A Michael Jackson tribute artist will be moonwalking across the stage when his show comes to Chilliwack at the end of June.
Garth Field takes on the role of the King of Pop in The Michael Jackson HIStory Show, coming to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on June 26. It's part of a 31-stop tour across the country this summer, presented by Showtime Australia.
“MJ is a really tricky role. You have to be able to dance and sing and act and hold that character convincingly, and you have to do it all really well, or fans just won’t get on board. MJ fans are very loyal and they want to see their favourite artist represented in the right way, so it’s important we get it right,” said producer and director Johnny Van Grinsven.
Touring worldwide since 2011, including three previous tours of Canada in 2014, 2017 and 2019, the show returns for the first time in five years with fresh, updated production, new dancers and Field as the new Michael Jackson. The production’s former lead star Dantanio Goodman, who performed with the show between 2018 and 2022, retired from international touring.
After conducting auditions across seven countries and considering thousands of Jackson impersonators, Van Grinsven selected South African triple threat performer Field as the standout candidate to undertake the monumental role. His extensive training in diverse dance forms such as hip hop and tap, coupled with a background in jazz music, his profound admiration for Jackson, and experience performing as Jackson in Spain for the past five years, made him an obvious choice.
“Garth had the very rare combination of vocal talent, dance talent, the right looks and most importantly the drive and ambition to rise to the role, to work at being the best in the business. Getting all of those things in one person is extremely hard to find but we’re pretty convinced we have the right person and we’re sure that fans of the show will feel the same once they’ve seen him in action,” Van Grinsven said.
Live renditions of all Jackson’s biggest hits will include songs such as Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, Thriller, Man in the Mirror, Jam, Beat It, The Way You Make Me Feel, Black or White, plus hits from his Jackson 5 days such as ABC, I Want You Back and Blame it on the Boogie.
Accompanying Field on stage will be a new ensemble of dancers and musicians bringing fresh dynamics and vibrancy to the long-running production.
The Michael Jackson HIStory Show is coming to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on Wednesday, June 26 at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $46.55 for youth (U13) and $75.55 for general admission. For more, go to chilliwackculturalcentre.ca/ccc-event/the-michael-jackson-history-show, or call 604-391-7469. For more, go to mjhistoryshow.com.