MICHAEL JACKSON ONE
TABLEAUX
MAIN CHARACTER
Michael Jackson
A living presence in the show through video, whispers, laughter, urging, spoken and
projected narrative, screaming, silhouettes, elemental forces, etc. Michael’s spirit is
guiding the performers and the audience on the journey, culminating with the release
from the grip of Mephisto, which leads everyone to reconnect with Michael’s spirit and
his child-like heart. Michael is also represented through certain of his visual iconography
– his iconic glove, hat, shoes and glasses – which are transformed into talismans meant
to represent certain qualities possessed by Michael. He is the primary protagonist, our
Guide. And through his music, lyrics and words, he is also our narrator.
TABLEAUX
The Vortex – Inspired by the first four verses of Beat It
The four misfits who are referred to as the Heroes – Clumsy (slackliner), Shy (martial
artist), Smarty Pants (juggler), and Sneaky (manipulation specialist) – get sucked into
a Vortex after sneaking into the show.
Time Tripping – Beat It
Time goes crazy as we cross the metaphoric threshold into a magical world inspired by
Michael’s imagination. High above the audience, rotating bungees churn to the funkinfused,
drum and guitar-driven rhythms of Beat It.
Hide & Seek – Leave Me Alone/Tabloid Junkie/Too Bad
Mephisto, a malevolent machine made of radios, microphones, tungsten bulbs,
televisions, cameras, and surveillance equipment, makes his first appearance along with
the Tabloid Junkies, his dance corps and guards.
Lost and Alone – Stranger in Moscow
This scene is the Spanish web lament to loneliness of the Beggar Boy, a character in the
song “Stranger in Moscow”, while Ngame, the Mother Moon character, watches over.
Clumsy and the Shoes – Bad
The sweet but awkward Clumsy learns how to live in his body with the help of Michael’s
magical shoes. Living up to his nickname at first, his bumbling routine eventually turns
into a masterful double slackline act.
The Smooth Criminals – Smooth Criminal
Mephisto sends in his elite force, the Smooth Criminals (rhythmic gymnasts), to do
battle with the MJ Warriors, Michael’s dance corps. The Warriors get down to business
– the yin to the Criminals’ yang.
Human Nature/Michael’s Magic Trunk – I’ll Be There/Human Nature/Never Can Say Goodbye
Memories of Michael surface as the Heroes discover why they’re there – the love they
share for Michael – as a magical song is set free in physical form through the
performance of a fleet-footed, free-styling dancer and contortionist named Wink who
literally glides on the stage.
Shy and the Glasses – 2000 Watts/Jam
As she senses Michael’s spirit around her, Shy, an introverted young lady, dons
Michael’s sunglasses, and finds her inner courage. Shy battles Mephisto in a fearless
display of martial arts prowess.
The Warriors of Peace – They Don’t Care About Us
The MJ Warriors perform a striking choreography in unison in a tableau that conveys
one of the messages dear to Michael. In the face of war, violence, poverty and strife, we
must dare to hope, comfort, dream and believe.
Ngame Gives Birth – Planet Earth/Earth Song
Ngame, the Mother Moon Goddess, ushers in a new beginning. During a stunning
shadow play act, Michael’s poignant vocal performance delivers a raging lament against
what the world stands to lose.
Our Heroes Regroup – Smile
The self-appointed leader of the ragtag group of Heroes, Smarty Pants finds the magical
hat and rediscovers her childlike heart.
Smarty Pants & The Hat – Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
One of Michael’s qualities, gracefulness, is learned by Smarty Pants as she joins in a
towering hat juggling act as images of giant hats float and bob everywhere on the
screen and on the stage.
MJ’s Girls – The Way You Make Me Feel
The MJ Girls’ homage to Michael, and the MJ Boys’ homage to the Girls… The dancers all
knock each other off their feet in a swagger-meets-sass rivalry that is a nod to the iconic
The Way You Make Me Feelshort film.
Dirty Diana –Dirty Diana
Dirty Diana – Mephisto’s Siren – and the Muse – a conduit for Michael’s music – go head
to head, leading to a staggering, one-of-a-kind pole dancing act.
Sneaky & The Glove – This Place Hotel/Working Day & Night
Sneaky, the little troublemaker, has his glove go rogue in a dazzling display of “hand in
glove” manipulation.
The Billie Jeans – Billie Jean
Michael’s virtuoso moves, and his Warriors dressed in stunning, glowing LED costumes
to the driving, electrifying beat of the iconic song.
Mephisto’s Trap – Scream
Mephisto’s primary force and dance corps, the Tabloid Junkies, shape shift into the
Werewolf Dogs while the Heroes and the talismans are captured.
Mephisto Triumphant – Thriller
Evil forces in the underbelly of Mephisto’s world, the Thrillers (dance corps) and the
Ghouls (trampoline artists and rhythmic gymnasts) celebrate Mephisto’s victory. They
are in full thrall, leaping and flipping in a gravity-defying performance that uniquely
combines inverted trampoline and trampo-wall.
Sneaky & Mephisto Transform – Speechless
The Talismans are reclaimed, and Sneaky lets love into his heart. Mephisto is
vanquished at last.
Ngame’s Tribute To Michael- I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
Ngame performs her duet with the Star.
Michael’s spirit is brought to the stage – Man In The Mirror
Michael’s energy and spirit are shared with the cast and audience through an illusion
that occurs during the moving, scintillating Man In The Mirror.
Electric Love Parade – Black or White
Two sides become One. In a group acrobatic and choreographic tableau, the whole cast
reunites on the stage, including the Heroes who return in the “Leave Me Alone” rocket.
Walk Out –Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough/Remember The Time/Medley
A final message from Michael – “We’re putting love back into the world. To remind the
world that love is important. To love each other. We areONE .”
Source PDF File http://static01.cirquedusoleil.com/en/~/media/press/PDF/michael-jackson-one/acts-characters.pdf
Elizabeth Hurley ?
YouTube @YouTube
