Michael Jackson: One – Wikipedia

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Michael Jackson: One

Logo for Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson: One
Company Cirque du Soleil
Genre Contemporary circus
Show type Resident show
Date of premiere May 23, 2013
Location Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas Strip
Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
Writer and director Jamie King
Creation director Welby Altidor
Associate show director Carla Kama
Musical designer Kevin Antunes
Set and Props designer Francois Séguin
Costume designer Zaldy Goco
“Man in Mirror” scene creators Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon
Choreographers Travis Payne, Rich and Tone Talauega, Parris Goebel, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Ivan Velez, Olivier Simola
Acrobatic performance designers Germain Guillemot, Rob Bollinger
Acrobatic choreographers Ben Potvin, Andrea Ziegler
Projection designers Raymond St-Jean, Jimmy Lakatos
Lighting designer David Finn
Sound designer Jonathan Deans
Acrobatic equipment and rigging designer Pierre Masse
Makeup designer Nathalie Gagné
Preceded by Amaluna (2012)
Succeeded by Kurios (2014)
Official website

Michael Jackson: One is the second Michael Jackson-based production in Cirque du Soleil’s roster, after Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour. It was announced to the public and media on February 21, 2013.[1][2] In their continuing partnership with the Jackson estate, One evokes the entertainer’s artistic style in several manners. The new production began previews on May 23, 2013 and the official world premiere was June 29, 2013 at the Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. Like The Immortal World Tour, this production was also written and directed by Jamie King.[3] “Sneak peek” videos were released on the internet revealing numbers of the production, including “2 Bad”, “Stranger in Moscow”, “Bad”, and “Smooth Criminal”. However, unlike Immortal, the show only uses prerecorded tracks, with no live orchestra. This show is also the most dance-driven Cirque du Soleil show.

The show[edit]

The show’s plot is centered on four “misfits” who set out on a journey into Michael Jackson’s world and music. By journey’s end, they personify Jackson’s agility, courage, playfulness and love. These values are represented with his white gloves, white socks and black shoes, hat and sunglasses.

Each of four main characters receives an object from Jackson. First, Clumsy is given the shoes, and with his newfound balance, performs a double slackline act to “Bad.” Next, Shy overcomes her name when she receives Jackson’s glasses, and she vanquishes a troupe of warriors in a martial arts display set to “2000 Watts” and “Jam.” Then, Smarty Pants, the de facto leader of the four, puts on Jackson’s hat and is imbued with the artist’s legendary gracefulness in “Smile.” Finally, Sneaky, the troublemaker, performs a playful manipulation act with the rogue glove to “This Place Hotel” and “Workin’ Day and Night.”

Characters[edit]

  • Michael Jackson – the misfits’ spirit guide
  • Mephisto – the antagonist who represents the paparazzi and tabloid media
  • Clumsy – the misfit who gains balance with Jackson’s white socks and black loafers
  • Shy – the misfit who uses Jackson’s sunglasses to overcome her introversion
  • Smarty Pants – the de facto leader of the misfits; uses Jackson’s fedora to display gracefulness
  • Sneaky – the troublemaking misfit who performs a playful manipulation act using Jackson’s sparkly glove
  • Various villains – opponents whom the misfits encounter and must defeat to complete their adventurous journey
  • Warriors – The Heroes of The Show that utilize the white jackets and white fedoras to defeat the Mephisto

Setlist[edit]

*Also includes: “Ghosts” / “Somebody’s Watching Me” / “In the Closet” / “Why You Wanna Trip on Me”

  • Vortex – Intro
  • Beat It – Dance Number
  • Leave Me Alone/Tabloid Junkie/2 Bad – Dance Number
  • Stranger in Moscow – Spanish Web
  • Bad – Slack line
  • Smooth Criminal – Japanese Men’s Rhythmic Gymnastics
  • Human Nature – Contortion
  • Jam – Martial Arts
  • They Don’t Care About Us – March Routine
  • Earth Song – Shadow Puppets
  • Smile – Solo Dance
  • Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ – Trapeze Duet
  • The Way You Make Me Feel – Dance Number
  • Dirty Diana – Pole Dance
  • This Place Hotel – Glove Manipulation
  • Billie Jean – Glow-in-the-dark Dance Routine
  • Scream – Video Projection
  • Thriller – Trampoline
  • Speechless – Interlude
  • I Just Can’t Stop Loving You – Spanish Web
  • Man in the Mirror – Dance Number
  • Black or White – Finale

References[edit]

External links[edit]