As you wind your way through Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, you realize that you are about to have a Michael Jackson experience (and not with a Wii game.) The signs point you in the right direction as you head to the box office with “Michael Jackson One” in prominent position over the desk. But, even before you get to the desk, there is a Michael Jackson slot machine in your view. Regardless of how you feel about gambling associated with Michael Jackson, it is an impressive sight and was very popular. The hallway leading up to the theater is carpeted in regal style and the sign that we were looking for was for the “Michael Jackson One” store. It has a great selection of Michael Jackson merchandise, much of which can only be purchased on-line. It was a rare treat to have it all in one place. The apparel is well done and there is something that will appeal to everyone. There is lots of sparkle on the t-shirts which are of good quality with the added bonus of more stylish designs beyond the standard shirts available. We were disappointed to see that “Blood On The Dance Floor” was not available as a CD but all of Michael’s other solo albums were there. The book selection was also very good including Joe Vogel’s Man In the Music.
As you continue to the theater, Michael is represented throughout with his costumes under glass, his shoes and a series of large poses representing the progression of dance steps for “Billie Jean.” Upon reaching the theater, there are paparazzi there to greet you and will follow you into the theater. As you make your way to your seat, a few unlucky souls, me included, get a camera stuck in their face. Subsequently, you may find your startled face on the cover of a tabloid that is displayed upon the screens located on either side of main stage. Invasive paparazzi continue to harass the spectators throughout the show giving the audience a fleeting glimpse of what Michael Jackson had to endure for over 40 years of his life.
As described in many reviews, there are speakers in the rear of your seat and directly in front of you. No seat is a bad seat in a newly refurbished theater seating less than 2000 people. The seats are staggered so that you do not look at the back of the head of the person in front of you. “Michael Jackson One” raises the bar high for other shows to reach with its cutting edge audio, video, and light technology.
From the very first note until the end of the show, your senses are completely immersed in Michael Jackson. Some early reviews implied that only Michael’s number one hits are utilized in the show but his catalog is well represented including songs from the album, “Invincible.” Although many fan favorites are there such as “Beat It,” “Thriller,” and “Billie Jean,” I was really happy to see that “Dirty Diana” (yes, it was a number one song but most people forget that), “Stranger In Moscow” and “Speechless” were included in the show. The song list will satisfy both casual fans and deeper fans.
There is definitely a plot that utilizes Michael’s exceptionally creative iconographic symbols. Four individuals embark on an enlightening journey, much like the characters in the “Wizard of Oz,” to find the greatness inside of each of them with a great deal of help from Michael’s “spirit” along the way.
The show’s amazing athletes are Cirque at its finest, both dancers and acrobats. The use of trampolines in the “Thriller” number is enthralling and is one of the best parts of the show. Although there is more use of Michael’s video image in Cirque’s “Immortal” show, the “Michael Jackson One” show uses less video of him but it is used very effectively. On a personal note, if Michael had been on the screen more, I would have been looking at him and not the show. For “Billie Jean,” there is no adequate substitute for Michael performing it and Cirque wisely recognizes that and incorporates Michael himself on film into this part of the show. The dancers in light-up costumes finish off the number and it works perfectly.
Much has been said, both positive and negative, about the Michael Jackson “hologram” that appears in the show. It is an illusion and has not really been marketed as a hologram. I knew about it ahead of time so was watching for it. As so many of us have watched Michael Jackson for many hours, we know his body style and moves and nobody moves as fluidly and beautifully as Michael. The illusion appears to be Michael but to those of us who spend so much time watching him, you will know that it is not him. However, it plays a very important role in tying together the story and is very well done. Michael and pixie dust….a perfect combination.
Here are a few media reviews written recently about the “Michael Jackson One” show:
Robin Leach review-5/24/13
Zack O’Malley Greenburg-Forbes review-5/24/13 http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/05/24/michael-jacksons-hologram-rocks-las-vegas-arena/
Opening night review-6/29/13
Las Vegas Review Journal-7/3/13
http://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/shows/michael-jackson-one-charms-dazzles
Michael Jackson One Review in Financial Times-7/8/13
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/e57b85e2-df13-11e2-881f-00144feab7de.html#axzz2YU2oyek8
The moment the show ended, I knew that I would need to see it again and again. There is so much going on that you can easily miss things. It is impossible to know where to look or listen first. “Michael Jackson One” is an absolute “must-see” show and the critics agree.
P.S. On a more critical note, traveling around Las Vegas and cruising the strip, there are not enough references to the “Michael Jackson One” show. The Mirage has huge signage on the hotel advertising the “Beatles Love” show. Mandalay Bay’s external advertising was less obvious. Our group definitely agreed that we would like to see more of MJ One throughout Las Vegas, although there was a large billboard advertising the show as you were leaving the airport to travel to the city.
MJ Truth Now 