Entering Las Vegas via the southern tip of Las Vegas Boulevard, the first impressive building to greet us was the Mandalay Bay resort, stupendously displaying a single word across the top floors – Michael!
Mandalay Bay means business in landing Cirque Du Soleil’s masterpiece ‘Michael Jackson ONE,’ as their keynote, resident show and their advertisement campaign reflects this. Taxis, carriages on the mini-monorail connecting Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur, and the latest edition of the ‘MLife’ Magazine all carry the significant, essential image of the show. Michael is impossible to miss in Vegas!
When you enter the Mandalay Bay resort, you are hit by the elegance of the casino and the prominent signage to the ‘Michael Jackson ONE’ theatre, where the ‘ONE’ Cirque show plays almost nightly. ‘ONE’ in the short time since its official premiere in June, has gained the critical recognition of fans, press and saged Vegas visitors alike, as THE show to see in Vegas!
They are not wrong! The show is not being over-hyped at all as the overall emotion I felt as I reluctantly left the theatre was “WOW!” Or as they would say in America “AWESOME!”
Okay, I could be accused by some, as having a biased view, being a seasoned fan and a member of the MJWN News team, but I can objectively state – ‘Michael Jackson ONE’ has the WOW factor!
During visits to Vegas in recent years I have seen many Cirque Du Soleil productions, two dedicated to the music of other famous musicians, and in my opinion ‘ONE’ excels in many ways, mainly due to Michael’s music, Cirque’s exciting interpretation of Michael’s incredibly talented dancing and creativity, plus his message to the world, which are the underlying creative force separating this piece from its peers, resulting in the outstanding, dazzling show it is!
As you approach the’ Michael Jackson ONE’ theatre, there are long banners adorning the walls – images of Michael in ‘Black Or White’ pose, which is the significant emblem of the show! Others show performers from the cast.
On one side Michael artefacts are displayed, which are on loan from Michael’s Estate, and I noticed most of the audience stopped to scrutenise and admire Michael’s loafers and sparkling red jacket. Also here is the ‘ONE’ shop which sells a wide range of merchandise, from fedoras to t-shirts and trench coats to fridge magnets – there is something to suit most people’s taste and pocket.
Along the wall is a panoramic series of photos of Michael performing his signature ‘Billie Jean,’ which are breath-taking in their size and importance. As I gazed at these iconic photographs I recalled the emotions I felt when Michael performed his famous ‘Moonwalk,’ during ‘Billie Jean’ on stage at Wembley and around the world, wowing audiences with his strength and dynamic moves! Michael was a special person with the ability to mesmerise an audience!
Many people took the opportunity to photograph themselves alongside these…. little did they know what was waiting for them once stepping through the theatre doors into Michael’s world!
As you turn inwards towards the theatre doors there is yet another large dynamic photo of Michael pointing, plus I was able to glimpse the doors which are decorated with jacket fasteners – very Michael in design!
Once in the theatre foyer, the atmosphere changes to excitement, plus anticipation … here there is so much attention to detail before you even start experiencing the show itself – including all ushers dressed in Michael-style, gold-braided outfits including fedoras! I commented to one attendant;
“I bet you never thought you’d wear that uniform to work!” To which he replied; “I always knew I’d work for the man one day, I am honoured Mam!”
A strong feeling of respect and reverence for the main man, Michael, is very evident from all attendants, ushers, cast members and completes the vibes of the show itself.
After being greeted at the theatre doors, and given the red-carpet treatment you are instantly invaded by red-coated, black fedora wearing papparazzi, as you are caught up in Michael’s world and the innovation of the ‘ONE’ show. This is how it feels to be famous! Papparazzi are everywhere, stopping audience members in their tracks – invading their ‘Privacy!’
Stairs lead to the theatre, its walls etched with Michael’s song titles and silhouette paintings of famous Michael poses! Every opportunity is tastefully taken to introduce the audience to Michael’s realm and into the mood for the show of a lifetime!
The demographics of the audience were diverse from fans sporting fedoras to vacationers wearing shorts, enjoying the experience of a live Vegas show! Diverse in culture, origin and expectation – very much like the audience at one of Michael’s tour shows!
Once inside the theatre, I settled in my well-positioned seat – central and towards the rear of the front section, which by the way aren’t just the ordinary seats, as there are speakers that vibrate the entire music theme several decibels higher than it would normally play. Brilliant as a total fan of Michael’s music!
As I gazed around the auditorium, absorbing our surroundings – it was difficult to take everything in as there is so much going on! On either side of the stage were structures, reminiscent of the ‘Dangerous’ album cover and tour stage, plus large video screens flashing ridiculous newspaper headlines before us, making ludicrous statements and using evocative vocabulary such a LIAR, however, superimposing pictures of the audience itself!! Fun!
You are immediately focussed on one element of the show – invasion of privacy, which everyone deserves in their private time, unlike the life Michael faced during his privileged life of superstardom and the sad downside of worldwide fame! Papparazzi continued to pop up spontaneously with their large cameras and flashlights, even as people innocently chatted, abruptly a pap’s head would lean over their shoulders completely out of the blue – most people’s reaction was laughter or total shock! The sound of rumbling incessantly beat in the background to the papparazzi antics.
Meanwhile there on the stage before us was a magnified, swirling, floating image of a fedora, a pair of sunglasses, a sparkling sequin encrusted glove, not forgetting the sparking socks and loafers, around a single upturned stool, surrounded by spotlights….Michael’s signature, iconic emblems!
Read the rest of the review here: http://goo.gl/iWuE7J
{ SOURCE: MJWorld.net }
