Michael Jackson honored in Cirque du Soleil show in Montreal

Sunday’s show launched a 47-city North American tour that will make its U.S. debut Oct. 15 in Detroit.

Among the audience of 13,000 there were also Michael’s brothers Tito, Jackie and Marlon, mom Katherine and Michael’s kids Prince, 14, Paris, 13, and Blanket, 9.

Michael was a big fan of Cirque du Soleil since the 80′s. 25 dancers, 25 acrobats and a group of 12 musicians directed by Gregg Phillinganes, who had worked with Jackson for over 25 years, tried to give a complete picture of the artist, through a large barrage of hits.

With a dazzling cutting-edge technology, the world premiere of The Immortal World Tour featured dozens of special effects, fireworks, multiple video clips layed simultaneously, outstanding numbers by skilled acrobats presenting dances directly inspired by the late singer’s style.

“That was Michael’s message – to help us understand that love is so important,” Tito Jackson said of the show’s atmosphere backstage.

The show, directed by Jamie King, cost $ 60 million. It was prepared by a team of twenty designers and ten choreographers. After a long tour in Canada and the United States, it is set be presented in 2013 in Europe and the world.