By Monty Siekerman
"Thrilling" is the best word to describe The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience which was performed Saturday evening at the Freed Center.
Joby Rogers, who portrays Jackson, holds Aris Onan, in the lobby after the show. The 7-year-old is the daughter of Leandra Onan of Arlington.
Aris' favorite Jackson album is "Thriller," and she is dressed for the part with shiny silver slippers and a bright red Thriller jacket.
Rogers, playing Michael Jackson, selected Aris to join him on stage to dance with him during one of the numbers. The confident little lass happily obliged, receiving big applause afterward. No doubt, the dance lessons she has taken and her love of Jackson music played a big part in her debut on stage. Her being called on stage was not preplanned.
Several times during the evening Rogers, as Jackson, went out into the audience to hold children and hug adults during various songs.
But mostly, the show consisted of Michael Jackson songs, danced by Rogers and four other excellent backup dancers. Many of Jackson's Billboard Top 50 songs were performed during the evening.
Yes, in real life and at his death Jackson was a controversial person. But there is no argument about his global reach, almost to the point of worship.
His death in 2009 at the age of 50, did not end the King of Pop's influence on music or ability to raise money. In 2015, his records still earned a staggering $115 million.
During the Freed Center show, the songs were interspersed with video which showed huge crowds throughout the world, dancers who influenced Jacksons' performance, and great grief at his death.
Michael Jackson was more than a singer. His dance steps, like the moonwalk and robot, his choreography, and the songs he wrote all added up to an exceptional experience for anyone who could get tickets to attend a performance.
For many years, Rogers has perfected the dancing and mannerisms of the King of Pop. He was personally selected as the “Official Substitute” by Jackson in a signed statement. Rogers is the only Jackson impersonator to ever appear on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
The Ada performance only drew a house that was about one-third full, but those who did attend were highly entertained, most would say thrilled.
