Michael Jackson went from being the King of Pop to becoming one of the most posthumously revered entertainers in history, rivaled only by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. Jackson is a perfect fit for Cirque du Soleil production Michael Jackson ONE, because the gloved one was practically a one-man Cirque show himself. His history and beliefs lent themselves well to a thriller of an extravaganza with no shortage of what Jackson did best: dancing.
One of the reasons Michael Jackson One succeeds is the decision to have four protagonists whose lives will be touched by Jackson’s spirit. Each character—Clumsy, Smarty Pants, Shy and Sneaky—receives a gift from Jackson that leads to them to acquiring new abilities. They find they have double slackline skills, or new martial arts or dancing prowess, or encounter a spangled glove that seems to have a life of its own. The tale unfurls against a high-tech backdrop of futuristic expressionist design and culminates in a battle of light versus darkness. Don’t try to fight the moistness in your eyes that will occur during the show’s most poignant moments.
Mandalay Bay, 7 & 9:30 p.m. Thurs.-Mon., starting at $69 plus tax and fee. 877.632.7580
