- Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour
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Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour 
Company Cirque du Soleil Genre Contemporary circus Show type Touring show (2011-2012)
Resident (starting 2013)Date of premiere October 2, 2011 Location Touring (starting 2011)
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada (residential starting 2013)Creative team Writer and director Jamie King Creation director Chantal Tremblay Musical designer Kevin Autunes Musical director Greg Phillinganes Set designer Mark Fisher Props and scenic designer Michael Curry Costume designer Zaldy Goco Acrobatic performance designer Germain Guillemot Rigging and acrobatic equipment designer Scott Osgood Projection designer Olivier Goulet Lighting designer Martin Labrecque Sound designer François Desjardins Other information Preceded by Iris (2011) Succeeded by TBA Official website Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour is the official theatrical production by Cirque du Soleil which uses the music and vision of Michael Jackson along with Cirque du Soleil's signature acrobatic performance style to create a realistic concert experience. The arena show—which is very similar to a rock concert—began its tour October 2, 2011. After touring North America for about two years, it will continue on to Europe and the rest of the world. At the point in time it leaves North America, a resident show—which will be more theatrical in nature—will open in early 2013 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino located in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1] In addition to the resident show at the Mandalay Bay, Cirque du Soleil will also be opening up a Michael Jackson-inspired lounge.[2]
The Michael Jackson estate has partnered with Cirque du Soleil in order to create this concert experience. As part of the $250 million contract with Sony allowing music publishing until 2017, an album is expected to be produced.[3]
Contents
History
On November 2, 2010, Cirque du Soleil and his estate announced the development of The Immortal World Tour through Michael Jackson's official website. In a press release, the company stated, "A riveting fusion of visuals, dance, music and fantasy that immerses audiences in Michael’s creative world and literally turns his signature moves upside down, Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour unfolds Michael Jackson’s artistry before the eyes of the audience. Aimed at lifelong fans as well as those experiencing Michael’s creative genius for the first time, the show captures the essence, soul and inspiration of the King of Pop, celebrating a legacy that continues to transcend generations".[4]
Jamie King, the director and writer who had previously spearheaded tours by Madonna, Rihanna and Britney Spears, stated that he wanted to include Jackson's "giving tree" as the focus of the tour.[5]
As noted during an interview with Daniel Lamarre, within 24 hours of opening ticket sales for the show, Cirque du Soleil sold 200,000 tickets.[6]
Acts
The acts of The Immortal World Tour are staged to the music of Michael Jackson.[7] Cirque gathered a creative team of 10 high-profile choreographers, some of whom worked with Michael, to design the acts.[8]
- Childhood: The Mime awakens the inhabitants.
- Wanna Be Startin' Something: Dance and acrobatic number.
- Fanatics - Shake Your Body Down to the Ground: Five fanatics take pictures of the audience and try to get into the gates of Neverland.
- Dancing Machine: Welders perform on motorized cables.
- Ben: A celebration of Michael's love of animals.
- This Place Hotel: Aerial tango.
- Smooth Criminal: Dance routine.
- Dangerous: Pole-dancing act.
- Fanatics Medley: The fanatics are in a competition and are granted access to Neverland.
- Mime: Mime gains the talents of Michael and performs beatbox.
- Human Nature: Aerial act.
- Scary Story - Is It Scary: Contortion act.
- Bats - Threatened: Aerial act.
- Thriller: Free-running parkour act.
- Swans - I Just Can't Stop Loving You: Straps duo act.
- Beat It: The Fanatics manipulate Michael's iconic accessories.
- Jam: Hip-hop dance choreography with basketballs.
- Earth Song: Mime is tangled in the tree, which is now turned upside down.
- Scream: Tumbling and aerial act.
- Gone Too Soon: The Mime cradles four horses in this ballad.
- They Don't Care About Us: Dance choreography.
- Heal the World - Will You Be There: Artists descend onto the stage with glowing red hearts.
- Megamix - Can You Feel It/Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough/Billie Jean/Black Or White: Swiss rings act, dance choreography, and world dance styles.
- Man In The Mirror: Finale is a celebration of Michael Jackson.
Costumes
Zaldy Goco, The Immortal's costume designer, said the following in regards to his inspiration for the collection of 252 costumes: ”My approach has been to draw upon and respect Michael’s iconic style while creating something new and fresh. I placed subtle references throughout the costumes in the show."[9] The color palette chosen for the show is rich, lively, and ornate such as through the usage of gold and crystals. The design team explored such technologies as 3D printing and LED lighting for the many different colored pieces.
Highlights of the costumes range from 3D printing techniques to pyrotechnics being built into the designs.[9]
- Gangster types have 3D-printed surreal guns that shoot pyrotechniques the the triggers are pulled. The shoulder pads are also 3D-printed.
- The straps duo costumes are covered in Swarovski crystals, and were inspired by Michael's corseted wrist in the Black and White video.
- The bat costumes are created using ultra lightweight paper used for shipping parcels.
- The soldiers' costumes are primarily made of mytex on a polyester frame with padding.
- All the costumes in the Human Nature act are equipped with over 275 LED lights.
- The costumes for the welders was inspired by the red, zipper-clad jacket in Beat It.
Music
Main article: Immortal (Michael Jackson album)Tour
Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour premiered in Montréal, as all touring Cirque du Soleil shows do, on October 2, 2011.[10]
Arena tour
All currently published tour dates are to take place in North America.
