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Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour

Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour was the first of two theatrical productions by Cirque du Soleil to combine the music of Michael Jackson with Cirque du Soleil's signature acrobatic performance style. The show was written and directed by Jamie King[1] and produced in partnership with the Estate of Michael Jackson.[2] The arena show—which is very similar to a rock concert—began its tour on October 2, 2011, in Montreal. After touring North America for one year, Immortal continued through Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East before returning to North America in February 2014 for a total of 501 shows from 141 cities. It is the most financially successful Cirque production and highest grossing tribute show in history.

Start date

October 2, 2011 (2011-10-02)

August 31, 2014 (2014-08-31)

4

  • 227 in North America
  • 18 in Latin America
  • 85 in Europe
  • 49 in Asia
  • 22 in Oceania
  • 401 Total

$371 million

By December 2011, just two months after it was launched, the show had sold over $100 million in tickets from US and Canada dates and became the top touring act in America, according to Forbes.[3] The tour wrapped in mid-2014 after amassing $371 million in revenue with ticket sales of 3.7 million from 27 countries[4] ranking the tour as the eighth highest-grossing tour of all time.[5]

Background and development[edit]

On November 2, 2010, Cirque du Soleil and Jackson's estate announced the development of The Immortal World Tour through Michael Jackson's official website. In a press release, the company stated, "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".[11]


Director Jamie King, who had previously spearheaded tours by Britney Spears (The Circus Tour), Madonna (Sticky & Sweet Tour), Celine Dion (Taking Chances World Tour) and Rihanna (Last Girl on Earth), stated that he wanted to include Jackson's "giving tree" as the focus of the tour.[12]


As noted during an interview with Daniel Lamare, within 24 hours of opening ticket sales for the show, Cirque du Soleil sold 200,000 tickets.[13]


Following the commercial and critical success of the show, a second Cirque du Soleil production based on Jackson's music titled Michael Jackson: One was developed for a permanent residency show at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. This second show opened in May 2013 to critical acclaim and commercial success.

: The Mime awakens the inhabitants.

Childhood

: Dance and acrobatic number.

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

: Five fanatics take pictures of the audience and try to get into the gates of Neverland.

Fanatics – Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)

: Welders perform on motorized cables.

Dancing Machine

: A celebration of Jackson's love of animals.

Ben

: Aerial tango.

This Place Hotel

: Dance routine.

Smooth Criminal

: Pole-dancing act.

Dangerous

Fanatics – The Jackson 5 Medley: The fanatics are in a competition and are granted access to Neverland.

Mime: Mime gains the talents of Jackson and performs beatbox.

: Aerial hoops.

Human Nature

: Contortion act.

Scary Story – Is It Scary

: Aerial act.

Bats – Threatened

: Free-running parkour act.

Thriller

: Straps duo act.

Swans – I Just Can't Stop Loving You

: The Fanatics manipulate Jackson's iconic accessories.

Beat It

: Hip-hop dance choreography with basketballs.

Jam

: Mime is tangled in the tree, which is now turned upside down.

Earth Song

: Tumbling (men's rhythmic gymnastics) and aerial act.

Scream

: The Mime cradles four horses in this ballad.

Gone Too Soon

: Dance choreography.

They Don't Care About Us

Will You Be There: Artists descend onto the stage with glowing red hearts.

Heal the World

: The 11-year-old voice of Jackson and a single piano track.

I'll Be There

Megamix – /Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough/Billie Jean/Black or White: Swiss rings act, dance choreography, and world dance styles.

Can You Feel It

: This finale is a celebration of Michael Jackson.

Man in the Mirror

The acts of The Immortal World Tour were staged to the music of Michael Jackson.[14] Cirque gathered a creative team of 10 high-profile choreographers, some of whom worked with Michael, to design the acts.[15]

Gangster characters wield 3D-printed surreal guns that shoot pyrotechnics when the triggers are pulled. The shoulder pads are also 3D-printed.

The straps duo costumes are covered in Swarovski crystals, and were inspired by Jackson's corseted wrist in the Black and White video.

The bat costumes are created using ultra lightweight paper used for shipping parcels.

The soldiers' costumes are primarily made of mytex on a polyester frame with padding.

All the costumes in the Human Nature act are equipped with more than 275 LED lights.

The costumes for the welders were inspired by the red, zipper-clad jacket in Beat It.

Zaldy Goco, The Immortal's costume designer, said the following in regard to his inspiration for the collection of 252 costumes: "My approach has been to draw upon and respect Michael's iconic style while creating something new and fresh. I placed subtle references throughout the costumes in the show."[16] The color palette chosen for the show is rich, lively, and ornate such as through the usage of gold and crystals. The design team explored such technologies as 3D printing and LED lighting for the many different colored pieces.


Highlights of the costumes range from 3D printing techniques to pyrotechnics being built into the designs.[16]

""

Workin' Day and Night

"The Immortal Intro" (Video interlude)*

""

Childhood

""

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

"The Jackson 5 Medley": "" / "ABC" / "The Love You Save" (Placed after "Mime Segment" on the album) (Only on selected days)

I Want You Back

"" (Only on selected days)

Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)

""

Ben

""

This Place Hotel

""

Smooth Criminal

"" / "In the Closet"

Dangerous

"The Mime Segment": "" / "Hollywood Tonight" / "Speed Demon" / "Slave to the Rhythm" / "Stranger in Moscow" / "Another Part of Me"

(I Like) The Way You Love Me

"" / "Human Nature"

Speechless

"" / "Ghosts" / "Somebody's Watching Me" / "Monster" / "Threatened" ("Threatened" was only on selected days)

Is It Scary

""

Thriller

"" / "I Just Can't Stop Loving You"

You Are Not Alone

"" / "State of Shock"

Beat It

""

Jam

"" / "Planet Earth"

Earth Song

"" / "Little Susie"

Scream

"" (Only on selected days)

Gone Too Soon

"" / "Privacy" / "Tabloid Junkie"

They Don't Care About Us

"" / "Will You Be There"

Heal the World

"" (Video interlude)

I'll Be There

"Immortal Megamix": "" / "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" / "Billie Jean" / "Black or White"

Can You Feel It

""

Man in the Mirror

"" / "Bad" (Curtain call music)

Remember the Time

The following songs were performed in the tour:[21]


*Also includes: "Goin' Back to Indiana" / "Rockin' Robin" / "I Got the Feelin'"

Official site

Michael Jackson official site