For years Michael Jackson has been plagued with rumors about his health — he appeared in public wearing surgical masks, in wheelchairs, looking gaunt. With 50 concerts booked for his historic “This Is It” run at London’s O2 Arena beginning in early July, oddsmakers are already taking bets that MJ won’t have the stamina to take the stage. But a new Los Angeles Times report takes a look at Jackson’s rehearsals for the shows, which reportedly last six hours a day, four days a week with a team of 10 hand-selected dancers.
Though details are heavily guarded, the LAT offers more specifics about the This Is It run. “It’s going to be the biggest, most technologically advanced arena show — and the most expensive — ever mounted,” said Randy Phillips, chief executive of AEG Live, the company staging the $20 million-plus production. The show will reportedly feature more than 22 different sets, while the set list will contain between 18 to 22 songs. Phillips also added that Jackson is ready both physically and mentally for the 50 concert shows. (Take a look back at Jackson’s four-decade career, in photos.)
Jackson has recruited Kenny Ortega, who choreographed Dirty Dancing, the High School Musical series and Jackson’s own Dangerous Tour, to direct and design the production. Travis Payne will serve as choreographer, and he’ll receive input from young choreographers like Todd Sams and Rich & Tone Talauega, who helped Chris Brown with his moves. More than 700 dancers from the elite schools reportedly tried out for a shot at the Jackson shows, but in the end eight men and two women were selected.
Rumors say the show might also feature MJ in a duet with his oldest son Prince Michael, a bunch of Michael look-alikes and monkeys and elephants, although Phillips insists to the LAT that there are no monkeys involved. As for that cease-and-desist lawsuit yesterday from the organizers of the Jackson 5 tour, Phillips called the suit “meritless” and says the show will go on.
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