When he graduated college I’m sure Michael Ghegan, saxophonist and composer, didn’t have running away with the circus noted down in his future plans. Joining the musical side of the Cirque Du Soleil, TOM Magazine had a chat to him about the upcoming Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour, how closely the Jacksons were involved and why this is such a spectacular homage to an iconic legend.
TOM: You’re a college graduate who’s produced music for many entertainment and reality shows – how did you end up with the Cirque Du Soleil?
Michael: Well actually I ended up working with this company – I had gotten back from a tour and I got a phone call from Montreal. Someone had gotten my information and they rang me for a show that was opening a week later. It was crazy. They got me on board and it was a fantastic experience so I’ve been working with Cirque since then.
TOM: How long have you been on the Michael Jackson: Immortal World Tour?
Michael: I have been on it for about six months.
TOM: And where has the tour taken you so far?
Michael: Let’s see – I started in Europe, and I met up with the gang in a little place called Amsterdam. We’ve been going strong since then.
TOM: Have you noticed there’s been a bigger reaction to the show in certain countries?
Michael: I would say our most fanatical market so far has been France. Paris was fantastic madness. Just like, people dressed to the nines, groups outside the arena, choreographed dances, they were over the top. It was fantastic energy. The Korean crowds, where we are right now, are really really hands on. They’re really vocal about how much they love the show. The Asian crowds have just been sold out and the enthusiasm is over the top.
TOM: So tell us about the new show, the Michael Jackson: Immortal World Tour.
Michael: The new show is an incredible tribute on a number of levels, because you have a gathering of the tops of the top of dancers around the world. On top of that are legendary members of Michael’s band from different tours.
TOM: So you actually have Michael’s band in the shows own?
Michael: The entire backbone of the band is Michael’s band. It’s an amazing concept because the reason that this is a completely unmatched idea from Cirque and Michael Jackson’s estate is because it’s essentially Michael’s band putting on a concert to Michael’s voice. The voice was taken from the original recordings – no-one’s ever heard Michael’s voice outside of the producers or the people who were in the studio when it was recorded.
TOM: Around the time of Michael’s death he was meant to embark on a world tour (‘This Is It’) – was this show designed to homage that tour?
Michael: Absolutely. I think what the idea was that Cirque reached out – they were ready to do ‘This Is It’, the show at the O2 in London, and when Michael passed that was hundreds of millions of dollars and years in the making. Cirque had the great idea of saying ‘listen, we’ve got a once in a lifetime opportunity here. Let’s make positive something out of this terrible moment. The Immortal World Tour is the closest you’ll be to the action.
TOM: Was Michael’s family heavily involved in this new show?
Michael: Not involved in the creation but absolutely involved and excited and welcome to the premieres and I think they really gave it a complete blessing and were really moved and really touched by it. As you said it’s a loving homage to what he created.
TOM: All the best and we look forward to seeing the show!
Michael: Thankyou very much.
Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour hits Australia in September/October. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketek.com.au or by calling 132 849.
