It was bitter-sweet seeing this movie. As a dancer/dance instructor, I have felt first-hand the influence of Michael Jackson. There was a period of time when if your studio wasn't teaching the moves from Thriller, or Beat It, you weren't considered a valid training facility. MJ was, no question, brilliant. It is tremendously sad to view this movie knowing that an unmatched talent has been silenced. Clearly, he still had it. The moves were all there. The voice was still there. As a performer, I also know that what we are seeing in the movie is MJ at 60% He was experimenting and honing the moves. He was "saving his voice" (Why did he need to practice singing songs full out that were so much a part of him already?) Knowing this, we can be further saddened that the full potential of MJ was not captured in this movie and would not have been evident until the actual concerts in front of the live audiences. However, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to see the artistic process. To see Michael at work. To see the people who surrounded him, like the team of musicians and the team of dancer/singers who were to appear with Michael in the show - most of whom grew up idolizing MJ. The music was just as wonderful although I wished the theatre would have cranked the volume a bit more :). And the moves.....WOW!

Gretchen Vogelzang

Dancer, Dance Instructor, Arts Administrator