn't know it was Cirque du Soleil. Cirque du Soleil is the creme de la creme of entertainment. So just playing for the circus, I was like, I don't know if I want to do that, brother. Once I found out it was Cirque du Soleil, I called him back and absolutely said yes, but still, I was concerned about how would it work."

Now, from the perspective of six months on the road with the tour, he couldn't be more enthusiastic.

Mr. Phillips often plays gigs at small venues to showcase his solo work, and members of his tour family come along to cheer him on, sometimes joining him to dance on stage.

And from the band space that Mr. Phillips says is the best seat in the house to watch the Cirque show, he can enjoy the work of the performers below -- although it can be distracting.

"From where I stand, I see absolutely everything, which sometimes is not a good thing because there's so much going on that you can get caught up in it and miss a part. I'm not gonna lie, that's happened a couple of times. I'm like, wow, look at that move, and a part just passes."

He said one of the showstoppers who has been known to cause him and the audience to perhaps skip a breath in amazement is the pole dancer. MTV.com wrote of the performance of Felix Cane, two-time world pole-dancing champion, that she "maneuvered in the sky dancing on a pole -- with no harness -- appropriately performing to 'Dangerous,' as the audience was captivated by her every move."

"She's responsible for most of my missed notes," Mr. Phillips said, laughing. "And 'Smooth Criminal.' When they do the lean like the Michael Jackson video, I'm just amazed because they go all the way down to the floor and come back up. It's just like, man ... the only way I can describe it is it's sonic and visual sensory overload."

Mr. Phillips says often that the show is driven by Jackson's voice, and the band has several important roles, notably cues that trigger the action for acrobats and dancers.

Consistency is important, but it doesn't always go by rote. Each stop on the tour provides its own unique spark. The Philadelphia native likes to observe what makes an audience tick.

"Every town has a different energy, and our job is to understand it and tap into it," he said. "Like Detroit, for instance, that's the type of town where they work hard, like Pittsburgh, so if we buy a ticket, we want every bit of our money's worth. In LA, everybody is looking around to see who else is there, looking fabulous. If you're in New York and you're not bringing it hard, they are looking at you like, whatever. And we're in New York now, and they are on their feet. So each venue, each town has a different spirit to them you have to really understand."

While on tour, Mr. Phillips also plies his trade and takes the pulse of cities in smaller venues like the Taboo 2 Bistro & Bar in Atlanta April 25 and the Sheraton Hotel Ballroom in Baltimore May 4. He's played stadiums and arenas, including the Mellon Arena with Prince back in 2004.

As the Cirque tour stretches through the United States and Canada before heading to Europe in October, Mr. Phillips said the big show and his smaller shows provide a perfect career balance, even for someone who has played President Clinton's Inaugural Gala at The Kennedy Center, the 80th birthday celebration for President Nelson Mandela in South Africa, the Billboard Music Awards, TV appearances and oh, yeah, those halftime gigs.

For now, he's happy to be a part of this particular circus as long as it lasts, because it honors the man he calls "the greatest entertainer of all time."

"One of my favorite quotes goes something like, 'You might forget what someone said to you, sometimes you might forget what they do, but you'll never forget how they made you feel.' At the end of the night, that's what this is all about. Making people feel Michael's spirit through the presentation that only Cirque can put together."

qbee

12-04-2012, 09:49 AM

Thnaks Cassie that was great :)
I enjoyed learning all about his Saxaphone player History with Prince and MJ and his take on the show
I love the Sax solo on Behind the mask and didnt know Michael had already chosen him to play that part.

qbee

12-04-2012, 09:50 AM

Thanks Cassie that was great :)
I enjoyed learning all about his Saxophone player History with Prince and MJ and his take on the show
I love the Sax solo on Behind the mask and didn't know Michael had already chosen him to play that part.

DarlinMichael

12-04-2012, 03:31 PM

I can't believe it but...I'll go to London to see The Cirque at the Arena o2 in october *_*

MsCassieMollie

12-04-2012, 09:29 PM

You're welcome qbee! :)

ExoticPrincess

13-04-2012, 03:31 AM

"One of my favorite quotes goes something like, 'You might forget what someone said to you, sometimes you might forget what they do, but you'll never forget how they made you feel.' At the end of the night, that's what this is all about. Making people feel Michael's spirit through the presentation that only Cirque can put together."

Like this!

Oh, it was also nice to hear more about the interation between both MJ and Prince had in Las Vegas :)

TheBadTour1988

13-04-2012, 03:54 PM

¿Show In Mexico Or Never?

Ashtanga

13-04-2012, 11:05 PM

http://www.gifanatics.com/files/Jackson_popcorn.gif

Jazzebel

14-04-2012, 10:05 AM

I'm really wondering now if they'll announce a second leg of the show in Europe?

Seems like they take their time. Maybe they'll do that leg somewhere in 2013.
Guess that'd make sense as the whole of 2012 is fully scheduled now. :(

Memefan

14-04-2012, 11:13 AM

Michael Jackson Immortal is apparently going to Mexico, according to Santander. There's no date listed, but pre sale starts on May 5th for Santander bank card holders.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/SantanderMex

Revive toda la energía del Rey del pop en “Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour”, del Cirque du Soleil, que por primera vez sale de Canadá y E.U. Aparta tus boletos para este espectáculo en la Súper venta para tarjetahabientes Santander este 5, 6 y 7 de Mayo, y aprovecha 10% de descuento + 3 meses sin intereses

Google Translation:

"Relive all the energy of the King of Pop "Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour"by Cirque du Soleil for the first time you leave Canada and EU Away your tickets to this show at the Super sale to Santander cardholders this 5, 6 and 7 May, and takes10% off + 3 months interest."

