Michael Jackson fans will get another chance to experience his music live in a theatrical experience coming to Auckland next year.
Thriller Live is a tribute to the late pop star, featuring a roll call of his hit songs and signature dance moves.
The show opened on London's West End in January 2009 but experienced a surge in popularity after Jackson's death six months later, and continues to play there today as well as touring the world.
Mig Ayesa is one of the performers tasked with the mammoth job of bringing Jackson's hits to life. He is careful to point out that the cast are not Jackson impersonators.
"We're not trying to be Michael Jackson because of course that would be insulting, to think that we're as good as Michael," he says.
"What we're doing is interpretations of Michael's music, celebrating his mastery and the incredible songs that he had."
That involves utilising female singers for some songs as well as a troupe of 16 dancers.
Ayesa, who was last seen in Auckland as Rooster Hannigan in Annie, embodies the rock side of Jackson, performing hits like 'Beat It', 'Dirty Diana' and 'Black or White'.
Despite not wanting to give cookie-cutter performances of those songs, Ayesa says he has spent a lot of time studying details like phrasing.
"You cannot sing some of Michael Jackson's songs unless you do it in his way.
"[But] there is a trick to doing Michael's music without being Michael Jackson."
Thriller Live opens at Auckland's Civic Theatre on February 12, 2015.
Watch the video for the full interview with MiG Ayesa.
3 News
source: newshub archive
