Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images; Axel/ZumaPress.comDeath is doing wonders for Michael Jackson's career.
Cirque du Soleil announced today that it is creating a show around the King of Pop's music à la the acrobatic troupe's hugely popular The Beatles: Love and Viva Elvis.
The group promises its swingers and jumpers and how'd-they-do-that creators will kick off the show with an arena tour starting in late 2011 and will follow it up with a permanent residency in Las Vegas in 2012 at an MGM Mirage Inc.-owned property. A nightclub sharing the theme will open simultaneously.
"Having attended Cirque du Soleil performances with Michael, I know he was a huge fan," Jon Branca, co-executor of the star's estate, said in a statement.
"Our family is thrilled that Cirque du Soleil will pay tribute to my son in such an important way," added Michael's mother, Katherine.
The estate and the troupe will each own 50 percent of the project and share the production and development costs evenly.
This sounds like so much fun, who needs a Neverland Amusement Park?
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This is an M.J. show. Here's an M.J. gallery.