MJ and The Cirque du Soleil

Zitat von Supergirl_Katie

perfekt wäre es natürlich gewesen wenn es nächstes jahr schon in Las Vegas laufen würde

..wir können ja noch schieben..;D

Michael Jackson: Cirque Du Soleil Show ohne *****s Vater?22.04.2010, 10:42 Uhr

Michael Jackson wird vom legendären Cirque Du Soleil geehrt: Sie wollen eine Michael Jackson Show auf die Beine stellen. *****s Vater scheint aber daran nicht besonders interessiert.

Michael Jackson im Cirque Du Soleil: Der legendäre Artistenzirkus will eine Show zur Ehrung von Michael Jackson auf die Beine stellen. Erst vor wenigen Tagen wurde bekannt, dass sie Songs aus Michael Jackson Repertoire dafür verwenden dürfen. Joe Jackson, der Vater von Michael Jackson, scheint nicht besonders interessiert an diesen Neuigkeiten zu sein: „Ich werde mir das nicht ansehen“, so Joe Jackson gegenüber „Popeater“.

Michael Jacksons Mutter Katherine dagegen gefällt die Idee sehr, dass der Cirque Du Soleil eine Show über Michael Jackson plant: „Unsere Familie ist wahnsinnig aufgeregt, dass der Cirque Du Soleil meinen Sohn auf so eine tolle Weise ehren will!“ Die Show soll noch in diesem Jahr in Las Vegas gezeigt werden. Zudem wollen sie ab 2011 auf Tournee gehen.

Michael Jackson gilt als einer der erfolgreichsten Künstler der Popgeschichte. Am 25. Juni 2009 starb er in einer Klinik in Los Angeles. Zurzeit läuft ein Gerichtsverfahren gegen seinen Arzt Dr. Conrad Murray, der Michael Jacksons Tod angeblich durch eine Überdosis des Medikaments Propofol herbeigeführt haben soll.

Joe Jackson Confused About Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson Tribute Show

Joe Jackson doesn't want his son Michael Jackson's life being turned into a circus.

The music executive – whose pop legend son died from acute Propofol intoxication last June – is confused as to why the Canadian performance troupe Cirque du Soleil want to travel the world with a show about Michael's life.

He said: "That's something else, isn't it? I won't see it."

On Tuesday (20.04.10) it was revealed the circus group had made a deal with Michael's estate, which will see the production become a residency in Las Vegas from 2012 and will feature expansive acrobatics and dance routines set to the late King of Pop's songs.

While Joe is unhappy with the show, his wife Katherine Jackson is delighted about the show, which will see Michael's estate receive 50 per cent of the profits.

She said: "Our family is thrilled that Cirque du Soleil will pay tribute to my son in such an important way."

Meanwhile, it has been revealed filmmaker Spike Lee was so traumatised by the pop star's death, he has penned new movie 'Brooklyn Loves You, Michael Jackson' about the incident.

Hollywood actor Samuel L. Jackson – who is reportedly being lined up for a role in the upcoming film – has revealed Spike's "depression" after Michael's passing inspired him to put pen to paper.

He said: "Spike was bent out of shape about Michael Jackson's death for a long time. He was depressed.

"I guess the depression set him into writing that story. He was disturbed by it."

The film will be about a group of people who plan to throw a concert for the pop superstar, but who are "worried about the kind of element that might be coming into the neighborhood".

Samuel also revealed his screen wife is expected to be portrayed by Julianne Moore.

He added: "We had a power meeting. We talked about it and I read the script. So it should be OK."

Joe Jackson Confused About Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson Tribute Show

Hier der Artikel, der im Thema "Presseschnipsel und andere kleine Infos zu Michael" bereits auf englisch gepostet wurde auf deutsch:

Zitat

Cirque du Soleil "Michael Jackson" Show: Neue Informationen
21.10.10

Im April 2010 hat Cirque du Soleil die Partnerschaft mit der Nachlassverwaltung von Michael Jackson angekündigt. Diese Partnerschaft beinhaltet eine Planung von einer großen Show von Cirque du Soleil mit dem Thea „Michael Jackson“. Nun wurden genauere Informationen über diese Planungen bekannt.

Cirque du Soleil Chef Daniel Lamarre hat die Starttermine der zwei neuen Shows mit dem Thema „Michael Jackson“ bestätigt, die in Las Vegas zu Gast sein werden. Die erste Show, eine Art Rock – Konzert, wird am 15. Dezember 2011 beginnen und die Eintrittskarten dafür wird es schon ab dem 03. November 2010 geben

Eine offizielle Ankündigung wird es am 03. November 2010 in Los Angeles geben. Vegas DeLuxe informiert darüber, dass die Eintrittskarten zeitgleich in 25 Städten verkauft werden. Diese Show soll die größte und längste Musikshow der Geschichte werden, die man in Las Vegas zu sehen bekommt. Eine Tour für Nordamerika und der ganzen Welt ist für ganze 4 Jahre geplant!

