“MJ Live” has held true to the “live” reference in its title. The Michael Jackson tribute show has survived two resort implosions and a half-dozen moves since opening 13 years ago.
The unshakable show is packing up once more. Producers have announced it is ending its run at Harrah’s Showroom to reopen at Saxe Theater at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood by late September.
Co-producer and Las Vegas icon Dick Feeney’s team informed the cast after Saturday’s performance that the show would be relocating.
Feeney, who produces “The Rat Pack is Back” and founded The Flying Elvi skydiving team, is in partnership with Darin Feinstein’s Red Mercury Entertainment. “MJ Live” features veteran Jackson impressionists Jalles Franca and Santana Jackson alternating in the lead role.
“MJ Live’s” tentative starting date is Sept. 21. The show will perform at 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, dark Sundays, six shows per week. “Vegas! The Show” is moving to 5:30 p.m. from the 7 p.m. slot. The Jets will play select dates at 4 p.m. Saturdays. Headlining comedian Eddie Griffin is at 8:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and most Fridays and Saturdays.
“MJ Live” has worked around primary headliner Donny Osmond since opening at Harrah’s in November 2024. The show has has logged about 5,500 shows since opening at the Rio in 2013.
A series of showrooms followed: The Strat (2015-2021), Tropicana (February 2022-March 2024), Sahara (March-November 2024) and most recently Harrah’s (opening in November 2024). And in the months before Riviera was imploded in 2016, the show (and also “The Rat Pack is Back”) was reviewing a move into that hotel’s Versailles Showroom.
“MJ Live” is a concert show highlighting Jackson’s hit-making career, with a live band backing the Jackson performer. “Bad,” “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” are highlights from Jackson’s solo catalog. “I’ll Be There,” “I Want You Back” and “ABC” are from the Jackson 5 era.
“MJ Live” is reportedly showing improved ticket sales after the release of the “Michael” biopic. The nomadic show joins Cirque’s “Michael Jackson One” at Mandalay Bay and “Michael Jackson the Evolution” at Orleans Showroom as Jackson productions playing Las Vegas.
Veteran Vegas producer David Saxe is new to the “MJ Live” operation. He runs Saxe Theater, and also V Theater annex, at Planet Hollywood. Feeney and Saxe have operated in Las Vegas for decades, competing for box-office sales and never business partners until now.
Cool Hang Alert
Jazz Outreach Initiative’s terrific Jazz Vegas Orchestra plays Myron’s at 7 p.m. Wednesday, with special guest and trumpet legend Wayne Bergeron. A tribute to the music of the late pianist/sax man/composer/arranger Gordon Goodwin is also on the bill. Some of the city’s greatest players populate the orchestra. Highly recommend. Go to thesmithcenter.com for intel.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykatson X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
