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The Legend Lives On - Official Cirque du Soleil 'Immortal World Tour' Discussion

Many thanks to all of you to share your moments at the IWT :heart: - I would be so disappointed if they don't come in France :( - :pray: My envy to see it keeps growing :shout: !!!
 
suzynyc said:
Thanks for posting the pics! I was at the MSG show and it was so incredible. I was thoroughly entertained. What a beautiful tribute to Michael. He would have loved it so much. Michael's message of love, peace and music is carried throughout the show. Add the amazing talents of the Cirque Du Soleil folks and you get one unforgettable show.

LOL my sister and I saw Tracy Morgan walk into the audience with that shiny glittery jacket. Did that belong to MJ? We had heard Tyra was there. We didn't know of any others. Where was the red carpet? Anyway, I am so glad I decided to go at the last minute. My favorite part was the Ghost/Thriller part but all of it was special. At times I was pleasantly distracted by the MJ footage being played on the large screens while the dancing was going one. It was hard to take my eyes off of him. You know it got me thinking that it wouldn't be a bad idea for someone to take MJ's short films and play them in movie theaters somehow. I would pay good money to see his videos on the big screen.
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I went last night as well. I have to admit I stayed away from all things Cirque just in case I went to the show. I shouldn't have done that. it was not what I expected and not in a good way. I have to say I was disappointed. MJ's presence is so profound, many times I found myself looking at the screen and missing the show in front of me by the live peerformers. The music sounded awesome. The mixes were VERY well done.

I had seen what Cirque did to the Beatles and I was expecting more of an acrobatical interpretation of Michael's music not a verbatim regurgitation of what Michael had already done himself. For the J5 segment, they had 5 guys doing J5 dances on the stage in afros. I was like, "You've got to be kidding me"?? I think if I had been more knowledgeable of how it was going to be, I would have not been in expectation of something that wasn't going to happen.

I would recommend all folks who want to see the show, please don't avoid these threads for fear of seeing too much ahead of time. Please see what you can and then I think you will enjoy the show more for what it is.
JMHO.
 
ginvid said:
I went last night as well. I have to admit I stayed away from all things Cirque just in case I went to the show. I shouldn't have done that. it was not what I expected and not in a good way. I have to say I was disappointed. MJ's presence is so profound, many times I found myself looking at the screen and missing the show in front of me by the live peerformers. The music sounded awesome. The mixes were VERY well done.

I had seen what Cirque did to the Beatles and I was expecting more of an acrobatical interpretation of Michael's music not a verbatim regurgitation of what Michael had already done himself. For the J5 segment, they had 5 guys doing J5 dances on the stage in afros. I was like, "You've got to be kidding me"?? I think if I had been more knowledgeable of how it was going to be, I would have not been in expectation of something that wasn't going to happen.

I would recommend all folks who want to see the show, please don't avoid these threads for fear of seeing too much ahead of time. Please see what you can and then I think you will enjoy the show more for what it is.
JMHO.
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I also went to MSG last night. I can totally understand how you feel. I enjoyed the show, but left with such a void. I still can't put a finger on my feeling. I also found myself looking at the screen more so than the performers. I even preferred to have more footage of Michael shown.

The atmosphere in my section was subdue. I was surrounded by young professional looking people. The only time the people around me got excited was during the Threatened/Thriller segment.
 
Has Gone Too Soon been dropped from the set list cos I was watching a video of the whole show and they didn't do it?
 
Maybe that's why they removed it, it broke the rhythm of the show too much... Just with Childhood I think they are ok with the sad part... They removed most of Ben also, which I find a little sad, not that I loved the musical arrangement, but what was on the main scene was nice and now it's just 30 sec. of the song and only 2 people on the B scene..
 
ginvid said:
I went last night as well. I have to admit I stayed away from all things Cirque just in case I went to the show. I shouldn't have done that. it was not what I expected and not in a good way. I have to say I was disappointed. MJ's presence is so profound, many times I found myself looking at the screen and missing the show in front of me by the live peerformers. The music sounded awesome. The mixes were VERY well done.

I had seen what Cirque did to the Beatles and I was expecting more of an acrobatical interpretation of Michael's music not a verbatim regurgitation of what Michael had already done himself. For the J5 segment, they had 5 guys doing J5 dances on the stage in afros. I was like, "You've got to be kidding me"?? I think if I had been more knowledgeable of how it was going to be, I would have not been in expectation of something that wasn't going to happen.

I would recommend all folks who want to see the show, please don't avoid these threads for fear of seeing too much ahead of time. Please see what you can and then I think you will enjoy the show more for what it is.
JMHO.
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Well for me there HAS to be MJ style choreography involved because that's one of the things he's famous for...dancing. I think there was just the right mix of acrobatics and Michael's dance moves in this show. The J5 segment was cute and campy and I loved the mirrored choreography. It's part of Michael's life and career and it must be celebrated. I went to this show already knowing a little about what Cirque has done and having watched a few clips etc so I wasn't surprised. I really wasn't expecting to even be able to go but at the last minute I snagged some great affordable floor seat tix and I'm so happy I did.

