Las Vegas’s longest-running tribute to Michael Jackson has formalized its load-in and bug-out dates on the Strip.
“MJ Live” has locked in Sept. 21 as its opening date at Saxe Theater at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. The production plays 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays (which means, dark Sundays). Go to tix4.com for intel.
“MJ Live” closes its run at Harrah’s Showroom on Sept. 9, leaving Donny Osmond as that room’s sole headliner.
The tribute show opened on July 4, 2012, at the Rio, predating Cirque’s “Michael Jackson One” at Mandalay Bay by more than a year.
The well-traveled production had most previously played at Harrah’s starting in November 2024. The show has amassed about 5,500 performances since its premiere at the Rio. The faux-Jacko show has also starred at The Strat (2015-2021), Tropicana (February 2022-March 2024), Sahara (March-November 2024).
For the uninitiated, “MJ Live” is a showcase of Jackson’s recording-career highlights. The show is a partnership between Las Vegas production company Red Mercury, David Saxe Productions and Vegas icon Dick Feeney.
Feeney says the show is “creating a unified entertainment destination” at Saxe’s entertainment fortress. The partnership “enhances the guest experience, streamlines operations, and provides a strong foundation for future growth.”
Feeney adds that he is hoping new audiences will find the show at the mall connected to Planet Hollywood.
“MJ Live” features longtime Jackson impressionists Jalles Franca and Santana Jackson toggling the lead role. Backed by a live band, the production runs the Jackson classics, among them “Bad,” “Billie Jean,” and “Beat It.” The Jackson 5 stretch features “I’ll Be There,” “I Want You Back,” and “ABC.”
Saxe Theater is busy with with the sample-platter “Vegas! The Show,” ’80s family hit makers The Jets and the profanity-embracing comic Eddie Griffin.
Saxe’s company oversees all of the shows at V Theater and Saxe Theater. The veteran producer says the Jackson show is a “spectacular” fit, adding, “We are very excited … and and can’t wait to experience the Michael mania.”
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.