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Michael Jackson-The IMMORTAL World Tour Coming To Austin

Updated: Thursday, May 3 2012, 04:21 AM CDT
Cirque du Soleil's most technically-layered production - sporting the largest cast assembled of any show currently on tour in North America - will stop in Austin on June 15 when Michael Jackson-The IMMORTAL World Tour plays the Frank Erwin Center.  From the basketball court-sized projection screens and LED-lit costumes, the staging is more elaborate than any previous Jackson tour or Cirque du Soleil show combined. 
    
The first show to be approved by the Jackson Family Estate, the tour has been the Number One highest grossing concert for 13 weeks straight in North America and 16 weeks overall.  Created by writer and director Jamie King - the entertainment industry expert behind the highest-grossing concert events of the past two years and the Super Bowl 46 halftime show - the multiple Emmy Award and MTV Video Music Award nominee served as Madonna's creative director for the past 12 years.  Most recently he directed world tours for Rihanna, Celine Dion, Spice Girls, Britney Spears and Avril Lavigne.
    
“[The show] is really just a celebration of [Michael] and his legend and his immortality," King said.  "Even though he’s not there physically, you will feel him spiritually and emotionally because of what you’re visually seeing and hearing."
    
“It starts with the music - Michael’s voice is what drives the show," he said.  "I have the opportunity to carry on Michael’s legacy, to take all that energy – all that he was and was going to be – and build it into this production.”
   
 Musical Designer Kevin Antunes, who was given unprecedented access to Jackson's master recordings, and Musical Director Greg Phillinganes - who worked with Jackson for more than 25 years - provided an unparalleled depth of knowledge of Jackson's music and live performances.  The production includes more than 30 songs from the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson, performed by 12 musicians and a half dozen back-up singers - including Michael Jackson's former drummer and saxophonist. 
    
A total of 10 choreographers - including Travis Payne, who worked on Michael Jackson's This Is It Tour - created the staging that is performed by a cast of more than 60 international performers.  Jackson’s own voice - as well as sounds of his actual snaps, foot taps and favorite sayings - is woven into the musical score.
    
The multi-media staging includes large, multi-purpose LED screen for projections, along with multiple lifts, a conveyor belt and giant props to provide subtext and support the narrative.  In Cirque du Soleil fashion, the scenes take place in a fantastical realm that harnesses Jackson's inspiration and s creativity - bringing to life his love of music and dance, fairy tale and magic, and the fragile beauty of nature.
    
The one-night Austin performance begins at 8 p.m., and tickets range from $50 to $175.  A VIP package - including a premium ticket located in the best rows on the floor, souvenir lanyard, souvenir program and exclusive gift - are available for $250.

The Frank Erwin Center is located at 1701 Red River.  Tickets are now on sale at all Texas Box Office locations - including most H-E-B stores - by calling (512) 477-6060 or 800-982-2386, or online at www.TexasBoxOffice.com.

(Photos: OSA Images Costumes: Zaldy Goco ©2011 Cirque-Jackson I.P., LLC)
Michael Jackson-The IMMORTAL World Tour Coming To Austin