Die zweite Variante der Show wird eine ständige Show in Las Vegas sein, die aber erst 2013 starten soll. Cirque du Soleil haben für diese Show mehr als 100 Millionen US-Dollar für die Entwicklung ausgegeben. Weitere 150 Millionen US-Dollar sollen für die Bühnenkonstruktionen und weiteren Theater-Produktionen ausgegeben werden.

Die Michael Jackson Konzert Show wird zweimal abends für zwei Monate im umgebauten Mandalay Bay Events Center mit nur 8000 Sitzplätzen gezeigt. Die Verhandlungen mit MGM für ein Hotel, das die zweite Heimat der Michael Jackson Show werden soll, sind noch nicht abgeschlossen. Diese Entscheidung wird erst gemacht, wenn man gesehen hat, wie die erste Show weltweit ankommt.

Robin Leech sprach mit dem Cirque Chef über die Michael Jackson Shows.

Robin Leach: Nun kommt Michael Jackson – zwei Michael Jackson Shows. Die erste Show kommt hier nach Mandalay Bay für eine kleine Weile, bevor es mit der Tour losgeht. Die zweite Show wird ständig in Las Vegas sein. Haben Sie sich bereits dazu entschieden, welches Hotel die Heimat der Show werden soll?

Daniel Lamarre: Wir kämpfen noch immer mit der abschließenden Entscheidung. Wir sind noch in Gesprächen mit den Leuten von MGM. Ich denke, die Arena-Show wird ein guter Test für uns sein, und es wird sicherlich einen Einfluss auf die endgültige Entscheidung für MGM haben.

RL: Wann fängt die Mandalay Bay Show an?

DL: Die erste Show eröffnet am 15. Dezember 2011. Die zweite Show beginnt Anfang 2013. Die erste Arena-Show wird eine Tour in Nordamerika für zwei Jahre sein und danach geht es nach Europa und den Rest der Welt. Dann wird die permanente Show hier eröffnet, in einem Hotel, das noch nicht benannt worden ist.

RL: Welchen Unterschied wird es in dieser Show gegenüber der Tournee geben?

DL: Die Arena-Tour wird so ähnlich wie ein Rockkonzert sein, zu dem man geht. Unser Publikum wird das Gefühl haben, als ob Michael Jackson noch lebt. Die permanente Show wird mehr theatralisch sein. Wir schauen uns gerade nach einer Menge neuer Technologien um, was wir dann das erste Mal in Las Vegas zeigen möchten.

RL: Wie weit sind Sie mit der Entwicklung der beiden Shows in diesem Moment?

DL: Für die Arena Show sind wir bereits fertig. Das Konzept steht. Alle Parteien sind damit einverstanden. Mit den Proben fangen wir diesen Dezember in Montreal an. Für die permanente Show sind wir gerade dabei die neuen Technologien zu erkunden, die wir nach Las Vegas bringen möchten. Das vorläufige Konzept für die Theater-Show steht, aber je nachdem, wie weit wir mit den neuen Technologien gehen, wird dies das Konzept der zweiten Show beeinflussen.

RL: Jetzt, wo wir vor Monaten schon einmal darüber gesprochen haben, habe ich gesagt, es würde 3D Techniken in der Show geben, wo das Publikum von der gesamten Show quasi umringt wird?

DL: Ja, das ist richtig. Wir möchten die neuesten besten Technologien nutzen, die man noch nie zuvor in solchen theatralischen Aufführungen genutzt und gesehen hat. Es gibt eine Menge Gespräche mit verschiedenen Firmen, um zu sehen, wer uns mit den Technologien beliefern kann, die wir benötigen.

RL: Jetzt wo das Konzept der Konzertshows zu 100% steht, ist es mit oder ohne Michael Jackson?

DL: Michael Jackson wird auf Video dabei sein und dann werden wir die Technologien miteinbringen, wo man dann denkt, er wäre direkt unter uns.

RL: Aber keine Imitatoren oder Leute, die sich wie er anhören.

DL: Die Leute wollen den wahren Michael sehen und der wahre Michael wird sehr, sehr gegenwärtig auf den Videos sein. Seine Nachlassverwalter haben das Konzept der Show ankzeptiert, welches eine große Erleichterung für uns ist. Wir sind nicht nur glücklich damit, dass sie sie angenommen haben, aber wir sind auch glücklich, dass sie von dem Konzept der Show begeistert sind. Es wird eine 90 – minütige Show mit allen großen Hits geben. Die Show wird etwa 72 Künstler zeigen: Tänzer, Musiker und Akrobaten.

RL: Wird etwas dabei sein, was Michael Jackson für seine „This Is It“ Shows in London entwickelt hat?

