Cirque tribute to King of Pop a thriller

Who’s “Bad?”

Not Cirque du Soleil, which proudly presented Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour at North Little Rock’s Verizon Arena to an audience of 2,659 on Tuesday night.

The two-hour show (including a 20-minute intermission), which has been touring since 2011, is a synthesis of the late King of Pop’s music (a portion of “Bad,” was one of some 35 songs featured) and his video likeness with the finesse of 49 international dancers, musicians and acrobats. And some moonwalking.

Less circus and more concert, with live instrumentalists and vocalists supplementing Jackson tracks, there was more dancing than daredeviling. Still the acrobats amazed on numbers like the sultry “Dangerous” (pole dancing), urgent “Smooth Criminal” (gravity-defying group leans) and sweet “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (aerial silks).

Loosely tied together by a sequined hyper-mobile mime main character, Immortal started off slow … and strange. Early number “Childhood,” about juvenile innocence set at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, seemed inappropriate (or at least too soon) given contentious allegations. The momentum of tribal-dance-driven “Wanna Be Starting Something” and an electric “Dancing Machine” was blunted by a boring “Ben.”

The show of exhilarating lights, fanciful outfits and evolving sets included iconic appearances by a Bubbles-esque chimp, not to mention a giant pair of tapping loafers and a sprightly sparkly glove during “Beat It.” Unfortunate LED light suit malfunctions detracted from the human starry night effect of “Human Nature.” But a true-to-video “Thriller,” accented by flying mummies (and highlighting the skill of a one-legged dancer), was a thrill.

A spirited second act satisfied. Almost. As for the masterful mash-up of “Can You Feel It,” “Billie Jean,” “Black or White” and “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough,” we didn’t quite get enough.

Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour will be performed again at 8 p.m. today, Verizon Arena, East Broadway and Interstate 30, North Little Rock. Tickets are $52.50 to $152.50 plus service charges. Call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com.

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