Jehu D.
Yelp
If you're a fan of Cirque du Soleil, stay far, far away from Michael Jackson One. I've seen almost every Cirque production that's ever been hosted in Vegas, and many of the traveling ones, and have been a huge Cirque fan for over twenty years, and this is the first show I would strongly dissuade anyone from paying to see. What a colossal disappointment. Also, I've been a fan of Michael Jackson my entire life. A member of my family danced with him. I listen to his music all the time. I could hardly have been more unimpressed with this production.
It's difficult for me to believe that Cirque du Soleil would want their name attached to this show. As others have noted, MJ One is merely one tedious dance number after another, and almost nothing anyone would associate with Cirque performances. Couldn't believe we'd spent almost three hundred dollars to watch a bunch of boring choreography set to obnoxious, amped up versions of Michael Jackson staples. Every time it was only dancers on stage (which was often), and every time they had us watching video while NO ONE performed ANYTHING live (which was too frequent for the kind of money these tickets cost), I thought, "Maybe they're preparing the stage for some classic Cirque showcase of mind-blowing acrobatics or stunts." Nope, just more lame dance numbers. Calling this a Cirque du Soleil show at all is grossly misleading.
What is more, the music is loud enough to cause hearing damage. About two thirds of the way into the production, I used a decibel reader app I've installed on my phone, and found (to no surprise) that the volume of the show easily exceeds the minimum decibel level that permanently damages hearing, and we were toward the back of the house. Other reviewers have warned of the noise level. My wife and I put in ear plugs. If these performers don't use them regularly, they're literally going deaf.
If you want to spend an enormous amount of money to watch ninety minutes of dance, with a couple short acrobatics numbers, and a pole dancer thrown in, then this is the show for you. Were many in the crowd having a good time? Sure. They had no idea what the Cirque experience is supposed to be like, or what this production sorely lacks. Michael Jackson One was enough to make me seriously consider never again attending another Cirque du Soleil show, especially if this is the direction they're heading. I no longer trust the brand.