By Kiko Miyasato
Rio, 8:30 p.m. Sun.-Fri., $29.72, $36.99 VIP & $46.99 Golden Circle plus tax and fee. 702.777.7776
Michael Jackson appears to be alive and well in Las Vegas, but it’s actually Michael Firestone, a Jackson impersonator who performs in MJ Live inside the Rio Showroom. His performance is so uncanny that with each song, you can’t help but think you’re really seeing the King of Pop do the infamous moonwalk or the legendary “Thriller” dance moves. Firestone doesn’t lip-synch—a point that’s stressed because what your ears will tell you is that you’re listening to recorded tracks of the real deal. Most of Jackson’s biggest hits are here, including “Bad,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Man in the Mirror” and “Black or White.”
Each song is paired with the famous dance moves and signature clothing (red leather jacket, pin-striped white suit, fedora or sequined glove) that Jackson wore in the music videos. There’s even room for a tribute to the Jackson 5 era. In period costume, the group comes alive with Firestone leading a group of dancers taking on the role of the brothers, as they belt out “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and “I’ll Be There.”
By the end of the show you’ll remember why you are such a big fan of Jackson and his music, but you’ll also discover that you’re now a fan of Firestone, too.