DL: Wir haben manche Videos, die für die London Shows vorgesehen waren und die wir in die neue Show integrieren möchten.

RL: Über was werden wir am meisten erstaunt sein?

DL: Ich denke, die Herausforderung besteht darin, das Gefühl den Leuten zu geben, dass Michael auf der Bühne ist. Wir werden alles dafür tun, in Sachen Video und Technologien, um seine Anwesenheit zum Leben zu erwecken.

RL: Haben Sie etwas von der Präsentation Viva Elvis gelernt, um dies bei den Michael Jackson Shows anzuwenden?

DL: Wenn man „Love“ oder „Elvis“ nimmt ist die Herausforderung immer das Repräsentative dieser Ära. Michael ist offensichtlich von einer ganz anderen Ära als Elvis. Und wir müssen sicherstellen, dass, wenn Michael auf der Bühne wäre, das, was er abliefern würde. Es wird er sein, als wenn er heute da wäre.

RL: Wann gehen die Eintrittskarten in den Verkauf?

DL: Ab dem 03. November 2010 werden wir für die Arena-Show in Mandalay Bay die Karten verkaufen. In Mandalay Bay und überall in Nordamerika. Wir haben zwei Shows pro Nacht für zwei Monate bei 8.000 Sitze bei jeder Aufführung zu verkaufen. Das ist die Herausforderung. Wir haben die Sitzplätze limitiert, weil wir die Nähe des Publikums zur Bühne ermöglichen wollen.

Das wird wie eine wahre Rock and Roll Tournee. Dutzende von Lastwagen - weit über 30 - mit Bühnenbildern und Ausstattungen, werden in Las Vegas eintreffen genau so, wie es sein wird, wenn wir um die Welt reisen. Zwei Jahre geht die Tournee in Nordamerika und dann noch zwei Jahre in globalen Metropolen. Eine monumentale, vierjährige Weltreise! Es ist eine große Herausforderung - die größte, die wir je unternommen haben, aber wir sind sehr aufgeregt.

RL: Ich muss immer die Geldfrage stellen. Was sind denn die Kosten für beide Shows?

DL: Wir sprechen von 100 Millionen US-Dollar für beide Shows – das ist nur für die Produktion. Dann die Kosten für die Theater für beide Shows werden so zwischen 100 -150 Millionen US-Dollar liegen.

Daniel hat mich zu den Proben nach Montreal eingeladen, um die Proben für die Arena Shows anzuschauen. Die gegenwärtigen Zeitpläne sagen, dass die vorläufigen Proben im Dezember beginnen und die Generalproben nächsten Sommer (2011) sein werden, bevor die Show im Herbst 2011 in die Veranstaltungshalle geht.

Als wir zusammen die „Treasure Island“ Show im Mystere Theater mit 8000 Zuschauern ansehen, fragte ich ihn, warum die Show so scheint, das es die beste Show, die jemals gemacht worden ist.

DL: Es ist erstaunlich, ich konnte die Emotionen fühlen, weil ich die Künstler vor der Show traf. Ich weiß, wie emotional sie über die 8000 Zuschauer waren und ich habe die Reaktion des Publikums gesehen. Standing Ovations die ganze Zeit. Was für mich erstaunlich ist, ist, dass die Magie immer noch funktioniert. Die Künstler sind weiterhin von jeder Vorstellung begeistert.

Quelle: Las Vegas Weekly & JAM-FC

Alles anzeigen

Bin echt gespannt.. Von Cirque du Soleil erwarte ich vom Prinzip her immer das Beste.

Cirque Du Soleil -- Michael Jackson Immortalized

Cirque Du Soleil is unveiling the images that will drive what could be the biggest show under the big top ever -- driven by Michael Jackson's music ... and TMZ got hold of the image that will drive the production.

(bilder)
Cirque Du Soleil -- Michael Jackson Immortalized | TMZ.com

The world tour is a partnership between the MJ Estate and Cirque -- each sharing 50% of the profits. It will kick off in the Fall of next year in Canada, and work its way south to the US of A.

The show will end up with a permanent home at the MGM Mirage hotel in Las Vegas -- probably in late 2012. Cirque has already released sketches of what the show will look like.

This project -- unlike some others -- got the thumbs up from Katherine Jackson.

und noch ein Bild der Entwürfe:

Wie unfair und ich bin im April 2011 in Vegas

OMG da will ich hin...danke für die coolen Bilder und das updated Video
....ich mag zwar Las Vegas nicht besonders....aber dafür würde ich da hinfahren....und wahrscheinlich die ganze Zeit heulen

Hier mal die offizielle Presseveröffentlichung:

Press Release:

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY JAMIE KING
TOUR BEGINS IN OCTOBER 2011

Exclusive Presale Window Starts Today for Cirque Club Members and MichaelJackson.com subscribers

General Onsale Begins Saturday, November 6 in 30 Cities

Montreal, November 3, 2010 – The Estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil announced today the official international launch of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour™ written and directed by Jamie King, the leading concert director in pop music today. This once-in-a-lifetime electrifying production will combine Michael Jackson music and choreography with Cirque du Soleil creativity to give fans worldwide a unique view into the spirit, passion and heart of the artistic genius who forever transformed global pop culture.

