With electrifying acrobats, dance, and visuals, accompanied with Michael Jackson’s timeless music, in ONE, the audience feels as though the King of Pop’s energy is surging through the room. ONEis a Michael Jackson based performance by Cirque Du Soleil about MJ’s life and music. With state-of-the-art surround sound systems, and the alluring performances imitating Jackson is almost as magnificent as the once in a lifetime shows MJ would perform live, in his days.
Cirque Du Soleil always delivers memorable performances in each of it’s shows and seeing one of these shows in a must in everyone’s lifetime. ONE is particularly worthwhile if you know and love MJ’s top charted music. Beginning with dancers in Michael Jackson attire moonwalking across the stage, and a world-wide favorite, “Beat It,” the crowd is in awe within the first 60 seconds.
The theater stage is inspired by the Dangerous album cover. Set designer Francois Seguin created a dynamic and versatile décor that matches MJ’s style and aura. Images and small clips of MJ are showcased in the background, while talented acrobats and professional dancers mimic MJ’s classic moves. Spotlights light up the lead dancer who expresses through dance the meaning behind each song that is playing. Cast costumes are all iconic styles that MJ wore himself, like the single white glove, dark sunglasses, fedoras, and bedazzled clothing. Pure entertainment surges through the room for the entire 90 minutes. As every top hit song plays –like “Dirty Diana,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Billie Jean,” and more– the audience is more and more enchanted by the choreography, acrobatics, and special effects.
The show is centered around four “misfits” who explore MJ’s world: Shy, Smarty Pants, Sneaky, and Clumsy. Each of the misfits is given items – sunglasses, a fedora, white sparkly glove, and white socks with black loafers, respectively. Each of these items symbolizes MJ’s courage, love, childlike playfulness and agility. By the end of the show, the misfits absorb the characteristics that MJ held.
The antagonist Mephisto represents the paparazzi and tabloid media that MJ tried to avoid since his fame skyrocketed from just five years old. Mephisto tries to hinder in the misfits’ journey to overcome their insecurities. Throughout the show, the misfits battle and avoid Mephisto, but he’s always looming in the background.
Despite the obstacle of Mephisto, Shy overcomes her name with her sunglasses while “Watts” and “Jam” play. Smarty Pants emits the artists’ gracefulness and love while Jackson’s “Smile” echoes through the room. Sneaky adapts MJ’s playfulness with “This Place Hotel” and “Working Day and Night”. And Clumsy captivates the audience and gains balance by listening to “Bad.”
Las Vegas is a pinnacle for entertainment and Cirque Du Soleil employs some of the most talented acrobats and dancers in the world. The acrobats and dancers lead an enchanting performance, which tell an important story that teaches the crowd about the personality and heart of MJ. The show is choreographed to send the message that anyone can overcome their insecurities no matter who or what is getting in the way. The dancers successfully send the message while entertaining. Spins, flips in the air, soars from the ceiling, and human pyramids leave the crowd in awe the rest of the night.
Over 10 years since MJ’s death, his music still touches hearts and souls all across the world. Hundreds of millions of Michael Jackson super-fans, ONEin Vegas, Broadway’s Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enoughmusical all keep his legacy thriving, along with his memory ingrained in many people’s minds. His music is still magnetizing to all listeners and has brought fans and supporters together during, and after his life.Thriller remains the world’s second most sold album and MJ’s signature Moonwalk is still as iconic as ever. MJ lives on and ONE helps in doing so.
For those who feel alive when they hear the legendary MJ’s voice, this performance certainly is one to watch.
Tickets for One by Cirque Du Soleil start at $65 and is worth every dime.
Shows are at Mandalay Bay Theater, Las Vegas, every Friday – Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.