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Story by Andy Argyrakis In the first of two packed shows at Chicago's United Center (where it returns on Saturday, July 21), no less than 63 musicians, dancers, acrobats and specialty artists (including five actual MJ band members) took an impassioned two hour trip through Jackson's celebrated catalogue. Add in 35 trucks worth of production that switched grandly every few performance pieces, and it's surely the largest operation on the road right now. While the show was certainly sizeable enough to reach even those in the furthest of rafters, there was still plenty of warmth thanks a soundtrack ripe with full or snippet renditions of more than 35 tunes that traced The Jackson 5 through solo superstardom. Writer/director Jamie King (Jackson, Prince and 12 years with Madonna) did a remarkable job sculpting the set list to evoke a concert environment, which coupled with the cast's intricate dances, acrobatics and contortions, made for an evening that was just as musical as it was visual. After blasting off with a megamix of hits, fans were given a flashback to the star's formative years with a mime arousing the audience's curiosity to the ever so appropriate sounds of "Childhood." From there, the dance party revved up to the throbbing beats of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and the colorfully choreographed "Dancing Machine," which took the thrills to the next level thanks to a little help from some motorized, robot-like cables. Another major highlight in the first act was a J5 medley of "I Want You Back," "ABC" and "The Love You Save," followed by some breathtaking aerial stunts throughout "Human Nature," accented with synchronized blinking lights on each of the dancer's suits. Live action scenes inspired by the ghoulish "Thriller" video also delighted just prior to intermission, though the second half is when Jackson's songwriting genius, along with his humanitarian spirit, really leapt to life. "Earth Song" served as a socially conscious scene that urged everyone to preserve the planet's natural resources, reinforced even more poignantly when introduced by the star's self-penned "Planet Earth" poem. In the wake of his untimely passing, "I'll Be There" came across as the bittersweet moment of the night, especially as a video of a youthful Michael performing the song melded gorgeously with simply live keyboard accompaniment. Even so, "Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour" ended on several celebratory notes with the crowd grooving to an elaborate, circus-styled rings act centered around bits of "Can You Feel It" and "Don't Stop ÔTil You Get Enough," alongside plenty of moonwalking during "Billie Jean" and flag-waving throughout "Black Or White." Add in a jubilant finale of "Man In The Mirror" where the entire entourage gallantly sang and bowed their way through a moving salute, and there was simply no better way to celebrate the legacy of possibly the world's greatest all around entertainer. Upcoming tour dates for Cirque du Soleil's "Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour" are as follows with full details and ticket information at www.cirquedusoleil.com/michaeljackson. |
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| "Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour" | ||
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Chicago, IL US Opens on July 20, 2012 Ottawa, ON CA Opens on July 24, 2012 Toronto, ON CA Opens on July 27, 2012 Buffalo, NY US Opens on July 31, 2012 Boston, MA US Opens on August 03, 2012 Vancouver, BC CA Opens on August 10, 2012 Los Angeles, CA US Opens on August 14, 2012 Salt Lake City, UT US Cancelled Mexico City MX Opens on August 24, 2012 London UK Opens on October 12, 2012 Herning DK Opens on October 24, 2012 Copenhagen DK Opens on October 27, 2012 Stockholm SE Opens on November 02, 2012 Helsinki FI Opens on November 05, 2012 |
St-Petersburg RU Opens on November 09, 2012 Frankfurt DE Opens on November 16, 2012 Oberhausen DE Tuesday, November 20, 2012 Munich DE Opens on November 24, 2012 Hanover DE Wednesday, November 28, 2012 Vienna AT Opens on December 01, 2012 Mannheim DE Wednesday, December 05, 2012 Leipzig DE Opens on December 08, 2012 Hamburg DE Opens on December 11, 2012 Cologne DE Opens on December 15, 2012 Berlin DE Opens on December 19, 2012 Madrid DE Opens on December 26, 2012 Moscow RU Opens on January 22, 2013 Prague CZ Opens on February 08, 2013 Barcelona ES Opens on April 17, 2013 | |