Michael Jackson: One

The show

The show's plot is centered on four "misfits" who set out on a journey into Michael Jackson's world and music. By journey's end, they personify Jackson's agility, courage, playfulness and love. These values are represented with his white gloves, white socks and black shoes, hat and sunglasses.

Each of four main characters receives an object from Jackson. First, Clumsy is given the shoes, and with his newfound balance, performs a double slackline act to "Bad." Next, Shy overcomes her name when she receives Jackson's glasses, and she vanquishes a troupe of warriors in a martial arts display set to "2000 Watts" and "Jam." Then, Smarty Pants, the de facto leader of the four, puts on Jackson's hat and is imbued with the artist's legendary gracefulness in "Smile." Finally, Sneaky, the troublemaker, performs a playful manipulation act with the rogue glove to "This Place Hotel" and "Workin' Day and Night."

Characters

• Michael Jackson – the misfits' spirit guide;
• Mephisto – the antagonist who represents the paparazzi and tabloid media;
• Clumsy – the misfit who gains balance with Jackson's white socks and black loafers;
• Shy – the misfit who uses Jackson's sunglasses to overcome her introversion;
• Smarty Pants – the de facto leader of the misfits; uses Jackson's fedora to display gracefulness;
• Sneaky – the troublemaking misfit who performs a playful manipulation act using Jackson's sparkly glove;
• Various villains – opponents whom the misfits encounter and must defeat to complete their adventurous journey;
• Warriors – the heroes of the show who use white jackets and white fedoras to defeat Mephisto.

Setlist

• "Privacy" (pre-show music)
• "The Vortex" (video interlude)*
• "Beat It"
• "Leave Me Alone" / "Tabloid Junkie" / "2 Bad"
• "Stranger in Moscow" / "Will You Be There" (spoken outro)
• "Bad"
• "Smooth Criminal"
• "I'll Be There"
• "Human Nature" / "Never Can Say Goodbye"
• "2000 Watts" / "Jam"
• "They Don't Care About Us"
• "Planet Earth" / "Earth Song"
• "Smile"
• "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin"
• "PYT (Pretty Young Thing)" / The Way You Make Me Feel" / "You Rock My World"
• "Dangerous" / "Dirty Diana" / "In the Closet"
• "This Place Hotel" (instrumental) / "Workin' Day and Night"
• "Billie Jean"
• "Scream"
• "Thriller"
• "Speechless" (2013–2024)
• "The Mime Segment" (2024–present)
• "I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
• "Man in the Mirror"
• "Can You Feel It"
• "Black or White"
• "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (curtain call music)
• "Remember the Time" (post-show music pre-2014)
• "Love Never Felt So Good" (post-show music from 2014–present)

Acts

• "The Vortex" – Intro
• "Beat It" – Dance Number
• "Leave Me Alone" / "Tabloid Junkie" / "2 Bad" – Dance Number
• "Stranger in Moscow" – Spanish Web (Réserve: Aerial Silks)
• "Bad" – Slack line
• "Smooth Criminal" – Japanese Men's Rhythmic Gymnastics
• "Human Nature" – Contortion (2013–Unknown), Free Style Dancing (Unknown–Present)
• "Jam" – Martial Arts
• "They Don't Care About Us" – March Routine
• "Earth Song" – Shadow Puppets
• "Smile" – Solo Dance
• "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin – Diabolo
• "The Way You Make Me Feel" – Dance Number
• "Dangerous" / "Dirty Diana" / "In the Closet" – Pole Dance
• "This Place Hotel" – Glove Manipulation
• "Billie Jean" – Glow-in-the-dark Dance Routine
• "Scream" – Video Projection
• "Thriller" – Trampoline
• "Speechless" – Interlude (2013–2024)
• "The Mime Segment – Interlude (2024–Present)
• "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" – Aerial hoops
• "Man in the Mirror" – Dance Number
• "Black or White" – Finale

References

References

1. "Cirque tells more about new Michael Jackson Vegas show". USA Today.
2. Webster, Andy. (April 2, 2012). "Singing Pageant of Pop, With a Circus Atmosphere". [[The New York Times]].
3. Leach, Robin. (May 24, 2013). "'Michael Jackson One' is Cirque du Soleil's best — and includes snow at Mandalay Bay". [[The Las Vegas Sun]].
4. Szydelko, Paul. (January 20, 2025). "Cirque du Soleil freshens up 'Michael Jackson One'".