Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Cirque du Soleil Developing Shows Inspired by the Music and Style of Michael Jackson
Playbill.com: Cirque du Soleil and the estate of late singer-songwriter Michael Jackson are teaming up to create new shows that will give Jackson fans a theatrical concert experience like never before, the partners announced on April 20.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
I cannot help but think that this is just a way to get a huge audience to come to the shows, rather than for real artistic reasons. Although no one can argue that Michael Jackson was not talented and successful, all the hype around him have made his work seem less because of all the buzz on his personal life. I realize that theater arts are commercial, and all do want to huge turnout, but the art should be done not just for money.
I have to agree with Sylvianne. It seems that every celebrity's death just becomes a platform to market a wide variety of new entertainment. I feel like this sort of show would be more tasteful and interesting in a few years, but it is obvious that they are trying to build off of the momentum of Michael Jackson's death and other marketing endeavors such as the movie about Michael Jackson that just came out a few months ago (the title seems to be escaping me right about now...). Regardless, his music combined with Cirque will surely produce an entertaining and beautiful show.
Maybe I am too inexperienced with Cirque du Soleil to make this assertion, but a michael jackson show does not encompass the genre of entertainment I associate with this unique circus experience. I agree with Syl and Ariel that this is most likely an attempt to capitalize off of hype. I understand the need to turn a profit and make a show that is both art, entertainment, and profitable, but I think this show idea really swings these ideas out of balance to the point where it is actually kind of sad.
I tend to dislike the show featuring famous musicians as well no matter what the genre is. I wonder if I can easily get to this conclusion before watching every existing Cirque show or more information on this production is revealed.
But as everybody commented so far, it does not seem to be denied for people to make the assumption. Yes, as we see in the musical industry, it is almost to guarantee certain amount of sales. As business is business, I can not keep complaining until I produce a successful creative piece. But even as one of the potential customers, this is a sad trend.
The preview that is shown on the Cirque site leaves much to be desired, and currently leaves me agreeing with the majority of these posts. It looks like just another way to include a huge audience for a Cirque show. Good for the producers. In order to capture the rest of us, Cirque needs to do something incredible. And they indeed have their work cut out for them. I will agree the material is fantastic, but its good by itself. Cirque has to come to this to add something to the music, or else the project is not worth doing.
While I am a fan of Michael Jackson’s music, I do not see how his music would inspire the circus arts…
Cirque seems to be diverging from what is has become world famous for. I had the opportunity to see Banana Shpeel when it was in Chicago. It was not at all what I expected. Not that it was bad… just nothing like what I would expect from Cirque. It was a Vaudeville show. I know that Cirque has also developed a David Blaine show, which is a magic show. Cirque is expanding their spectrum and in so doing, expanding their audience.
While having a varied audience is of great importance, I wonder whether or not some artistic integrity is being compromised. I look forward to seeing the Blaine show the next time I can, and maybe it will be totally clear as to why Cirque has decided to stray from the field they have revolutionized.
Much like their recent foray into a production with Chris Angel, I wonder how this will be received. However, LOVE has become a huge success, and was based on the music of an incredibly popular musical group. Perhaps the fact that their music has passed into the collected musical anthology of the world is a testament to its success. But would we say that the music of pop-icon Jackson has not done the same? It is ubiquitous. While I think its a great marketing play, I think the production may also have some merit. I wonder though, how well Michael's style will mesh with that that is classically Cirque.
I am not at all surprised that Cirque would be developing a show inspired by Michael Jackson, and I honestly feel like they will do a fantastic job. Cirque knows how to appeal to an audience, and I have no doubt that they will receive large numbers when this show opens- and not even because Michael Jackson's recent death has increased his music's popularity, but because Cirque honestly knows how to put on visually amazing shows that can keep audiences coming for ages.
Post a Comment