Christinne Muschi / ReutersWhile those currently gathering in a California courtroom are attempting to paint Michael Jackson as a chronic addict who died in vain, everyone who converged in Montreal Sunday night for the Cirque du Soleil tribute show to the King of Pop were there to honor what he loved.
It's no wonder, then, that a sampling of the Jackson clan forewent yesterday's hearing in order to instead be present for the opening night of the show.
Including his kids, who saw fit to make this their first public appearance since the start of the trial.
Prince, Paris and Blanket, along with uncles Tito, Jackie and Marlon, cousins Jaffar, Jermajesty and, of course, family matriarch Katherine Jackson were all present in Montreal for the kickoff of Cirque's tribute show, The Immortal World Tour.
And here's the good news: it's off to a rousing success. The show, which features the usual Cirque acrobatics and aerialists, rewinds Jackson's life all the back to his days as a child star with the Jackson 5, opened to a standing ovation ahead of its 10-month North American tour, which will hit 50 U.S. and Canadian cities through July 2012.
"I really enjoyed it," Katherine said. "It's fantastic. I had heard about it from my oldest son Jackie, he came to see it and he told me how amazing it was. I was looking for something amazing, but I found something far better. And I really enjoyed it and it captured Michael very well. It was kind of emotional for me, but...it was very, very good. Done very, very well."
Central to the set of the $60 million show is the "Giving Tree," an oak from Jackson's Neverland Ranch, where he often went for peace and to get inspired. Otherwise, as you would expect from a tribute show, dancers recreated all his signature looks and moves from over the years, as the show included more than 60 Jackson songs, along with never-before-seen footage from his This Is It tour.
One thing that's not a part of the show: any Michael impersonators, as, per the family, there is only one Jackson.
The family's attendance at the show prevented them from being present in court yesterday for the beginning of the second full week of Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial. It's unclear if Katherine & Co. will be back in court today, though if not, Janet, La Toya, Rebbie and several other family members are expected, as usual, to represent for the family.
E! Online will be livestreaming all the proceedings from the courthouse today beginning at 8:45 a.m. PT.