Cirque du Soleil and the Estate of Michael Jackson unveil Michael Jackson ONE, written and directed by Jamie King

-- EXCLUSIVELY AT MANDALAY BAY IN LAS VEGAS

-- PREVIEW PERFORMANCES START MAY 23

LAS VEGAS, May 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cirque du Soleil and the Estate of Michael Jackson unveiled Michael Jackson ONE™ today in Las Vegas, a new creation to take residency exclusively at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Directed by Jamie King, Michael Jackson ONE will start its preview performances on May 23, 2013 and have its media premiere on June 29. This entirely new show is the second creative project to be developed between Cirque du Soleil and The Estate of Michael Jackson after the top grossing Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour, currently playing arenas in Europe as it travels the world.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61521-cirque-du-soleil-michael-jackson-one-at-mandalay-bay-resort-casino-vegas

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130507/MM08730 )

The show

Michael Jackson ONE is a sonic, tonic fusion of acrobatics, dance and visuals that takes the audience on an immersive journey through the music and spirit of Michael Jackson.

Driven by Michael's powerful, multi-layered music – heard like never before in a riveting, state-of-the-art surround-sound environment – ONE takes the audience through a series of seamless visual and musical tableaux, at the heart of a world that is in turn majestic, playful, magical and heart-warming.

In Michael Jackson ONE, Michael's artistry and spirit are expressed through the vibrant energy of the cast of 63 dancers and performers, underscored by aerial performance, driving acrobatics, and vivid choreographies that use the urban/hip hop idiom as a springboard for exploration.

ONE is a heartfelt tribute to the work, innovative spirit, and legacy of Michael Jackson – the King of Pop, the genius, the visionary, the One.

The name

Michael Jackson believed that all people are unique and equal, regardless of race or culture. His message was one of unity, harmony and hope for a better world. At once evocative and enigmatic, the name Michael Jackson ONE also presents a paradox: Michael was a multifaceted artist who strove to fuse together various musical styles and art forms.  It is a fitting title for a unifying journey into the world of Michael Jackson, the One.

Along with Jamie King—who started his career as a dancer on Michael's Dangerous World Tour and also directed the arena touring show Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil— Michael Jackson ONE will bring together the creative minds behind the Michael Jackson Estate, John Branca and John McClain, and the diverse talents of the following creators:

Guy Laliberte – Creative Guide
Jean-Francois Bouchard – Chief Creative Content Officer
Jamie King – Writer and Director
Welby Altidor – Director of Creation
Carla Kama – Associate Director
Kevin Antunes – Musical Director
Francois Seguin – Set and Props Designer
Zaldy Goco – Costume Designer
Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon – Creators for the scene Man in the Mirror
Travis Payne – Choreographer
Rich and Tone Talauega – Choreographers
Parris Goebel – Choreographer
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui – Choreographer
Ivan << Flipz >> Velez – Choreographer
Olivier Simola – Choreographer
Rob Bollinger – Acrobatic Performance Designer
Germain Guillemot – Acrobatic Performance Designer
Ben Potvin – Acrobatic Choreographer
Andrea Ziegler – Acrobatic Choreographer
Raymond St-Jean – Projections Designer
Jimmy Lakatos – Projections Designer
David Finn – Lighting Designer
Jonathan Deans – Sound Designer
Pierre Masse – Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer
Nathalie Gagne – Makeup Designer
Brian Drader – Dramaturge
Manon Beaudoin – Characters' Guide
Henry Fong - Illustrator

Preview performances for Michael Jackson ONE will begin on May 23 at Mandalay Bay.

PREVIEW PERFORMANCES SCHEDULE:

• Saturday to Wednesday at 7:00pm. There are no performances on Thursdays and Fridays.

TO RESERVE TICKETS:

• Call 877.632.7400 or 800-745-3000
• Go to www.cirquedusoleil.com/mjone or mandalaybay.com
• Visit the Mandalay Bay Events Center box office or any of the MGM Resorts International box offices.

TICKET PRICES:

• $69, $99, $130, $140, $150, plus LIMITED Gold Circle seating.  Prices do not include tax or fees.
• Tickets are available 120 days in advance of the performance date.

Like Michael Jackson ONE on Facebook or Tweet us: @Cirque #MJOne.

Cirque du Soleil

Michael Jackson ONE is Cirque du Soleil's 8^th production in Las Vegas since Mystere in 1993. The company has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,000 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

To find out more about the ONE DROP Foundation, visit www.onedrop.org.

SOURCE Cirque du Soleil