AT the age of 9, Joburg-based entertainer, Dantanio, used to steal his big brother’s Michael Jackson cassettes and secretly pretend he was the King of Pop.
Little did he know it was that youthful dream which would one day translate into a reality for him.
Out of more than 1 000 hopefuls from across the globe, Dantanio has been selected to star in Showtime Australia’s hit tribute show, Michael Jackson HIStory – Thriller.
“These are high-calibre tribute shows that Showtime Australia presents. It has always been a dream of mine to do an MJ tribute. When the confirmation came through that I was selected, I was humbled and emotional.
“The search for this part was huge. I was selected out of a line-up of about 1 500 people around the world, so I was really humbled by it.”
Born and raised in the United States of Kimberley, as Dantanio explains with a giggle, the rising star has been based in Jozi for the past 15 years.
He recalls those early years back home when he’d spend his days impersonating Jackson: “I used to steal my brother’s Thiller cassette back in the ’80s and listen to that while he was at work. He caught me one day and wanted to see what I’d been up to, and that’s when it all started.
“The first song I ever danced to of MJ’s was Billy Jean so that kick-started things for me and the connection just grew from there. There is so much to love about Michael Jackson, but the thing that stands out for me was that he was a perfectionist in everything, vocally to his dancing and choreography, to his costume, and that inspired me as an artist.”
Thriller is set to show in Durban before touring the world including stop overs in Singapore, Germany, the US, Japan and more.
“This is my opportunity to live the dream. I have not been to any of MJ’s concerts. I’ve watched his DVDs and concert recordings. So the idea of this tribute show is also to bring people as close as possible to the man himself and his music.
“We are doing a show of such a great standard that when people watch the show they will feel like they are sitting in an MJ concert,” he explained.
Boasting a band of international and local musicians, some of the best equipment in the business, including a massive LED screen worth more than R1 million, the production looks set give people that real “live” element.
“People will really get that feel of the show and the message. Don’t forget the message, because MJ was all about changing lives and humanity and helping people,” said Dantanio.
Thriller stages at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom’s iZulu Theatre from March 19 to April 6. Tickets are available at Computicket and the Sibaya box office.
• Ticket giveaway:
15 double tickets to see this show are up for grabs for Daily News subscribers only. To stand a chance to win, SMS “Thriller DN” and your name to 33963 before 9am tomorrow. Smses charged at R1.50. Winners will be contacted telephonically.