Michael Jackson's New Vegas Show 'One' Will Double The Fun
Michael Jackson pulled in an estimated $145 million last year from beyond the grave–tens of millions more than any living musician. A big part of that: his Immortal World Tour, a joint venture between the Michael Jackson Estate and Cirque du Soleil. It grossed $160 million in its first leg, tops among North American tours in 2012.
On the heels of that success, Jackson’s estate and Cirque du Soliel have announced another endeavor: Michael Jackson One, a brand-new show set to run indefinitely at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, set to debut in preview form on May 23rd, 2013. The official premiere will follow on June 29th, 2013.
“Michael Jackson is an all-time phenomenal artist, both timeless and contemporary,” said Cirque chief Daniel Lamarre in a statement. “As a creative challenge, this project is the ultimate. Through the use of cutting edge technology, we will produce a new Cirque du Soleil theatrical experience not only respectful of Michael’s legacy but also very distinctive from Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour.”
The new show means that Michael Jackson will soon be able to do something that no artist has ever done before: play two arena shows at the same time. Even as fans gather for the first performance of One in Vegas on May 23rd, the same thing will be happening on the other side of the world as the Immortal World Tour rolls into Nagoya, Japan. Just hours after the official Vegas premier the following month, Immortal will take the stage in Taipei, Taiwan.
Directed by Jamie King, the plot of Michael Jackson One will follow four misfits as they embark upon a musical, visual, theatrical adventure. The title of the show reflects its inspiration and recurring theme–unity and peace–the sort of themes Jackson explored in songs like “Man In The Mirror” and “Heal The World.”
Said estate co-executors John Branca and John McClain in a statement:
We are guided by Michael’s own philosophy in all that we do. In preparing for this production, Michael’s message to the cast and crew for his This Is It concerts was foremost in our minds. He counseled them on what the audience experience should be: ‘They want wonderful experiences. We want to take them places that they’ve never been before. We want to show them talent like they’ve never seen before. We’re putting love back into the world to remind the world that love is important. WE’RE ALL ONE. That is the message.’ We feel the same, and that is what we are delivering both to lifelong fans and those just discovering his artistic genius with Michael Jackson One.”
In addition to being a brilliant entertainer–taking millions places they hadn’t been through music and videos alike–Jackson was also quite a savvy businessman in his day (a theme I’m exploring in my upcoming book, Michael Jackson, Inc., due out next year for Simon & Schuster).
He outmaneuvered billionaires and music executives to acquire ATV, the company that owned the Beatles’ publishing catalog, for $47.5 million in 1985. That investment is now worth somewhere around $1 billion.
It seems Jackson the musician would have enjoyed the notion of his songs reaching potentially twice as many people through two Cirque du Soleil shows–and it’s likely that Jackson the businessman would have been quite pleased by the financial implications as well.
For more on the business behind the King of Pop, sign up for news on my upcoming book, Michael Jackson, Inc (Simon & Schuster, 2014). You can also follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomal...ouble-the-fun/
Yes I understand you are responding to the teaser. I also understand that you are saying based on the teaser they need to have more acrobatics to make this show a lasting engagement that would attract the general public. I agree with you, but we do not know to what extent what we saw represents the main character of One.
I understand what Memefan is saying that she felt they should show something that grips people and make them want to go out & see this show. However, maybe that performance did grip masses of other people who like "white, glitter, Michael's voice & image, & dance." These are all subjective experiences.
We have to admit that as Cirque traveled, they remodeled the show as they saw what worked best, what audiences wanted, & what attracted the most attention, so don't you think that after all that experience they wouldn't pay attention to what would make One really work as a permanent show in Vegas?
Waw about the Robin Leach comment ^^. I believe that because I bought my ticket on the first pre-sale day for the first day performance and there was less than 20 choices for me to choose from in the orchestra. The whole area had the grey color indicating no available seats. I am very glad about the fan turnout, especially since the pre-sale was not blasted all over the media yet.
How about that book!! I did not understand who is writing it. Is it Branca or McClain, or both of them; I didn't get that part. Anyway a book showing what a good business man Michael was would be a welcome addition to my collection.
Last edited by Petrarose; 23-02-2013 at 04:44 PM.
The book is from Zack O'Malley Greenburg, the author of the article
http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomal...l-jackson-inc/
I hope it will be a great success for many.many years.
Michael , you are the one and only
"How much did I really know about life on earth? What responsibility did I feel for creatures outside my little space?
How could I lead my life so that every cell of living matter was also benefited?" Michael Jackson
"Love no violence ever, remember a beautiful future promise of tomorrow "MJ
stop the killing of pets. Save lifes,spay and neuter your pets
Adopt from an animalshelter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seEpf5L8x0M
I knew it was about a Cirque Du Soleil related project.
Last edited by passy001; 23-02-2013 at 09:30 PM.
^^Can you remember if it was us who started the news about a hologram, or was it the estate? Sometimes we write about things we would like, & the next thing you know, fans start posting it as though it is reality, then we forget it was just us daydreaming in the first place.
^ the Cirque President was talking about a mj hologram
I like how Michael is still reaching people all over the world.
not sure if this is what they are talking about, but the 2 guys working on Man in the mirror owns a 4D company and they have a website here
http://4dart.com/home.html
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