Justin Bieber, in town for a concert Friday at
MGM grand watched the world premiere of Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson
One” at Mandalay Bay on Saturday night and said: “The show reminded us that he
was the greatest that ever did it. Incredible!”
Emails and tweets I received were nothing but praise
for Cirque’s eighth production on the Strip and raves for director and writer
Jamie King. “Outstanding! Ten times better than Jamie’s ‘Immortal’ arena show,
and we didn’t think they could beat that,” one top Las Vegas producer texted
me.
Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., Cirque officials,
agents from CAA in Hollywood, Madonna Manager Guy Oseary and Justin Manager
Scooter Braun told Jamie’s agent and manager, Daniel Sladek: “The ultimate
show. The absolute best. Impossible to top.”
On the red carpet, Cirque President Daniel Lamarre
told me: “It will run for 20 years like our first Las Vegas show, ‘Mystere.’ We
are celebrating its 20th soon. ‘Michael Jackson One’ is already boosting ticket
sales at other Cirque shows on the Strip. People come to see this, and then
they want to see all the other shows. This will play, Robin, long after we are
both gone. It will make Michael a hero all over again to people growing up now
who never heard of him.”
Mandalay Bay President Chuck Bowling added: “This is
absolutely wonderful for Las Vegas. It will make us an even bigger destination
for people around the world. Ticket sales, hotel and convention bookings are
great. I have never seen anything like its halo effect in all my years being in
the hospitality business. The show is so fantastic, I think it could be here
forever.”
Neil summed up what many of the stars felt:
This entirely new show is the second creative
project between Cirque and the Estate of Michael Jackson after the top-grossing
“Michael Jackson — The Immortal World Tour,” currently playing arenas in Asia.
It also is Jamie’s second Michael-Cirque production.
My review from the first night of previews was
posted May 24. Jamie; Welby Altidor, director of creation; and their crew
tweaked, polished and tightened it and added video, laser and sound effects. I
asked Jamie how he made it better when it was already at its best and how he
made two different shows out of the same superstar and his music.
Jamie and Welby’s team — Kevin Antunes, musical
director; Jonathan Deans, sound designer; Zaldy Goco, costume designer;
Nathalie Gagne, makeup designer; and choreographers Ivan “Flipz” Velez and Rich
and Tone Talauega — deserve credit for the masterpiece of theatrical genius
with its cast of 63 energetic dancers, athletes, acrobats and performers.
You’re immersed in the production as they work above, behind and alongside you
in the theater as well as onstage.
The state-of-the-art surround-sound environment is
riveting. You hear Michael as you’ve never heard him before in song and speech.
The ever-appearing and disappearing hologram of Michael is awesome.
I’d be remiss in not mentioning in its 30-year history. “Ka”
acrobat Sarah Guyard-Guillot, 31, died Saturday night at MGM Grand while Cirque
execs were celebrating the success of “MJ One.” In the final fight scene, she
fell more than 50 feet into a pit when a wire holding her on the vertical wall
snapped. Our condolences to her family, especially her two children, ages 8 and
5, and the Cirque family. “Ka” shows have been canceled until further notice.
Just hours before the premiere, I took a two-hour
backstage tour as final preparations were underway for “MJ One.” I talked with
Zaldy, watched rock guitar muse Gina Gleason in makeup and saw musical director
Kevin’s sophisticated sound booth.
Our thanks to contributing photographer Tom Donoghue
for his red carpet and backstage photo galleries and Richard Corey for his
videos posted on YouTube. I also interviewed Welby about Michael’s guiding
influence.
A white-summer-chic party was held at Mandalay Bay
Beach after the two VIP shows. MGM Resorts restaurants showcased food,
including chef Akira Back’s restaurant Kumi opening at Mandalay Bay this month.
Grammy winner Pharrell took the stage after midnight and performed his biggest
hits, including his current No. 1 collaboration “Blurred Lines” with Robin Thicke.
Partygoers danced into the early hours despite temperatures still reading
100-plus degrees.
“MJ One” is definitely Cirque’s best show ever. The
King of Pop would have been thrilled to have watched it or starred in it. His
creative genius endures.