Michael Jackson ONE, Cirque

Las Vegas: Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil Ticket. Rated 4.8 across 1,509 reviews. Runs 1 hour 30 minutes. From $108.

Overview

Four misfits set out on a transformative adventure guided and inspired by Michael Jackson's music, and spend the next 90 minutes being changed by it. That is the premise of ONE, the Cirque du Soleil tribute staged at Mandalay Bay, and it gives the acrobats a story to carry rather than a loose string of acts. One reviewer counted singing, dancing, circus skills and shadow work among its best moments.

Two reviewers said the songs brought back memories, and more than one described moments that felt emotional rather than purely visual. The listing frames the piece around unity, harmony and hope, with the four characters coming to embody Jackson's agility, courage, playfulness and love by the journey's end.

In practical terms the ticket covers your seat and all processing fees, and hotel pickup is not part of the deal, so you find your own way to Mandalay Bay. Arrive with time to spare. One reviewer warned that backpacks cannot be taken inside and must go into lockers elsewhere in the resort, a detour that eats into a tight schedule. The theater also runs cold under the air conditioning, so bring a layer.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Make your own wayHotel pickup is not included, so you arrange your own transport to Mandalay Bay. Give yourself a buffer before showtime.
2. Enter the theaterYour ticket covers entry and all processing fees. Arrive light, since one reviewer reported backpacks must be stored in lockers elsewhere in the resort.
3. Meet the four misfitsThe story follows four characters on a journey guided and inspired by Michael Jackson's music.
4. Acrobatics and choreographyPerformers translate the songs into acrobatic feats, costuming and choreography, gradually taking on Jackson's agility, courage and playfulness.
5. The finaleBy the journey's end, the four misfits personify Jackson's agility, courage, playfulness and love, and the show carries its message of unity, harmony and hope.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and recent traveller reviews will save you hassle on the night.

• Run time. The performance runs 1 hour 30 minutes. Build your evening around that block rather than booking anything immediately afterwards.
• Getting there. Hotel pickup is not included. You make your own way to Mandalay Bay, so allow a comfortable buffer before the curtain.
• Bring a layer. The air conditioning in the theater draws repeated complaints, and the review summary flags the same problem. Bring a warm layer.
• Fans and newcomers. The show works for devotees and casual listeners alike. One reviewer said it would be enjoyed by all, and another rated it a highlight of a Las Vegas trip even without deep fandom. The production carries it as much as the songs do.
• With children. Unaccompanied minors are not admitted, according to the listing. Any children attending need a supervising adult with them, and the listing gives no other age guidance.
• Nostalgia factor. Several travellers described the show as emotional, with the songs pulling up old memories. Expect story and sentiment alongside the acrobatics rather than a pure stunt show.

Common issues. The theater temperature draws complaints, with one traveller calling the air conditioning too strong and the review summary noting that some find the space cold. One reviewer could not take a backpack inside and had to stash it in a locker at a different location in the hotel, which cost time before the show. Another found that sitting too close made the narration hard to hear clearly. Beyond that, the ticket covers only entry and processing fees, with no hotel pickup, so transport is on you.

Choices To Make Before Booking