MICHAEL Jackson fans who attend The Michael Jackson HIStory Show that opened last night are in for a real treat as they get to watch South African dancer and singer-songwriter Daniel “Dantanio” Goodman perform as Jackson.
A Showtime Australia production, the international show is all about giving Jackson fans who never got to see him perform live an experience.
It will be Dantanio’s first time performing as Jackson before a home audience after a strenuous global tour.
“It is more than just a tribute show,” said tour manager Ben Hopper.
“We are never really satisfied, and continue to make the show bigger and better.”
Hopper said that with over 1 000 light cues, huge LED screens and 100 moving lights, South African audiences in Cape Town and Johannesburg had something to look forward to, and even moreso with the show’s lead being a South African who hails from Kimberley in the Northern Cape.
The show began eight years ago, in 2009, to pay respects to Jackson’s legacy. For the first five years, American singer and Michael Jackson impersonator Kenny Wizz was the lead, until he retired. Dantanio entered after Showtime Australia searched for a year for the right person to take over from Wizz.
Dantanio said he drew inspiration for his stage name from watching Antonio Banderas in Desperado.
He first fell in love with Jackson’s music as a nine-year-old boy growing up in a musical family with gospel roots in Kimberley when his brother introduced him to Don’t Stop til You Get Enough, which he would listen to over and over again while watching the music videos, perfecting Jackson’s moves.
“Performing as Michael Jackson is a specialty for me.”
After the show tours in Cape Town and Johannesburg, Showtime Australia will take it to the US and Canada in July.
The Michael Jackson HIStory Show runs at Artscape Theatre in Cape Town from January 19 to 29 before moving to Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.