Cirque du Soleil pays homage to the legendary Michael Jackson in its touring production: “Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour.” The show plays at the Baltimore Arena March 18 and 19.
Jamie King, the leading concert director in pop music, wrote and directed THE IMMORTAL World Tour. He created a show that combines the visual artistry and precision moves of Cirque du Soleil with the music and creativity of Michael Jackson, focusing on Jackson’s love of dance.
The IMMORTAL World Tour begins and ends with the music of Michael Jackson. The magical movement of the Cirque du Soleil cast is the vehicle, but according to Director King, “Michael’s voice is what drives the show.”
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The show is a departure from typical Cirque du Soleil performances, if one can call any Cirque performance “typical.” The body of the show is set as a rock concert in which the heart palpitating music shines alongside the creative acrobatics of the Cirque cast, fusing dance, music and theatre to excite long-time fans as well as newcomers.
From the costumes to the music to the choreography the audience will associate the show with a Michael Jackson concert. In fact, some of the dancers in the show had auditioned for Jackson over the years.
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The show centers on a fantastical place with a Giving Tree that is a metaphor for the way Michael Jackson viewed music and dance, as a way to inspire people to join together and share in an experience. The tale is woven through a series of scenes, featuring one Michael Jackson song after another, as the Cirque troupe performs.
It’s the music that keeps the show authentic to the theme. Jonathan “Sugarfoot” Moffett played drums for Michael Jackson for 30 years. That Moffett is part of the touring company is no accident. THE IMMORTAL’s musical director, Greg Phillinganes chose each member of the band with premeditation.
“I wanted to have as many players as possible with a direct, personal history with Michael Jackson,” explains Phillinganes.
Whether someone is a longtime fan of Jackson’s or hearing his music for the first time through THE IMMORTAL, the connection of the show to the King of Pop is undeniable.
Here’s a YouTube clip previewing Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour.
The show runs March 18 and 19, 8 p.m. at the Baltimore Arena. For ticket information, contact Ticketmaster. Ticket prices range from $50-175.
