Las Vegas Weekly

May 18, 2009 · 5:26 PM

Videos: Michael Jackson selects 12 dancers for concerts from 5,000 applicants

By Robin Leach

Michael Jackson and Kenny Ortega at work in L.A. on Michael's upcoming London concerts.

Photo: Courtesy

King of Pop Michael Jackson received more than 5,000 applications from dancers across the world to appear with him in his This Is It 50-concert run starting July 8 at London’s 02 Arena. Michael narrowed down the number to 500 and flew them to California from Las Vegas, all across America and as far away as Canada, Europe, Australia and South America.

My source told me: “These are some of the greatest dancers the world has to offer, and they were there for one reason: Michael. His influence over the years has inspired many of them to become dancers themselves. The auditions were extraordinary. Michael not only talked with the dancers, he filmed them, too, and even ran steps with them.”

Rehearsals for the new concerts are well underway and shrouded in secrecy, but I can tell you that they are taking place outside L.A. and Hollywood. I’ve learned that in an area south of Silicon Valley and west of the NASA Space Center -- fitting for an out-of-this-world show -- there are amazing innovations in staging the production and creating the set. “This will be a new benchmark in live entertainment. There’s a level of excitement about this that hasn’t been witnessed before,” I was told.

My source added: “The King of Pop is hard at work prepping the concerts alongside show director Kenny Ortega and Travis Payne, former choreographer and dancer from Michael’s Dangerous and HIStory tours.” Kenny and Travis were in town over the weekend, and, as Vegas DeLuxe reported today, watched The Men of X at the Hooters casino resort.

The dancers took part in three days of intense auditions and competition at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. They were tested on their strength, skill, creativity, fitness, commitment and execution. Michael was at the auditions to make the final selections with Kenny and Travis. Kenny created the Sirens of T.I. here and also choreographed the dancing fountains at the Bellagio.

Kenny told us: “The level of dancers that we saw at the auditions was incredible. Michael was extremely hands on throughout the process in working with the dancers and selecting the final candidates. It was an exciting, intense and highly creative process and not an easy decision in the end.”

Go to www.MichaelJacksonLive.com for your own front row seat of the behind-the-scenes audition footage.

The 12 principal dancers selected to perform alongside Michael are U.S. dancers Charles Kapow, Ricardo Reid, Tyne Stecklein, Misha Hamilton, Mekia Cox, Nicholas Bass, Danielle Rueda-Watts and Christopher Grant, Timor Steffens of Germany, Shannon Holtzapffel of Australia and Daniel Celbre and Devin Jamieson of Canada.

Randy Phillips, AEG Live president who signed Michael to the unprecedented deal, commented: “Watching Mike and Kenny create this spectacle using the greatest repertoire in contemporary music is one of the most exciting experiences in my career in live entertainment. The fans who are flocking to see Michael Jackson’s return to the stage will not be disappointed. From the special effects to the quality of the dancers and musicians, we are setting a new standard for major arena shows.”

I also was told: “Be clear that this is not just a concert. This Is It will be a fully integrated musical experience combining theater, film, music and the latest advances in technology. Movies, music and movement all rolled into one!”

Kenny added, “It is an intense and exciting creative period. Onstage with the greatest entertainer of our time, we have a strong, talented, dynamic group of dancers and musicians. These are artists whose talent, dedication, skill and passion for performing with their idol is felt every hour of every day spent rehearsing. What is going to take place on that stage at the O2 Arena in July will truly be inspiring.”

Click HERE for Michael’s “Brace Yourself” teaser trailer with its powerful military images and the giant statue of Michael.

Click HERE for Michael’s selected video highlights of what’s in store with the show.

Click HERE for interviews with Quincy Jones, Akon, Pharrell Williams, Wyclef Jean, Will.I.Am, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige and Beyonce about the genius of Michael and his Thriller album 25 years later.

Click HERE for the video of Michael’s announcement of the London concerts.

Some 750,000 fans have purchased tickets for the run of 50 concerts by our part-time Las Vegas resident. The only clue about additional shows afterwards is what AEG says: “This will be the last chance to see the King of Pop in London. This really is it. It will be one of the greatest musical events in history with a historic stage show and a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience. It will not be repeated in England -- this really is it.” That leaves the door open for possible AEG-sponsored concerts for Michael in other cities, including here. Click HERE for my interview with AEG honcho John Meglen when I quizzed him about Michael appearing at either The Colosseum or The Joint.

I will be flying to London for Michael’s premiere concert and will report from the 02 Arena with hoped for interviews right after the show with Kenny and John. I’m expecting the next full update when Michael and his team relocate to London at the end of this month.

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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