2011 schedule
Montréal, QC - From 2 October 2011 to 3 October 2011 (show première)
Ottawa, ON - From 7 October 2011 to 9 October 2011
Hamilton, ON - From 12 October 2011 to 13 October 2011
Detroit, MI - 15 October 2011
London, ON - From 18 October 2011 to 19 October 2011
Toronto, ON - From 21 October 2011 to 23 October 2011
Winnipeg, MB - From 26 October 2011 to 27 October 2011
Saskatoon, SK - 29 October 2011
Edmonton, AB - From 1 November 2011 to 2 November 2011
Vancouver, BC - From 4 November 2011 to 6 November 2011
Seattle, WA - From 9 November 2011 to 10 November 2011
Spokane, WA - From 12 November 2011 to 13 November 2011
Eugene, OR - 15 November 2011
Portland, OR - From 18 November 2011 to 20 November 2011
Salt Lake City, UT - From 28 November 2011 to 29 November 2011
Las Vegas, NV - From 3 December 2011 to 27 December 2011
Phoenix, AZ - From 30 December 2011 to 31 December 20112012 schedule
Boise, ID - From 3 January 2012 to 4 January 2012
Denver, CO - From 6 January 2012 to 8 January 2012
Sacramento, CA - From 10 January 2012 to 11 January 2012
San Jose, CA - From 13 January 2012 to 15 January 2012
Oakland, CA - From 17 January 2012 to 18 January 2012
San Diego, CA - From 21 January 2012 to 22 January 2012
Anaheim, CA - From 24 January 2012 to 25 January 2012
Los Angeles, CA - From 27 January 2012 to 29 January 2012
St. Louis, MO - From 7 February 2012 to 8 February 2012
Houston, TX - From 10 February 2012 to 12 February 2012
New Orleans, LA - From 15 February 2012 to 16 February 2012
Tulsa, OK - From 18 February 2012 to 19 February 2012
Kansas City, MO - From 21 February 2012 to 22 February 2012
Indianapolis, IN - From 24 February 2012 to 25 February 2012
Miami, FL - 2 March 2012
Jacksonville, FL - 7 March 2012
Raleigh, NC - 10 March 2012
Charlotte, NC - 13 March 2012
Milwaukee, WI - From 16 March 2012 to 18 March 2012
Montréal, QC - From 20 March 2012 to 22 March 2012
Quebec, QC - From 24 March 2012 to 25 March 2012
Minneapolis, MN - From 27 March 2012 to 28 March 2012
Newark, NJ - From 30 March 2012 to 1 April 2012
New York City, NY - From 3 April 2012 to 5 April 2012
Long Island, NY - From 7 April 2012 to 8 April 2012
Philadelphia, PA - From 10 April 2012 to 11 April 2012
Pittsburgh, PA - From 13 April 2012 to 15 April 2012
State College, PA - From 24 April 2012 to 25 April 2012
Baltimore, MD - 5 May 2012
Worcester, MA - From 16 May 2012 to 17 May 2012
Dayton, OH - From 6 June 2012 to 7 June 2012
Columbus, OH - From 9 June 2012 to 10 June 2012
Austin, TX - 15 June 2012
San Antonio, TX - 23 June 2012
Atlanta, GA - 29 June 2012
Montréal, QC - From 6 July 2012 to 7 July 2012
Washington, DC - From 13 July 2012 to 15 July 2012
Cleveland, OH - From 17 July 2012 to 18 July 2012
Chicago, IL - From 20 July 2012 to 21 July 2012References
- ^ "Cirque: Michael Jackson show to debut at Mandalay Bay in 2013". Las Vegas Weekly. 2011-04-21. http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/luxe-life/2011/apr/21/cirque-confirms-michael-jackson-show-debut-mandala/. Retrieved 2011-04-21.
- ^ "Michael Jackson celebrated in Las Vegas - Mandalay Bay, Cirque du Soleil and the estate of Michael Jackson Confirm Plans". Cirque du Soleil (Press Release). 2011-04-27. http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/press/news/2011/mj-in-mandalay-bay.aspx. Retrieved 2011-04-29.
- ^ "Michael Jackson Estate, Sony Strike Massive $250 Million Deal to Release King of Pop's Music". Rolling Stone. 2010-03-16. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jackson-estate-sony-strike-massive-250-million-deal-to-release-king-of-pops-music-20100316. Retrieved 2011-04-21.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE PRE-SALE - Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil". Michael Jackson News. 2010-11-02. http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/node/986079. Retrieved 2011-04-21.
- ^ "About the Show". Cirque du Soleil. http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/michael-jackson-tour/show/about.aspx. Retrieved 2011-04-21.
- ^ "Cirque du Soleil goes 3D with James Cameron (Q&A)". CNET. 2011-04-18. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-20054454-52.html. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
- ^ "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour - Scenes" (PDF). Cirque du Soleil Press Material. http://static01.cirquedusoleil.com/en/~/media/press/PDF/michael-jackson-tour/scenes.pdf. Retrieved 2011-10-08.
- ^ McGee, Susan (2011). "Pop Reign". Inside Cirque du Soleil Fall 2011: 24.
- ^ a b "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour - Costumes". Cirque du Soleil Press Kit. http://static01.cirquedusoleil.com/en/~/media/press/PDF/michael-jackson-tour/costumes.pdf. Retrieved 2011 Oct 11.
- ^ "Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour Tickets". Cirque du Soleil. http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/michael-jackson-tour/tickets.aspx. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
External links
Coordinates: 36°05′30″N 115°10′29″W / 36.09167°N 115.17472°W
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