Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/124284
Welby Altidor busts a move, backed by two of the 63 performers in Michael Jackson ONE. S uperlatives PEOPLE, CULTURE, STYLE POWER STRIP is eight enough? CIRQUE DU SOLEIL IS ADDING A RECORD-BREAKING EIGHTH PRODUCTION TO ITS STRIP REPERTOIRE, AND WELBY ALTIDOR, THE SHOW'S DIRECTOR OF CREATION, IS LEADING THE CHARGE. BY LISA ARCELLA PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC ITA; COSTUMES BY ZALDY GOCO W elby Altidor acquired his unusual moniker from Haitian immigrant parents, who hoped that if they named him after the 1970s TV character Marcus Welby, MD, he would be predisposed to become a doctor when he grew up. "I just found out about that," Altidor says with a laugh. "It's a crazy story but true." Instead they had to settle for a creative genius. The Montreal native followed his own bliss into the arts, spending the last 14 years with the acclaimed Cirque du Soleil. Now he has reached what he describes as a major turning point in his career, as the director of creation of Michael Jackson ONE. After intense rehearsal in Montreal, Altidor moved with his troupe to Vegas in February to prepare for their soft premiere on May 23 and their opening on June 29 at Mandalay Bay. By his side: the show's writer and director, Jamie King, who actually began his career as a dancer on Jackson's Dangerous World Tour and later directed the Cirque continued on page 64 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 63 063-064_V_SP_PowerStrip_MAY/JUNE_13.indd 63 4/19/13 10:20 AM