A riveting fusion of visuals, dance, music and fantasy that immerses audiences in Michael’s creative world and literally turns his signature moves upside down, Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour unfolds Michael Jackson’s artistry before the eyes of the audience. Aimed at lifelong fans as well as those experiencing Michael’s creative genius for the first time, the show captures the essence, soul and inspiration of the King of Pop, celebrating a legacy that continues to transcend generations.

THE IMMORTAL World Tour takes place in a fantastical realm where we discover Michael’s inspirational Giving Tree—the wellspring of his creativity. The secrets of Michael’s inner world are unlocked—his love of music and dance, fairy tale and magic, and the fragile beauty of nature.

The underpinnings of THE IMMORTAL World Tour are Michael Jackson’s powerful, inspirational music and lyrics—the driving force behind the show—brought to life with extraordinary power and breathless intensity. Through unforgettable performances Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour underscores Michael’s global messages of love, peace and unity.

In selecting Jamie King as Writer and Director for Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour— which will feature 60 international performers—, The Estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil chose a director Variety called one of the most influential “movers and shakers” in the music industry, and the “Jerry Bruckheimer of tent-pole concert tours". A multiple Emmy Award® and MTV Video Music Award® nominee, and greatly influenced by his early years working for both Prince and Michael Jackson, he has choreographed some of the most popular music videos and directed some of the highest grossing concert tours of all time. For the past 12 years, he has served as Madonna's creative director, having most recently directed her 2008 Sticky & Sweet world tour, as well as her 2006 record-breaking Confessions world tour and hit music video, Sorry. He most recently directed Rihanna's Last Girl On Earth world tour, Celine Dion’s Taking Chances world tour, The Return of the Spice Girls reunion tour, Britney Spears' Circus tour and Avril Lavigne’s Best Damn tour. He previously directed and choreographed world tours for Madonna (Re-Invention and Drowned World); Asian superstar Rain (Rain’s Coming); Ricky Martin (Black & White and La Vida Loca); Pink (Try This); Christina Aguilera (Back to Basics and Stripped); and his first collaboration with Britney Spears (Oops! I Did It Again). He has worked with an array of superstars including Mariah Carey, Shakira, George Michael, Elton John, Diana Ross, Jennifer Lopez and even Ellen DeGeneres. This is Jamie’s first show with Cirque du Soleil.

Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour will call on the diverse talents of the following creative minds: (see last page for creators’ bios)
Guy Laliberté – Creative Guide
Jamie King – Writer and Director
Chantal Tremblay – Director of Creation
Mark Fisher – Set Designer
Zaldy Goco – Costume Designer
Kevin Antunes – Musical Designer
Martin Labrecque – Lighting Designer
Olivier Goulet – Projection Designer
François Desjardins – Sound Designer
Scott Osgood – Rigging and Acrobatic Equipment Designer
Germain Guillemot – Acrobatic Performance Designer
Michael Curry – Props Designer

Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour will begin in Montreal in October 2011 and travel to select North American cities including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver. Additional cities and dates will be announced.

For three days only, Cirque Club members and MichaelJackson.com subscribers will have exclusive access to purchase presale tickets online beginning Wednesday, November 3 at 10am Eastern Daylight Time.

Cirque Club membership is free and benefits include access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information. To join, go to Cirque Club | Cirque du Soleil
.
Starting Saturday, November 6 at 12pm local time, tickets will go on sale to the public for the cities and dates listed below.

For complete tour and ticket information, visit
Cirque du Soleil Official Website | Choose your country
or Michael Jackson | The Official Michael Jackson Site
The tour schedule is subject to change.

2011 TOUR SCHEDULE

October 2-3 Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
October 7 Ottawa, ON - Scotiabank Place
October 12 Hamilton, ON - Copps Coliseum
October 15 Detroit, MI - Joe Louis Arena
October 18 London, ON - John Labatt Centre
October 21 Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
October 26 Winnipeg, MB - MTS Centre
October 29 Saskatoon, SK - Credit Union Centre
November 1 Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place
November 4 Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena
November 9 Seattle, WA - KeyArena
November 18 Portland, OR - Rose Garden
November 29 Salt Lake City, UT - EnergySolutions Arena
December 3-11 Las Vegas, NV - Mandalay Bay Events Center

