Love Cirque’s Beatles? You’ll love ‘Michael’

Michael Jackson isn’t exactly touring anymore, but “Michael Jackson: The Immortal, World Tour” is on the way to the Spokane Arena next year on Nov. 12.

This is a Cirque du Soleil production featuring Jackson’s music and his “essence, soul and inspiration.”

This is apparently not going to be a standard “tribute” show – don’t expect Michael Jackson impersonators.

Instead, you might think of it as more akin to “Love,” Cirque’s Beatles extravaganza in Las Vegas. Expect aerial performers, flashy dance numbers and big-time production values.

The producers say it “takes place in a fantastical realm where we discover Michael’s inspirational Giving Tree – the wellspring of his creativity.”

Ooo-kay.

Chances are, even they don’t know precisely what the show will be like, since it’s probably still in development. The tour doesn’t begin until Oct. 20.

Spokane is fortunate to be on the tour list, which consists mostly of bigger markets: Los Angeles, New York, Houston and Miami. The tour will make an extensive Northwest swing, with Seattle, Vancouver, B.C., and Portland also on the list.

Tickets are $50, $80, $125 and $175, on sale through TicketsWest outlets (800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).

‘Spring Awakening’

Have you been curious about “Spring Awakening,” the Broadway touring show on the way to Spokane?

You may have heard that it won eight Tony Awards in 2007.

And you may have heard that it is not exactly for the kiddies. In fact, the producers recommend it for those 15 and older.

One song is titled “My Junk” and another is called … well, we can’t print it here.

Here’s just a hint about what to expect: It’s set in 19th-century Germany, and the dialogue is true to the formal speech of that day. But during the songs by Duncan Sheik, the language is pure, unadulterated modern American teenager.

That’s a source of the show’s controversy, and its power. It’s quite a cult hit.

Intrigued? It will hit Spokane for one performance, Jan. 19 at the INB Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $30 to $49, through TicketsWest.

Symphony, Fox together at last

The Spokane Symphony and the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox will merge organizations after the beginning of the year.

What? You didn’t even know they were separate? After all, the symphony purchased the Fox in 2000.

There have been two separate boards for the symphony and the Fox, which made sense during the construction and development of the theater. But now, it makes more sense to merge.

“We found we can work better together,” said Peter Moye, past president of the Fox Theater Spokane board and president-elect of the symphony board.

The two organizations already had a shared executive director, Brenda Nienhouse, and a shared staff. This merger will simplify the operations further.

Audiences should notice no change in the offerings at the theater. The Fox Presents series will continue.

Jerad Finck update

Jerad Finck, the Spokane pop-rock musician, will open for Sister Hazel on some of its dates this winter, including at the Irving Plaza in New York City.

Finck’s song “Goodbye” continues to get airplay across the country and has made it onto a few “hot adult contemporary” charts.

He was in Spokane on Friday performing at the A Club.

A Keefe Christmas

Julia Keefe, Spokane jazz singer, and the Mark Norton Trio will headline the Spokane Club’s Cutter Clubhouse Christmas Show on Dec. 21, 8 p.m.

No, you don’t have to belong to the Spokane Club to go. This event is one of a series of public shows at the club.

Keefe has made a name for herself nationally with her Mildred Bailey tribute show. This show will be a jazzy Christmas concert, with dancing following Keefe’s set.

Tickets are $15, available by calling (509) 838-8511 or by e-mailing mbryant@ spokaneclub.org. The Spokane Club is at 1002 W. Riverside Ave.