SA star 'owns' MJ role - Ozzie company

South African Michael Jackson impersonator, Dantanio, is a hit as the King of Pop in the Michael Jackson HIStory " Thriller tribute show.

South African Michael Jackson impersonator, Dantanio, is a hit as the King of Pop in the Michael Jackson HIStory " Thriller tribute show.

Published Mar 25, 2015

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Michael Jackson HIStory – Thriller

DIRECTOR: Johnny Van Grinsven

Musical Director: Richie Baker

Choreographer: Clasina Van Grinsven

Cast: Dantanio, Giselle Bouwer (backing vocals) and band Giles Tingey (piano), Hayden Baird (saxophone and synthesizer), Steve Dennett J (bass), Kyle Thompson (Drums)

VENUE: iZulu Theatre (Sibaya Casino)

UNTIL: April 6

RATING: ***

SHOWTIME Australia has pulled out all the stops to give audiences a full live Michael Jackson experience in their new tribute show to the star.

Having successfully hosted shows like The Greatest Love of All (Whitney Houston tribute), Beatlemania (The Beatles Experience) and Michael Jackson HIStory (the first tribute to the King of Pop) – the pressure was on for the producers to step up their game with Michael Jackson HIStory – Thriller.

And that they have. Sparing no expense, they have gone all out to create the feel of live performance by the late super star. From the costumes to their set – which includes massive LED screens to enhance that “live feel” – they certainly have set the tone for the show.

But if you are going to do an MJ tribute show, you can’t rely on frills alone to make it a true experience and this is where Showtime’s impersonator, South Africa’s Dantanio, and their awesome band come into play.

Bearing the signature MJ look and flaunting the dance moves that the King of Pop thrilled his audiences with for so many years, Dantanio kept the crowd entertained. That he sounded much like Jackson was the cherry on top.

Dantanio took over the coveted role of MJ from US star, and world No 1 MJ impersonator, Kenny Wizz, who toured with the first two productions of this tour.

Dantanio had some big shoes to fill, but in an earlier press statement about the show, director Johnny Van Grinsven said after auditioning across the world for a replacement, he was confident in Dantanio’s ability to “own” the role… and he was right.

That said, he had a great backing vocalist and top-notch band of South African and international musicians. The dancers also deserve a mention. Kudos to the show’s choreographer who captured the essence of MJ’s performances through the ages.

And on that note, a well-spread song list saw the audience enjoy an array of MJ hits from his earlier days with the Jackson Five to his later solo hits. Expect to hear songs like I Want You Back, to The Way You Make Me Feel and Smooth Criminal to Man in the Mirror, Black or White to Bad and more.

Touted as a “homage” to MJ’s greatest work, this new show pays special tribute to Jackson’s Thriller album while showcasing all of his biggest and best-loved hits.

One of my favourites was a throw-back medley of old school hits like Off the Wall, Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough, Blame it on the Boogie, Pretty Young Thing and more.

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