2012 TOUR SCHEDULE

January 6 Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
January 10 Sacramento, CA - ARCO Arena
January 13 San Jose, CA - HP Pavillion at San Jose
January 18 Oakland, CA - Oracle Arena
January 21 San Diego, CA - Valley View Casino Center
January 24 Anaheim, CA - Honda Center
January 27 Los Angeles, CA - STAPLES Center
February 10 Houston, TX - Toyota Center
March 2 Miami, FL - AmericanAirlines Arena
March 24 Quebec City, QC - Colisée Pepsi
April 3 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
April 10 Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center
June 29 Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena

In April 2010, The Estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil announced an unprecedented arrangement for the creation, development, production and promotion of Michael Jackson projects, featuring touring and permanent shows, based on the music and songs of Michael Jackson. The two entities will each own 50 percent of each Michael Jackson project, sharing equally in the cost of creating, developing, building and producing the projects and in the profits from each project. The Estate of Michael Jackson will also receive royalty payments on various aspects of its intellectual property used in the Michael Jackson projects.

CREATORS BIOS

Jamie King – Writer and Director
Jamie King is the leading concert director in the world of pop music today. In 2006, Variety named King one of the most influential “movers and shakers” in the music industry, branding him the “Jerry Bruckheimer of ten-pole concert tours". A multiple Emmy Award ® and MTV Video Music Award ® nominee, and greatly influenced by his early years working for both Prince and Michael Jackson, he has choreographed some of the most popular music videos and directed some of the highest grossing concert tours of all time. For the past twelve years, he has served as Madonna's creative director, having most recently directed her 2008 Sticky & Sweet world tour, as well as her 2006 record-breaking Confessions world tour and hit music video, Sorry. He most recently directed Rihanna's Last Girl On Earth world tour, Céline Dion’s Taking Chances world tour, The Return of the Spice Girls reunion tour, Britney Spears' Circus tour and Avril Lavigne’s Best Damn tour. He previously directed and choreographed world tours for Madonna (Re-Invention and Drowned World); Asian superstar Rain (Rain’s Coming); Ricky Martin (Black & White and La Vida Loca); Pink (Try This); Christina Aguilera (Back to Basics and Stripped); and his first collaboration with Britney Spears (Oops I Did It Again). He has worked with an array of superstars including Mariah Carey, Shakira, George Michael, Elton John, Diana Ross, Jennifer Lopez and even Ellen DeGeneres. This is Jamie’s first show with Cirque du Soleil.

Chantal Tremblay – Director of Creation
At the end of the 1980s, while living in New York pursuing a career in dance, Chantal Tremblay decides to join Cirque du Soleil after having seen one the company’s shows. Chantal started out as a dancer on a Cirque project and then became choreographer Debra Brown’s assistant on the creation of Mystère. Chantal has worked on many Cirque projects including the shows Alegría, La Nouba and Mystère for which she once was the Artistic Director. Later on her solid credentials helped her land the position of Director of Creation on both The Beatles LOVE and OVO.

Mark Fisher – Set Designer
British architect Mark Fisher’s interest in building temporary structures and inflatables caught the attention of Roger Waters and led to his first rock ’n’ roll commission for Pink Floyd’s Animals tour in 1977. Mark has since earned an international reputation for his spectacular concert designs. His best-known work includes The Wall and Division Bell for Pink Floyd, Steel Wheels, Bridges to Babylon and Bigger Bang for the Rolling Stones, as well as Popmart for U2. Most recently Mark was Chief Designer for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and U2’s 2009-2010 360° tour. This will be Mark Fisher’s third collaboration with Cirque du Soleil following KÀ and Viva ELVIS.

Zaldy Goco – Costume Designer
Zaldy is one of New York’s most celebrated and innovative designers. Since 2001 he has created custom looks for entertainment icons such as Michael Jackson, Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J Blige, Will I. Am, Rufus Wainwright, Scissor Sisters, Alicia Keys, Britney Spears, Halle Berry, Parker Posey, Gabourey Sidebe, and Mick Jagger among others. In 2009 Zaldy was named head designer for Michael Jackson’s This Is It concert series as well as Lady Gaga’s first North American Monster Ball Tour. He was the man behind Gwen Stefani’s label L.A.M.B. collaborating with Stefani for nearly four years while maintaining his namesake label. This is his first collaboration with Cirque du Soleil.

