Las Vegas Weekly

April 5, 2009 · 9:39 AM

Michael Jackson and his team check out Las Vegas shows

By Robin Leach

Kenny Ortega and Michael Jackson.

Photo: TVT

Early this morning, it was not totally clear about Michael Jackson’s movements throughout the Strip last night. In a flurry of text messages I received in the middle of Hugh Hefner’s 83rd birthday celebrations at The Playboy Club in the Palms, it seems as if:

a) The King of Pop did see the early Le Reve show at the Wynn with his friend director-choreographer Kenny Ortega, another choreographer Travis Payne, and two members of his staff .

b) Michael was not with them when Kenny and the others took off for the Luxor to watch Criss Angel’s late show of Cirque du Soleil’s Believe.

Photo: OSA Images

Cast members of Believe, in rehearsal.

Kenny created the Sirens outdoor pyrotechnics show at Treasure Island here on the Strip, directed the successful High School Musical movies and has been hired by Michael as the director and creator of the 50 shows he’ll perform this summer in London. Kenny also staged Madonna's concert tours and was the choreographer of the hit and now cult classic film Dirty Dancing.

Michael himself has told AEG London producers that he wants to have magical elements in his new shows, plus a lineup of look-alike dancers. It is safe to assume that the visit here was a scouting and research trip to see the latest innovations in the world’s entertainment capital.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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