LAS VEGAS — For Michael Jackson ONE, which has been in previews already and opens June 29 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino here, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander provided an assist with the design of the performance systems to support the production, collaborating also with Moser Architecture Studio and Jaffe Holden Acoustics on the project.
More details from Auerbach Pollock Friedlander (www.auerbachconsultants.com):
In their seventh collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander, Performing Arts/Media Facilities Planning and Design, has helped create another dazzling experience with Michael Jackson ONE, honoring the creativity of the King of Pop. This new theatrical event, opening this summer, will play exclusively at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander collaborated on Cirque du Soleil’s theatre concept by director Jamie King and on the design of the performance systems to support the production, including the development of Cirque du Soleil’s criteria for the audience area and the technical systems such as stage machinery (including rigging and automation), the theatrical lighting control and the audio-video systems. The firm teamed with Moser Architecture Studio and Jaffe Holden Acoustics on this unique project.
The Mandalay Bay stage was originally built as a Broadway touring venue and was most recently home to The Lion King, which closed in December of 2011. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander’s Founding Principal Len Auerbach commented, “The design criteria for Michael Jackson ONE required the theatre to be re-imagined as a permanent production as opposed to the previous limited run Lion King production. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander took the opportunity to reconfigure the seating and sight lines to ensure that the entire audience has a perspective view of the stage floor to fully enjoy the dancing and unique choreography of the production. The design effort included adjusting the rake of the lower audience bowl, increasing the rake of the parterre and reorganizing audience circulation to avoid visual obstructions.”
Video and Sound
Video projections are a key element of Michael Jackson ONE. The team at Auerbach Pollock Friedlander facilitated the integration of the comprehensive video system designed by Cirque du Soleil that allows for projections on almost every wall surface. According to Tom Neville, “Nearly all the walls are display screens integrated with acoustical treatment and loudspeakers for full surround sound. Our scope of work also included specifying two sound isolated projection rooms tucked in the rear corners of the auditorium that would accommodate the projector stack. These rooms were designed to meet special cooling, ventilation, power and glass requirements.”
Every Cirque du Soleil venue has been noted for its superb sound experience. In the case of Michael Jackson ONE, the performance sound system was designed by Auerbach Pollock Friedlander Principal Paul Garrity and Senior Associate Dan Mei in a continuing relationship with Jonathan Deans, freelance sound designer, meeting the creative demands of presenting Michael Jackson’s music. The primary sound system loudspeaker arrays are hidden within the proscenium set design, with additional subwoofer and surround sound loudspeakers suspended from overhead catwalks. Each theatre seat back is fitted with left-center-right channel speakers to further immerse the audience into the experience. A sophisticated electronic virtual room acoustics system provides a real-time ability to creatively alter the sound of the audience space.
Michael Jackson ONE is a new creation in residency exclusively at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The world premiere for Michael Jackson ONE is June 29. This entirely new show is the second creative project to be developed between Cirque du Soleil and The Estate of Michael Jackson after the top grossing Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour, currently playing arenas in Asia as it travels the world.
Michael Jackson ONE: Facts and Figures:
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Building Infrastructure |
Successful integration of theatrical systems required extensive design and coordination of building infrastructure to accommodate the latest technology. With the Cirque du Soleil theatre project team, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander developed criteria and coordinated the theatrical systems infrastructure within the building to achieve independent and reliable operation.
Three high speed fiber optic data and communications networks were installed in the new space. These completely independent systems are set up to ensure that the automation, lighting and audio-video systems can function separately and synchronized with one another. Each system is provided with a minimum RAID-1 hard drive array to help ensure complete system redundancy. |
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Audio-Video Systems |
Auerbach Pollock Friedlander designed the extensive sound, video and production communication systems for the space in close collaboration with Cirque du Soleil’s audio staff and freelance production sound designer, Jonathan Deans.
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STATISTICAL INFORMATION |
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Client |
MGM Resorts International |
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Auerbach Pollock Friedlander Start Date |
2011 |
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World Premiere |
June 29, 2013
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DESIGN TEAM |
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Theatre Consultant Audio-Video Consultant Architect Acoustics Consultant Structural Engineer MEP Engineer Life Safety
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Auerbach Pollock Friedlander Auerbach Pollock Friedlander Troy Moser Architecture Studio Jaffe Holden Acoustics Englekirk Structural Engineers JBA Consulting Engineers JBA Consulting Engineers
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THEATER SYSTEMS SUBCONTRACTORS |
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Automation Controls, Winches Tracks and Trolleys Stage Lifts Audio-Video Theater Lighting Contractors |
Stage Technologies Stage Technologies Handling Specialties Solotech PRG
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CIRQUE DU SOLEIL Creative Team and Sound Crew |
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Creative Guide CEO, Creative Content Writer and Director Director of Creation Associate Director Musical Director Sound Designer
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Guy Laliberté Jean-François Bouchard Jamie King Welby Altidor Carla Kama Kevin Antunes Jonathan Deans |
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EQUIPMENT LIST |
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Loudspeaker Systems: Main arrays & downfill: Meyer Sound MICA, M’elodie, UPJ-1P Overhead: Meyer Sound JM-1P, MTS-4A Subwoofers: Meyer Sound 1100-LFC Surround: Meyer Sound MSL-4, UPQ-1P, UPJ-1P, MICA, M’elodie, M1D Stage edge: Meyer Sound M1D Signal processing: Meyer Sound Galileo Power amplifiers: Crown CTS-3000, CTS-2000, CTS-4200 Monitoring: Meyer Sound RMS with iLon Ethernet adapters Power distribution, rigging, installation components: Solotech Sound mixing consoles, effects playback equipment, signal distribution and signal processing equipment:
Fiber-optic redundant audio transport system:
Wireless Microphone Systems:
Equipment Racks and Accessories:
Assistive Listening System for the Hearing Impaired:
Production Intercom and Backstage Paging Headend System
Program Monitor / Page System
Ethernet Audio Network
Portable Equipment
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