Kevin Antunes – Musical Designer
Kevin Antunes is a musical designer, musical director, keyboardist and digital audio programmer. His most recent tour was working directly for Madonna on her record breaking Sticky & Sweet world tour. Kevin produced the stereo and surround sound audio mix for the live stadium concert from Argentina released on DVD in 2010. Kevin has also worked with Justin Timberlake for the past 12 years starting with *NSYNC, which then transitioned into Justin's solo career. The stereo and surround sound audio of Justin’s HBO Live Concert Broadcast of his FutureSex/LoveSounds (which was released on DVD) was also mixed by Kevin. Throughout his career Kevin has performed with Janet Jackson, Timbaland, Britney Spears, Aerosmith, Mary J Blige, Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift, Snoop Dogg, Christina Aguilera, Lady Antebellum, P Diddy, Pharrell Williams, Enrique Iglesias, Backstreet Boys, Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch, and the New Kids on the Block, among others. Kevin has performed on many major television events and music award shows including The Grammy Awards, The Academy Awards, two different Super Bowl Halftime Performances, HBO & Showtime Original Live Concerts, Hope for Haiti Now benefit concert, Canadian SARS benefit concert, Amnesty International, Rock-n-Rio, MTV Awards, The Brit Awards, The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, and Saturday Night Live. Kevin is working with Cirque du Soleil for the first time.

Martin Labrecque – Lighting Designer
Martin Labrecque’s professional credits include more than a hundred theatrical productions, as well as circus shows. Martin contributed to the critical success of several Quebec shows. He has won many Quebec awards for his lighting design in addition to several nominations. Martin Labrecque created the lighting for two critically acclaimed circus shows produced by Cirque Éloize, Rain and Nomade, as well as Cirque du Soleil shows Corteo, KOOZA and Viva ELVIS. In 2009, Martin designed the lighting for an eleven-hour show by Canadian author, director and actor Wajdi Mouawad, which was presented in the courtyard of the Palais des Papes in Avignon, France. He also worked on the show Paradis Perdu, directed by Dominic Champagne and presented in Montreal.

Olivier Goulet – Projection and Video Content Designer
Active in the field of video design since 2001, Quebec producer, stage and video content designer Olivier Goulet specializes in video stage design. Since 2007, he has designed and produced video content for many productions and artists including Maria Carey, Alicia Keys, Joe Cocker, Michael Bublé, Tina Turner, Pink, the shows of Cher and Bette Midler at Ceasar’s Palace in Las Vegas, as well as the production Paradis Perdu in Montreal. Olivier is the President of the Montreal-based video stage design company Geodezik, which collaborated with Cirque du Soleil on the shows DELIRIUM and ZAIA. Other Quebec (Gilles Maheu, O Vertigo Danse) and American (Linkin Park and The Killers, Justin Timberlake) artists turned to Geodezik to enhance their show through video imagery.

François Desjardins – Sound Designer
For nearly 25 years, François Desjardins has devoted himself entirely to enhancing sound environments in the music world. As a sound designer, he creates soundscapes that are tailored to each artist’s expectations. Since 1992, François has toured with Céline Dion on all her live shows, He has also worked with several Canadian and foreign artists including Garou, Roch Voisine, Tragically Hip, Tom Cochrane and Pavarotti. As a crew chief, he has installed, maintained and operated the most sophisticated sound systems available in the industry. François also participated in a large number of events as Head Sound Technician of Solotech (Montreal) and Chief Technical Advisor of Solotech (United States). He was sound designer during the World Youth Day in Toronto in 2002 (Papal visit) and for the re-staging of Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco.

Scott Osgood – Rigging and Acrobatic Equipment Designer
Scott started his career as an acrobat as part of the Sailor Circus program in Sarasota, California. His disciplines included ladder, teeterboard, clowning and juggling. Scott picked up his knowledge of acrobatic equipment and rigging design from veterans in the business. He worked in the worlds of theatre and rock music, where his rigging expertise was in demand. At the same time, he continued to work around the world as a performer, appearing with many circus companies including the Ringling Brothers, and Barnum and Bailey. He also worked as an acrobat in theme parks including Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Scott’s first assignment with Cirque du Soleil came when the Cirque show La Nouba was being created in 1997. He worked on the rigging design for that production. ZED was Scott Osgood’s first mandate with Cirque du Soleil as Rigging and Acrobatic Equipment Designer.

Germain Guillemot – Acrobatic Performance Designer
A graduate from Centre national des arts du cirque in Châlon, France, Germain Guillemot started his career with the French troupe Cirque Archaos and toured with the company for two years. With other circus fellows he created the French circus company Les Arts Sauts where he worked both as a creator and performer for 15 years. Germain joined Cirque du Soleil in 2007 as a coach for the flying trapeze act on ZED and then became Acrobatic Training Manager for Viva ELVIS. This is Germain Guillemot’s first collaboration with Cirque du Soleil as Acrobatic Performance Designer.

Michael Curry – Props Designer
Puppet Designer Michael Curry works widely in both conceptual and technical development with the foremost entertainment companies such as the Metropolitan Opera, London's Royal National Theatre, Disney Theatrical Productions, LA Opera, and Universal Pictures. Michael has been the recipient of many prestigious awards from his peers, including several awards for his puppet and costume work on Broadway, Olympic ceremonies as well as his continuing innovations in the fields of visual effects and puppetry design. He has collaborated with Julie Taymor on many stage and opera productions. Among his numerous awards, he received the 1998 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Puppet Design in recognition of his work for Taymor on The Lion King. Michael’s other credits include an opera directed by Robert Lepage at the Paris Opera, an opera at La Scala, Milan, directed by William Friedkin, and the Broadway production of Spider Man with music by Bono and Edge, directed by Julie Taymor. After KÀ and Wintuk, Michael Curry collaborates with Cirque du Soleil for the third time.