CherubimII

16-04-2012, 05:12 PM

Michael Jackson Immortal is apparently going to Mexico, according to Santander. There's no date listed, but pre sale starts on May 5th for Santander bank card holders.
evive toda la energía del Rey del pop en “Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour”, del Cirque du Soleil (http://www.amazon.com/Cirque-du-Soleil/e/B000AQ4GJK), que por primera vez sale de Canadá y E.U. Aparta tus boletos para este espectáculo en la Súper venta para tarjetahabientes Santander este 5, 6 y 7 de Mayo, y aprovecha 10% de descuento + 3 meses sin intereses

Google Translation:

"Relive all the energy of the King of Pop "Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour"by Cirque du Soleil (http://www.amazon.com/Cirque-du-Soleil/e/B000AQ4GJK) for the first time you leave Canada and EU Away your tickets to this show at the Super sale to Santander cardholders this 5, 6 and 7 May, and takes10% off + 3 months interest
Source: https://www.facebook.com/SantanderMex

This is WONDERFUL NEWS for Michael's Mexican fans!!!!!!:woohoo:

Petrarose

17-04-2012, 12:15 AM

Cassie thanks for that interview. I felt his feelings of doubtfulness about a circus was really appropriate. Of course he found out it was Cirque and changed his mind.

It is great that they are going to Mexico, because Michael loved Mexico and has been performing there since the J5 days. He will definitely have a lot of old school fans there.

Memefan

17-04-2012, 12:16 AM

They just added another show (the 3rd) for ATL:

ENTERTAINMENT
Cirque adds third date for ‘Immortal’
“Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” can be taken literally now that a third Atlanta date has been added for “Michael Jackson the Immortal World Tour.” A 4 p.m. July 1 show joins the previously announced June 29 and 30 performances at Philips Arena. Advance tickets are on sale now for Cirque Club members and become available to the general public Friday. Tickets are $50-$250. Info: 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com (http://www.ticketmaster.com). MELISSA RUGGIERI

Source (http://blogs.ajc.com/arts-culture/2012/04/16/culture-notes-cirque-adds-third-michael-jackson-show-environmental-writer-seabrook-reads-from-salt-marsh-tonight/?cxntfid=blogs_arts_culture)

On another note: Cirque's CEO Daniel Lamarre seems very please with Immortal so far:

Good news has arrived on two other fronts, he added. The first is the success of Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour show. Since opening in Montreal last October, it has toured the continent. This month, it played to sold-out houses at Madison Square Gardens in New York and garnered a positive review in the New York Times.
"It's the No. 1 show on Pollstar for the last four months," Lamarre said. "So that is giving us some fresh air."

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/Cirque+keeps+balance+despite+setbacks+Japan/6464370/story.html#ixzz1sFiBszUE

Mirabella76

17-04-2012, 02:05 PM

Just read it on Twitter:

Fans United 4 MJ ‏ <s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); ">@</s>U4MJL (https://twitter.com/#!/U4MJL)

A 5th date has been added for London O2 Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour http://tinyurl.com/cp7gvn8 (http://t.co/LeXzNPBw)

Mirabella76

17-04-2012, 03:28 PM

Hey Russian and Ukrainian fans! Immortal Show will come to Saint-Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan and Kiev!

http://vk.com/wall-23624545_150
http://www.cds.ru/

bluesky

17-04-2012, 09:32 PM

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Holographic MJ At Cirque Show In Vegas? (http://www.mjfanclub.net/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5303:holographic-mj-at-cirque-show-in-vegas&catid=85:latest-news&Itemid=82)

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http://www.mjfanclub.net/home/images/stories/bad25_thumb_2.jpg(17-4-2012) News of the Tupac Shakur hologram (http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/04/tupac_hologram_coachella.html) that performed at Coachella on Sunday night has the Internet buzzing about the amazing technology and the possibility of taking the hologram on tour. Now there is speculation that the Cirque du Soliel's Michael Jackson show in Las Vegas may utilize the technology when the permanent show opens at the Mandalay Bay next year.
Speaking of the technology, veteran manager Danny Goldberg, who was on hand at Coachella and witnessed it in person, told MTV News he believes the technology should be used sparingly.
"I thought it was great in that particular moment," Goldberg said. "They were evoking a certain nostalgia for [the era of] gangsta rap and I thought it worked in that context and was exciting and special. I think it's not something that would be particularly easy for another artist to emulate."
Goldberg said certain things work best the first time around and if someone else was to try a holo-show they might have to find a way to make it new again; otherwise it could come off as cheesy and derivative. Part of that potential pitfall is the legacy of the artist. For example, if Paul McCartney announced a tour with a virtual John Lennon, Beatles fans would likely see it as being in poor taste and would not attend. "It's another tool in the toolbox of technology, but some tools should only be used sparingly," he said, adding that he thought the execution at Coachella was stellar.
Making the trick work on a larger scale, or even for a full concert tour is unlikely given the unique aspects of the Coachella gig.
"Part of what made that effective was that it was a surprise, coupled with authentic living, breathing superstars in Dre and Snoop and not over-relying on it," Goldberg said.
The possibilities of the technology do seem endless. While a spokesperson for the Estate of Michael Jackson would not confirm that the MJ show would use similar technology, when MTV News spoke to Cirque President and CEO Daniel Lamarre in 2010, he said, "The new technology that we want to bring to [the permanent] Vegas [show] will be more theatrical." He went on to say that fans "will see Vegas become the home of Michael Jackson and people will come from all over the world to experience the uniqueness of the technology that we want to bring there."
At the time, Lamarre hinted at the use of "3-D technologies and hologram technologies to allow people to see Michael Jackson onstage."

Source: MJFC / MTV.com (http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1683289/tupac-hologram-coachella-future-of-touring.jhtml) / nj.com

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