On June 25, 2014, five years will have passed since the death of the legendary Michael Jackson. In memoriam, the touring show Michael Jackson HIStory is presenting a show that features a performance of the iconic Thriller album in its entirety, plus performances of Jackson’s biggest hits. Forget holograms—watching the show’s talented star Kenny Wizz sing and dance in a show complete with costume changes, theatrical lighting, and stage effects is a delight.
Michael Jackson HIStory Show Presents Thriller will be performed in Edmonton on Thursday, June 19 at 8 pm the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. Tickets $68.40-$78.40; available at Ticketmaster.
Where Edmonton interviewed Wizz about his performance in the upcoming show:
Where Edmonton (WE): How did the idea of performing Thriller in its entirety develop?
Kenny Wizz (KW): Well, we’ve always wanted to concentrate more on that and end the show that way, so we figured the fifth anniversary of his passing would be a good time to pay tribute to Michael through this performance.
WE: How do you embody the essence of Michael Jackson while still retaining your own personality as an artist? Is there a line between impersonation and tribute?
KW: I’ve been on the stage performing for over 30 years and the thing that helps my development as a performer is understanding the entertainer on stage and the importance of that artist as a person. As a performer I have two outlooks, and I constantly work to understand and develop both: I consider what the character (Michael Jackson) understands and feels… you have to take yourself to a place . I never think that I am Michael Jackson, and by not being him I incorporate a bit of my own personality into every piece.
WE: What is your favourite Michael Jackson song to perform?
KW: I don’t allow myself to have a favourite because if you do you put more energy into it, and I think that every song performed in the show should have the same dedication and energy. When Michael Jackson performed he gave 100% from beginning to end and the first song was as inspired and engaging as the last…he just had all this energy for one and a half hours or so. Each song of his carries its own emotion and they all need special attention. I perform each song like its the only one I’m performing that night, and then when it’s over I move on to the next and do it all again.
WE: Who is Michael Jackson to you? Were you a fan of his before realizing you had a similar look and sound to him?
KW: Absolutely, I grew up in LA where the Jackson’s had a lot of radio play and I heard it lots and as he evolved to an individual artist his music had a lot of influence on me as a kid; I followed the whole trajectory of his career.
WE: Did you ever meet him or see him perform?
KW: I saw him perform live several times, though I never met him. I probably could have met him, I had enough connections in the industry and I’ve met most of his family like La Toya and Jermaine—it was a very humbling experience to meet his family. Meeting him was never really a focus of mine, it was more about respecting him from a distance. It was about respect for him as an artist, which you can do best at a distance, and then you don’t conflict Michael the person with Michael the performer. And, I feel like I do know Michael just from having studied him and his performances.