Madonna was there too? I would like to see photos of her there...

They absolutely did have a "Gone too soon" segment. Yes, very sad.

Very moving also was how the audience collectively kept shouting Michael's name or screaming "Michael, we love you!!". Beautiful.

I loved the giant Neverland gates.

I do agree that at times it was tough not to look at Michael on the large screens while also watching the cirque performers at the same time. That speaks volumes about the power of Michael's charisma.
 
I did the same thing when I saw the show. Everytime they showed Michael on the screen I watched him instead of the performers lol. I couldn't help it. I want to see it again. I think the empty feeling or void some feel is because Michael isn't there. It's a great show but it doesn't replace Michael being there and him performing for us. It's a great tribute to him and I hope non fans that go will appreciate him more. Was madonna really there?
 
A couple of reviews for the premiere MSG show:

http://www.bet.com/news/celebrities...rtal-world-tour-at-madison-square-garden.html

Last night, Cirque Du Soleil brought Michael Jackson back to life in an awesome spectacle of acrobatics, dance and high-octane production. In Michael jackson The Immortal World Tour, Cirque's biggest tour yet, the fantasyland of the circus meets the timeless world of MJ. The show, which will travel the U.S. until August and eventually hit Europe, runs at Madison Square Garden until Thursday then moves to Nassau Coliseum.

One might think Cirque Du Soleil is full of spinning dancers and gymnast tricks, but this show is more about MJ than acrobatics. All praise to the director, Jamie King, who found the balance of delivering what audiences will expect from Cirque Du Soleil while still honoring every angle of Jackson’s legacy. His signature choreography is captured, from "Thriller" and "Billie Jean" to “Smooth Criminal,” which was a crowd favorite due to the gangster montages and over-the-top fireworks. Definitely more dancing than acrobatics, each memorable movement is delivered from over 60 gifted performers. There are tap dancers, a one-legged phenomenon who performs with a cane, tons of acrobats and a pole dancer who elevates the term "working the pole" to godly heights. The pops, dips and spins are breathtaking.

This is the circus, so elaborate light shows and super dynamic LED screens skillfully illuminate the stage, complimented with montages and mash-ups of Jackson's music. As a plus, iconic MJ images come to life, like a dancing glove and tapping loafers, taking the pop star's larger-than-life symbols and literally immortalizing them.

There is no particular story line. With the exception of a sparkling mime in all white, the charactcers consistently change, which has garnered some hits from critics. But this is the circus, not a Broadway production.

MJ got nothing but love from New York City. In addition, opening night was not short in star power. Tracy Morgan, Ice-T and Coco, Nelson George and Tyra Banks (who gleefully danced to “Black & White,” a video where she had a small cameo) were all in attendance.

Not only did Cirque Du Soleil properly pay homage to MJ, they respectfully delivered his message of peace. Michael Jackson's charity and love for children was in nearly every song, which was clearly one of his greatest passions. While we will never have Michael Jackson live on stage again, it's safe to say the King of Pop would've been proud of Cirque Du Soleil's The Immortal Tour.



http://www.vibe.com/img/michael-jackson-immortal-world-tour-cirque-du-soleil-132477

The King of Pop lives on! Famed performance group Cirque Du Soleil put on an one-of-a-kind show to commemorate the life of the one and only Michael Jackson, debutingan act of his greatest hits on The Immortal World Tour.

Fans and celebrities alike—including Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Ice T, Coco, and Tracey Morgan in his shiniest MJ-esque sequin jacket—came out to Madison Square Garden to watch the King Of Pop resurrected on stage for the night.

MJ nostalgia was at a high, starting from the Jackson 5 hits "I Want You Back" and "ABC" to "Dancing Machine" and "Blame It On The Boogie." By the time we got into the Dangerous era, the crowd was treated to a tastefully done pole dance that put King Of Diamonds's best to shame. A host of MJ tunes, including a star-gazing performance of "Human Nature," a hauntingly entertaining "Thriller" show, and a hilarious step to "Beat It"—with an oversized dancing glove and shoes to accompany—made for an unforgettable experience.
By the end of the show, it was hard to spot a dry eye in the building as "I'll Be There" blared through the arena with a large picture slideshow of a young Michael Jackson. If you have a chance to go see Cirque Du Soleil while they're still at the Garden tonight and tomorrow, do yourself a favor and indulge in the Michael Jackson experience!—Keenan Higgins

If you can't make it out to the show, VIBE's got you covered with pics from the mind-blowing performance. Continue on to the gallery.
 
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http://www.etonline.com/music/12058..._Lives_on_in_Cirque_Du_Soleil_Show/index.html
MJ's Legacy Lives On In Cirque Du Soleil

In an all-star night befitting the King of Pop, Cirque du Soleil kicked off the New York City leg of The Immortal World Tour on Tuesday, commemorating a lifetime of Michael Jackson's greatest hits in a family-friendly extravaganza.

Tyra Banks was front and center for the big night, lauding Jackson's "infectious" hits as a perfect match for the world-renown troupe.