EXCLUSIVE PRE-SALE - Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil | The Official Michael Jackson Site

Cirque Du Soleil to 'Immortal'-ize Michael Jackson's Neverland in new tour

By Ryan Pearson (CP) – 5 hours ago

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Cirque du Soleil is taking Neverland Ranch on the road.

The first of the acrobatic troupe's two planned Michael Jackson shows will be set in a stylized version of the singer's famed Southern California home, according to Jamie King, writer and director of what Cirque is billing as "Michael Jackson, THE IMMORTAL World Tour."

"It is really about a central character or characters who get transported into this world of Neverland where they learn everything there is to know about Michael," said King, who has directed concert tours for Madonna, Rihanna and Celine Dion.

The tour will kick off in Montreal next October and hit 30 cities including Ottawa, Hamilton, London, Ont., Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Vancouver. Tickets will range from a base $50 to $250 for VIP seats.

John Branca, co-executor of Jackson's estate, said that depending on fan response, it could be extended beyond its planned end in the summer of 2012 and travel outside of North America.

Excerpts from Jackson's music videos and extended scenes from last year's "This Is It" documentary will be part of the 90-minute show, but no performer will represent Jackson specifically.

"Michael Jackson is throughout the entire show, but in no way am I going to use a stand-in," King said, adding that songs would include hits from "Thriller" to "Smooth Criminal," as well as new remixes like those made for Cirque's Beatles show, "Love."

"Immortal" will also feature as-yet-unreleased songs that Jackson had finished before his death last year, including some from an album that the singer's estate hopes will go on sale by Christmas, Branca said.

Concept art for the set prominently features a massive tree, which represents a favourite oak that sat outside Jackson's Neverland bedroom, King said. The singer nicknamed it the Giving Tree and had a perch built atop it where he wrote music and sometimes slept.

"It made sense that that would be the perfect environment for us to create this world of magic, fairy tale," King said. "Because Neverland for Michael Jackson was his kind of his peace and his serenity. ... So after going to Neverland and really experiencing and feeling the beauty and the energy that was there, I had no choice but to create an environment that reflected that."

King said he would begin auditions for about 60 dancers next week. Producers are hoping to hire dancers and musicians for the live band who have worked with Jackson, Branca said.

Jackson admired the Canadian troupe's work and had attended Cirque shows in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. "He was always captivated and a fan of what Cirque does," Branca said.

Cirque and the estate are also collaborating on a separate permanent production in Las Vegas in 2012 at a property owned by MGM Mirage Inc. They will each own 50 per cent of both projects and share equally in the cost of putting on the productions.

Cirque said "Immortal" would be its most expensive touring show ever, with a budget of $57 million. A select number of tickets are being sold to fan clubs of Michael Jackson and Cirque Du Soleil starting Wednesday.

The rest go on sale Saturday.

The Canadian Press: Cirque Du Soleil to s Neverland in new tour

Interview mit Show Director Jamie King:

Zitat

From Cirque du Soleil, a Michael Jackson-Themed Touring Show

By BEN SISARIO
1:05 p.m. | Updated

Cirque du Soleil and the estate of Michael Jackson announced plans on Wednesday for the first of two planned Jackson-themed shows, “The Immortal World Tour,” to open in Montreal next fall. Described in a statement as taking place “in a fantastical realm where we discover Michael’s inspirational Giving Tree — the wellspring of his creativity,” the show is to combine Jackson’s music and choreography with the signature acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil.

The director of the show is Jamie King, 38, a choreographer and stage director whose résumé includes recent tours by Britney Spears, Madonna, Avril Lavigne and Celine Dion, and who was a dancer in Jackson’s 1992 tour for his album “Dangerous.”

A tour of 27 cities will begin at the Bell Center in Montreal on Oct. 2, 2011, and run at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas from Dec. 3 to 11, before continuing on the road through June 2012. The show is to play at Madison Square Garden on April 3, 2012, and organizers say that more tour dates will be added. Tickets for all shows go on sale Saturday through cirquedusoleil.com and michaeljackson.com.

Mr. King spoke with Ben Sisario on Wednesday. These are excerpts from their conversation.

Q.The show is described as taking place in the realm of Michael Jackson’s “Giving Tree.” What does that mean?

A.Early on I was invited to go to Neverland, and in my research I talked to people who worked there while Michael was living there.
I decided, along with the estate and the family and Cirque, to make Neverland my environment for the show. Within Neverland Michael had all of these gigantic oak trees, and one in particular he called the Giving Tree. But it’s really just a metaphor for being inside Michael’s world, inside his mind.

