Cirque du Soleil to develop Michael Jackson show based on his music

(HMG) – Following in the footsteps of other popular music it has used from the Beatles and Elvis, Cirque du Soleil announced Tuesday that it will develop a live touring show featuring the songs of Michael Jackson.  In other words, the late King of Pop is set to become king of the big top.  Cirque and Jackson’s estate which supports Jackson’s three children and his mother Katherine Jackson, will each own 50 percent of the projects and share equally in the cost of putting them on. The estate will also receive royalties from the use of Jackson’s music and other assets. There will be a “concert-like” arena tour, which is expected to start late next year, and will culminate in 2012 with a permanent production in Las Vegas at a property owned by the MGM Mirage.  A Jackson inspired nightclub will also open with the Vegas show.

“Having attended Cirque du Soleil performances with Michael, I know he was a huge fan,” John Branca, a co-executor of the estate, said in a statement.

“We are excited to be partners with Cirque du Soleil to give Michael’s fans a truly unique way to hear, see and feel Michael’s music,” Branca said.

This is the third big Michael Jackson project, since he died at age 50 last June after a drug overdose  In March, Sony Music, a unit of Sony Corp, announced a $250 million deal with Jackson’s estate, which will result in up to 10 albums using the singer’s previously unreleased music.  Last fall, Sony Pictures released “This Is It” based on footage of Jackson rehearsing for a comeback concert series in London. The movie made $261 million around the world, according to tracking firm Box Office Mojo.

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