"When I first heard that Cirque and Michael Jackson were doing something together I was like, 'It's so natural,' " she said. "What cirque has done with [Elvis and the Beatles], I think that they will continue to keep [Jackson's] legend alive."

30 Rock's Tracy Morgan called the MJ's music "the soundtrack of my life," arriving to the red carpet event at Madison Square Garden with his fiancée Megan Wollover. "'Big' meant nothing to Mike. 'Bigger' meant nothing to Mike. 'Biggest' meant everything."

The one-of-a-kind traveling show, written and directed by Jamie King, has been touring across North America since October 2011. The European leg will begin this fall at London's O2 Arena.

For a preview snippet of the show and more information on The Immortal World Tour, visit Cirque's website at cirquedusoleil.com.
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suzynyc;3619405 said:
Well for me there HAS to be MJ style choreography involved because that's one of the things he's famous for...dancing. I think there was just the right mix of acrobatics and Michael's dance moves in this show. The J5 segment was cute and campy and I loved the mirrored choreography. It's part of Michael's life and career and it must be celebrated. I went to this show already knowing a little about what Cirque has done and having watched a few clips etc so I wasn't surprised. I really wasn't expecting to even be able to go but at the last minute I snagged some great affordable floor seat tix and I'm so happy I did.

Madonna was there too? I would like to see photos of her there...

They absolutely did have a "Gone too soon" segment. Yes, very sad.

Very moving also was how the audience collectively kept shouting Michael's name or screaming "Michael, we love you!!". Beautiful.

I loved the giant Neverland gates.

I do agree that at times it was tough not to look at Michael on the large screens while also watching the cirque performers at the same time. That speaks volumes about the power of Michael's charisma.
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I didn't say there should not be MJ styled choreography. Of course this is expected. I just thought the mix of acrobatics/dancing was disproportionate. The show lacked imagination and in many cases was a verbatim reenactment of everything Michael had already done. It was not reinterpreted in many cases to Cirque. I had seen just plain Cirque performances, I had also seen some of what they had done for the Beatles and was thinking it was going to be along those lines more. I was simply disappointed.

As for the J5 segment, of course it should be acknowledged. It was a huge part of his life and he always acknowledge it. It was the method they used to acknowledge it that was disappointing. 5 guys in an afro on the stage doing the J5 dances takes no imaginiation or envelope pushing to accomplish. The article you posted above hit the nail on the head with quote:
And if all you’re doing is recreating a video that every Michael Jackson fan has already committed to memory, are you really doing much at all?
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I agree with many of the points of the article including the assessment that the show improved in the second half.

I was just imagining a reinterpretation of all that MJ gave us by Cirque instead of a regurgitation of what Michael gives us, especially since Michael always gives it to us better. They have to break free from thinking they HAVE to do the same dance moves. I think maybe they had too much to work with since Michael himself was so visual. With the Beatles, since they were not, it allowed the creators at Cirque to have a cleaner palatte to imagine up whatever they dreamed.

I fear I am not explaining myself well enough and a continued discourse about dislikes will leave a bad taste in the thread. I certainly would not deter anyone from seeing it. I am glad I did see it just once; however, I just want members to be aware of what to expect.

Anyway, I'm so glad you had a good time. :)
 
I think I have read in the past the the permanent show in Vegas will be different than what they are doing now.
 
As for the MJ choreography, I think if they didn't put it in at all, then people would have complained there was no MJ moves...

I think they did quite a good job deciding where and when they put the moves and where hey put acrobats. Yes they did a little keep it safe by doing the Smooth Criminal and Thriller routines there, but they hired acrobats AND dancers, they have to make those dancers dance :) And those moves are so iconic.. in a way, maybe they thought ''If MJ thought that this is the move that had to go with this song, who in the hell are we to decide it should be something else and thinking it could be better''.

Just a thought. :)
 
I saw the show last night and loved it! Can you feel it, billie jean, IJCSLY were my favorite parts. The crowd was really into it too!
 
jaydom7 said:
John Legend? you have to be kidding me:beee:
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yeah u have to laugh at all the ppl who hated on mj now going to these shows to get themselves some free publicty. i hope mj has enough buckets where ever he is cause its vomit inducing the fakeness of so many ppl
 
LastTear said:
Oh lord the tears are flowing, goosebumps watching 'will you be there' :cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
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Me too. I don't remember there were the end part where michael appeared when I saw the live show last year. Is this the change of the show? It's so touching. I guess I have to see it again.
 
'will you be there' is so touching knowing the fact that we all loved MJ so much yet we weren't there for him when Murray was killing him. If only someone who loved and cared for MJ could see what Murray was doing, all would be ok right now.:(
 
jaydom7 said:
'will you be there' is so touching knowing the fact that we all loved MJ so much yet we weren't there for him when Murray was killing him. If only someone who loved and cared for MJ could see what Murray was doing, all would be ok right now.:(
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Yes, these same thoughts cross my mind often, and then I remember that it was,also, time for our Michael Jackson to take his place in God's Heavenly choir.
 
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