Q.And what sorts of things do we discover inside his mind?

A.Everything Michael: Michael’s love of fairy tale, his love of magic and theatricality, his love of music, his love of animals, his love of showmanship. This is the place where he wrote many albums, many songs; he wrote poetry there. This was his peace, his serenity. The show is that world blown up bigger than life.

Q.You’re known for Britney Spears’s Circus tour, and other big concert tours with Madonna and Christina Aguilera. Can people expect this to be anything like a Britney Spears concert?

A.The only similarity is that we’re doing a rock ’n’ roll show. It’s a hybrid. It’s Cirque du Soleil meets Michael Jackson, the biggest pop-rock show of all time. So you get the theatricality and the spectacle and the esoteric environments that Cirque provides, along with this wonderful rock ’n’ roll world that Michael is really known for. He put on best rock ’n’ roll shows of all time.

Q.When you were approached by Cirque and the estate, what did they tell you they wanted for the show?

A.We collectively wanted same thing. From the beginning our intention was to make sure that the essence, the spirit, of Michael Jackson lived on in this show. What that means specifically is that his music is the soundtrack, and that his performance and choreography lives in the show. So everything you can think of that is Michael Jackson will be given to you in this show, with some surprises, of course.

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Cirque du Soleil Announces Tour for Michael Jackson-Themed Show - NYTimes.com

Weitere kleine Infos/Aussagen:

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"Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour" was to "bring Michael to the fans" and create the feeling of his concerts in an arena setting, said John Branca, co-executor of the Jackson estate.

"Cirque has not done a show with Elvis or the Beatles or any other historic rock 'n' roll icon that has gone into arenas and toured North America or the world, so it was exciting to be able to do something that had not been done before," Branca said. "Ultimately, there will be a separate show residing permanently in Las Vegas. That show is a couple of years off."

Michael Jackson estate, Cirque du Soleil unveil plans for 'The Immortal World Tour' | Pop Hiss | Los Angeles Times

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Fans will hear Jackson music they've never heard before, unreleased songs recorded by the pop star in the years before his sudden death last year, King said.

"Expect surprises," King said. The show will "provide secrets and give things that people haven't necessarily heard or seen before."

"Michael was a great writer of poetry," he said, suggesting that Jackson's poems will be an element in the Cirque production. [...]

King, who has directed many of the biggest world concert tours over the past decade, worked early in his career with Jackson on his 1992 "Dangerous" tour.

He's also gotten help from Jackie Jackson. Michael's oldest brother, who has also helped prepare an upcoming CD of unreleased songs, met with King to share insight about the pop star. [...]

The MGM Mirage has signed on to host the Las Vegas, Nevada, residency starting in 2012. The hotel also will open a nightclub based on the Jackson show, the hotel said.

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Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show to offer new songs, secrets - CNN.com

Zitat von TLC

Excerpts from Jackson's music videos and extended scenes from last year's "This Is It" documentary will be part of the 90-minute show, but no performer will represent Jackson specifically.

"Michael Jackson is throughout the entire show, but in no way am I going to use a stand-in," King said"

'Michael ist während der ganzen Show dabei, aber ich werde auf keinen Fall ein Double einsetzen'

Zitat

"Immortal" will also feature as-yet-unreleased songs that Jackson had finished before his death last year, including some from an album that the singer's estate hopes will go on sale by Christmas, Branca said.

'Unsterblich' wird auch bisher unveröffentlichte Songs bringen, die Jackson vor seinem Tod im letzten Jahr fertiggestellt hat, darunter einige von einem Album, von dem der Estate des Sängers hofft, dass es zu Weihnachten in den Verkauf gehen wird.....

Oh man, ich will nach Las Vegas Die Show wird bestimmt der Hammer und wird alles andere in den Schatten stellen

Die Show kommt doch 2011 auch nach London:

October 18 London, ON - John Labatt Centre

Vielleicht können wir einen Forumausflug organisieren ?!

War es nicht so, dass sich die Show, die durch die Welt reist, sich von der in Las Vegas unterscheidet? Wegen der Bühne etc...

Zitat von Stella

Die Show kommt doch 2011 auch nach London:

October 18 London, ON - John Labatt Centre

Vielleicht können wir einen Forumausflug organisieren ?!

....dann doch lieber Las Vegas, oder nicht! Hier ist die Stadt London in Kanada gemeint!

Zitat von Darth Vader

....dann doch lieber Las Vegas, oder nicht! Hier ist die Stadt London in Kanada gemeint!

Sorry, das hab ich wohl übersehen
Klar da steht ja London,ON (Ontario)

Dann sollten wir vielleicht Las Vegas ins Auge fassen ??