Michael Jackson Celebrated in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino President and Chief Operating Officer, Chuck Bowling, Cirque du Soleil President and CEO, Daniel Lamarre and Estate of Michael Jackson Co-Executor, John Branca confirmed the venue for a permanent Michael Jackson production at Mandalay Bay and announced new aspects of the creative relationship in a press conference held today at the resort.  Production has begun to evaluate the transformation of the resort's theater and identification of the creative team for the show, which is slated to open in the spring of 2013.

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Chuck Bowling said: "The world may never again know a force in entertainment of the caliber of Michael Jackson. On behalf of the entire Mandalay Bay and MGM Resorts International teams, we are deeply honored and humbled to be home to incredible entertainment celebrating his legacy for new generations to come."

Daniel Lamarre added: "We are excited about creating this new Michael Jackson production for Mandalay Bay.  Michael Jackson is creatively inspiring for Cirque du Soleil artisans and creative teams.  There are so many common creative elements between us that it is a pleasure to imagine this new production.  It is also very exciting that we will be presenting Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL World Tour at Mandalay Bay for an extended run this December and Jamie King and the creative team are promising us a pop rock spectacular to kick things off grandly."

In addition to the permanent show opening in 2013, the extensive relationship will include many facets certain to mesmerize new and lifelong Michael Jackson fans alike:

MICHAEL JACKSON THE IMMORTAL WORLD TOUR

Opening December 3 at Mandalay Bay, Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL World Tour will perform in Las Vegas for an extended run on its highly anticipated North American tour.  This extended stop will allow fans from all over the world to converge on Las Vegas , the perfect international destination for visitors to discover the new home of Michael Jackson, and experience the pop rock extravaganza imagined by Jamie King.  

THE MICHAEL JACKSON FAN FEST

To kick-off the tour stop in Las Vegas, fans will have the chance to experience the legacy of Michael Jackson in a whole new way during the first ever Estate-authorized Michael Jackson Fan Fest taking place for a limited time only at Mandalay Bay beginning December 3, 2011.  This experience is expected to include a wide variety of elements such as an up-close look at Michael Jackson memorabilia, items from Neverland Ranch, photo opportunities in recreated sets from historic Michael Jackson videos, a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL World Tour, a main stage featuring contests, Q&A sessions with members of the creative team from Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL World Tour as well as other associates of Michael Jackson, giveaways and more.  In addition, the Fan Fest will give attendees the chance to compete against one another in contests centered around the recently released UBISOFT video game "Michael Jackson The Experience."  

An interactive, engaging, and immersive design will create a larger-than-life environment for all Fan Fest goers and promises to be a unique event.  The Fan Fest will be open for 4 hours before Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL World Tour shows on December 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 14 in Mandalay Bay's Bayside Exhibit Halls.  In the case of two-show nights, the Fan Fest will have two sessions open to the public at separate starting times.  Ticket and session information will be announced in the coming weeks and www.MichaelJacksonFanFest.com will offer up-to-the-minute updates on the Fan Fest.

Said John Branca and John McClain, Executors of The Estate of Michael Jackson: "We are thrilled to establish Michael's home away from home at Mandalay Bay. Because of its remote location, few people will ever get to visit Michael's Neverland Ranch. But millions of Michael's fans will be able to hear Michael's music and experience him in tangible and exciting new ways at Mandalay Bay. We are especially excited that the Estate has authorized the first Michael Jackson Fan Fest, something Michael's fans have been calling for and something Michael always wanted for his fans. We look forward to working with our partners – Mandalay Bay, Cirque du Soleil and MGM Resorts International – in implementing these exciting projects."

MICHAEL JACKSON ALL ACCESS

Mandalay Bay also will be the permanent home of a creative collaboration from The Estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil aimed at giving fans a unique encounter with Michael's artistic genius, sense of wonder and humanitarian spirit. Just as Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL World Tour and the newly announced permanent show at Mandalay Bay will open the eyes and ears of the world to experiencing Michael's music in a whole new way, this permanent exhibit will take fans, new and old, on a journey to the next level by giving them the opportunity to access Michael Jackson – the consummate performer, the philanthropist and the person – in entirely new ways, in part using the most state-of-the-art interactive technology. This experience is expected to spark memories, inspire hope and help us discover new things about Michael and ourselves, engaging minds and inspiring hearts.

MICHAEL JACKSON LOUNGE

The Michael Jackson Estate and Cirque du Soleil will create the Michael Jackson Lounge – a space that will bring to life Michael's music in an atmosphere celebrating his career and legacy.

About Cirque du Soleil

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a major international organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment.  Since its founding, Cirque du Soleil has thrilled over 100 million spectators in close to 300 cities on five continents. In Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil has a privileged partnership with MGM MIRAGE to create and present unique and innovative productions.  In addition to The Beatles LOVE at The Mirage, these productions include Mystere at Treasure Island, "O" at Bellagio, Zumanity, the Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil at New York-New York Hotel & Casino, KA at MGM Grand, CRISS ANGEL Believe at Luxor, and Viva ELVIS at ARIA Resort and Casino at CityCenter.  For more information, visit the Cirque du Soleil website at www.cirquedusoleil.com/lasvegas.

About Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

Mandalay Bay, a AAA Four Diamond award-winning destination resort, is set on 60 lush acres with 4,752 rooms and suites and THEhotel, a stand-alone all-suite hotel which offers 1,117 luxurious one-bedroom suites.  Mandalay Bay Beach, an 11-acre tropical pool paradise, features real sand, a wave pool and the only climate-controlled, poolside gaming in the city.  Other property highlights include performances of Disney's THE LION KING, world-class entertainment at the 12,000-seat Mandalay Bay Events Center, award-winning dining by celebrity chefs and restaurateurs, exhilarating nightlife, Shark Reef Aquarium and the 1.7-million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center.  Mandalay Bay's offerings also include BATHHOUSE Spa, House of Blues Concert Hall and restaurant, and The Shoppes at Mandalay Place, a collection of unique boutiques and restaurants.  Mandalay Bay is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International™.  For more information and reservations, visit www.mandalaybay.com or call toll free at (877) 632-7800.

SOURCE Cirque du Soleil