Michael Jackson is a living presence in the show through video, whispers, laughter, urging, spoken and projected narrative, screaming, silhouettes, elemental forces, etc. Michael’s spirit is guiding the performers and the audience on the journey, culminating with the release from the grip of Mephisto, which leads everyone to reconnect with Michael’s spirit and his child-like heart. Michael is also represented through certain of his visual iconography – his iconic glove, hat, shoes and glasses – which are transformed into talismans meant to represent certain qualities possessed by Michael. He is the primary protagonist, our Guide. And through his music, lyrics and words, he is also our narrator.

The Vortex

Inspired by the first four verses of Beat It The four misfits who are referred to as the Heroes – Clumsy (slackliner), Shy (martial artist), Smarty Pants (juggler), and Sneaky (manipulation specialist) – get sucked into a Vortex after sneaking into the show.

Time Tripping - "Beat It"

Time goes crazy as we cross the metaphoric threshold into a magical world inspired by Michael’s imagination. High above the audience, rotating bungees churn to the funk- infused, drum and guitar-driven rhythms of Beat It.

Hide & Seek – "Leave Me Alone" / "Tabloid Junkie" / "Too Bad"

Mephisto, a malevolent machine made of radios, microphones, tungsten bulbs, televisions, cameras, and surveillance equipment, makes his first appearance along with the Tabloid Junkies, his dance corps and guards.

Lost and Alone – "Stranger in Moscow"

This scene is the Spanish web lament to loneliness of the Beggar Boy, a character in the song “Stranger in Moscow”, while Ngame, the Mother Moon character, watches over. [NOTE: An Aerial Silk performance rotates with Spanish Web]

Clumsy and the Shoes – "Bad"

The sweet but awkward Clumsy learns how to live in his body with the help of Michael’s magical shoes. Living up to his nickname at first, his bumbling routine eventually turns into a masterful double slackline act.

The Smooth Criminals –
"Smooth Criminal"

Mephisto sends in his elite force, the Smooth Criminals (rhythmic gymnasts), to do battle with the MJ Warriors, Michael’s dance corps. The Warriors get down to business – the yin to the Criminals’ yang.

Michael’s Magic Trunk –
"I’ll Be There" / "Human Nature" / "Never Can Say Goodbye"

Memories of Michael surface as the Heroes discover why they’re there – the love they share for Michael – as a magical song is set free in physical form through the performance of a fleet-footed, free-styling dancer and contortionist named Wink who literally glides on the stage.

Shy and the Glasses –
"2000 Watts" / "Jam"

As she senses Michael’s spirit around her, Shy, an introverted young lady, dons Michael’s sunglasses, and finds her inner courage. Shy battles Mephisto in a fearless display of martial arts prowess.

The Warriors of Peace –
"They Don’t Care About Us"

The MJ Warriors perform a striking choreography in unison in a tableau that conveys one of the messages dear to Michael. In the face of war, violence, poverty and strife, we must dare to hope, comfort, dream and believe.

Ngame Gives Birth –
"Planet Earth" / "Earth Song"

Ngame, the Mother Moon Goddess, ushers in a new beginning. During a stunning shadow play act, Michael’s poignant vocal performance delivers a raging lament against what the world stands to lose.

Our Heroes Regroup – "Smile"

The self-appointed leader of the ragtag group of Heroes, Smarty Pants finds the magical hat and rediscovers her childlike heart.

Smarty Pants & The Hat –
"Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’"

One of Michael’s qualities, gracefulness, is learned by Smarty Pants as she joins in a towering hat juggling act as images of giant hats float and bob everywhere on the screen and on the stage.

MJ’s Girls –
"The Way You Make Me Feel"

The MJ Girls’ homage to Michael, and the MJ Boys’ homage to the Girls… The dancers all knock each other off their feet in a swagger-meets-sass rivalry that is a nod to the iconic The Way You Make Me Feel short film.

Dirty Diana – "Dirty Diana"

Dirty Diana – Mephisto’s Siren – and the Muse – a conduit for Michael’s music – go head to head, leading to a staggering, one-of-a-kind pole dancing act.

Sneaky & The Glove –
"This Place Hotel" / "Working Day & Night"

Sneaky, the little troublemaker, has his glove go rogue in a dazzling display of “hand in glove” manipulation.

The Billie Jeans –"Billie Jean"

Michael’s virtuoso moves, and his Warriors dressed in stunning, glowing LED costumes to the driving, electrifying beat of the iconic song.

Mephisto’s Trap – "Scream"

Mephisto’s primary force and dance corps, the Tabloid Junkies, shape shift into the Werewolf Dogs while the Heroes and the talismans are captured.

Mephisto Triumphant – "Thriller"

Evil forces in the underbelly of Mephisto’s world, the Thrillers (dance corps) and the Ghouls (trampoline artists and rhythmic gymnasts) celebrate Mephisto’s victory. They are in full thrall, leaping and flipping in a gravity-defying performance that uniquely combines inverted trampoline and trampo-wall.

Mephisto Transforms – "Speechless"

The Talismans are reclaimed, and Sneaky lets love into his heart. Mephisto is vanquished at last.

Ngame’s Tribute To Michael – "I Just Can’t Stop Loving You"

Ngame performs her duet with the Star.

Michael’s Spirit –
"Man In The Mirror"

Michael’s energy and spirit are shared with the cast and audience through an illusion that occurs during the moving, scintillating Man In The Mirror.

Electric Love Parade –
"Black or White"

Two sides become One. In a group acrobatic and choreographic tableau, the whole cast reunites on the stage, including the Heroes who return in the “Leave Me Alone” rocket.

Walk Out – "Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough" / "Remember The Time" / "Medley"

A final message from Michael – “We’re putting love back into the world. To remind the world that love is important. To love each other. We are ONE .”