It’s official: Jackson-themed Cirque show coming
Promising to make Mandalay Bay "the home of Michael Jackson in many, many ways," Cirque du Soleil President Daniel Lamarre and the late superstar's management announced their tribute to the gloved one won't stop at two shows, but will throw in an interactive attraction and a Jackson-themed lounge.
A Wednesday news conference confirmed one of the Strip's worst-kept secrets: Mandalay Bay will host the still-untitled Jackson-themed Cirque set to debut in 2013, in the theater where "The Lion King" will play through this year.
The permanent show follows a different, touring version designed for sports arenas called "The Immortal," which will park for most of December at Mandalay Bay Events Center.
"Michael had a great affinity for Cirque," said John Branca, co-executor of Jackson's estate. "In my opinion, a couple of the Cirque shows I've seen are the best shows that have ever been made. Our intention is to top that."
"There's no such thing as completely risk-free, but truth be told this is about as exciting an announcement as we can pin our hopes on for the future," said Mandalay Bay President Chuck Bowling.
The two-phase plan for the Jackson show had been previously laid out, so the news conference was more about supplemental details than big news. New developments include:
■ Michael Jackson All Access will be an attraction developed with Ubisoft, the company behind the big-selling new dance game "Michael Jackson The Experience." Backpedaling away from the word "museum," officials said the attraction -- which opens with the permanent show in 2013 in an area of the hotel to be determined -- will combine displays of Jackson's memorabilia with interactive games, such as the chance to dance alongside the King of Pop.
■ "The Immortal" tour stop will coincide with the Michael Jackson Fan Fest, starting Dec. 3. It's the first fan gathering and exhibition authorized by the estate and will include items from Neverland Ranch and re-created sets from his music videos.
■ Much as the Revolution Lounge continues the theme of the Beatles tribute "Love" at The Mirage, Cirque and the Jackson estate will open a themed lounge in a yet-to-be chosen area of Mandalay Bay.
■ The two shows will be so distinct that the second, permanent version will have a different director. The touring "Immortal" is helmed by Jamie King, a choreographer who has worked with Madonna, Britney Spears and Rihanna.
"Jamie is the best director in the world in term of arena shows ... that's his expertise," said Lamarre, Cirque's president and chief operating officer. "For the permanent show, we are looking to a director that would bring a better theatrical approach to the show."
The director has not yet been selected, and the creative team should be announced this fall, he added.
The permanent show also will focus more on technology than the touring show's arena-concert dynamics. "Michael was always pushing the boundaries of creativity by doing some breakthrough. That's the responsibility we feel we have with the Michael Jackson personality, is to create those breakthroughs," Lamarre said.
"Right now we're exploring a lot of different technologies," including 3-D and holograms, he added. Companies such as Sony and Samsung are "developing technology at such a rapid pace that 2013 for them is quite far."
Lamarre said the current theater at Mandalay will not dramatically alter the audience seating area. "We want to put the money on the stage," he said. "Here we're starting with a theater that's in good shape, so we don't have to touch the seating at all."
Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at
mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.
