LEGACY Goes International

LC Jackson 

LEGACY Live Entertainment, LLC is proud to announce that the show “LEGACY-A Tribute to the King of Pop” hits the international scene for the very  first time as the show is welcomed on the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts (Part of the Virgin Islands) in mid- February, 2013 (Dates to be announced next week).

Michael Jackson impersonator “LC Jackson” is scheduled to performs on the island of St.Kitts featuring some of the original cast members of LEGACY.

The show will feature a full cast, a set list including 17 Michael Jackson classics, 14 costume changes and the energy that only LEGACY knows how to deliver.

Special thanks to G.L. Berg Entertainment for being instrumental in propelling LEGACY onto this new height.

We congratulate LEGACY on this unprecedented mile stone and the success it has worked very hard to achieve. LEGACY can now be called a “Internationally Requested Show”!!

Congratulations!

LEGACY Signed with G.L. Berg Entertainment!!

We're excited and proud to announce that LEGACY- A Tribute to the King of Pop" and Luis Castillo (LC Jackson) have been signed with G. L. Berg Entertainment!

G.L. Berg is one of the most successful entertainment agencies in Minnesota booking entertainment locally, nationally and internationally in theaters, casinos, fairs, universities, concert halls and other venues. G.L. currently represent artist such as magician Dan Sperry and comedian C. Willi Myles and as of today, LC Jackson & LEGACY have been added to this entertainment powerhouse.

LEGACY was signed to an exclusive contract, which gives G.L. Berg exclusive representation rights for the MJ Tribute. LEGACY will continue to operate and manage "key shows" which are yet to be announced.

You can find LEGACY on G.L. Berg’s website at: http://www.glberg.com/legacylive

The official LEGACY website will continue to operate under the management of LEGACY Live Entertainment: http://www.legacylivellc.com/

Congratulations LEGACY!!!! CHAMONE!!!

Upcoming LEGACY Shows:

Theatre L’Homme Dieu, Alexandria, MN

July 10 @ 7:30PM

July 11 @ 7:30PM

July 12 @ 7:30PM

July 13 @ 7:30PM

July 14 @ 7:30PM

July 15 @ 2:00PM

For Tickets, please visit: http://www.tlhd.org/

LEGACY on the cover of the Magazine, NUEVA IMAGEN!!!!

Mrach, 2012 issue

If someone told me a year ago that I would be on the cover of a magazine I would have rolled my eyes and laughed.  When I got a phone call from the magazine, I was not laughing at all. . . I was shocked and excited! 

When I was presented with this incredible opportunity I was floored.

The magazine is  called Nueva Imagen (New Image) which is a magazine in Spanish geared towards the Latino community in the Twin Cities. The General Manager of the magazine and LEGACY have worked on other projects in the past. We headlined shows for their show called “Domingo Espectacular” in 2011 and we'll also be headlining their March event. I never thought we'd  be offered the cover of the magazine! 

Photo Spread & Interview 

Eduardo De La Riva who is the head and General Manager of the magazine was explaining to me that he’s trying to change the direction in which the magazine is going. In previous issues, beautiful, sexy women have graced the covers of this magazine and he wants to broaden the magazine’s appeal. I’ll be one of the few males who have been on their cover and that’s such an honor.  In the magazine, there is a photo spread as well as an interview which talks about LEGACY, the show, the cast and my experiences as MJ.  The issue will be in predominating Spanish speaking shops, grocery stores and other local businesses.

Alternate Cover 

I’m very proud of this accomplishment and very thankful to Nueva Imagen and Xavier Tavera who shot the photo for the cover as well as the 2012 marketing shoot for LEGACY. Although the entire cast is not on the actual cover, I feel I represent LEGACY and the hard work that my entire team does for this show. I’m very proud of what LEGACY is becoming. Always expect the unexpected as we will keep surprising and pushing to achieve greatness.

Spanish Advertisement featuring LEGACY Cast!!

-LC

LEGACY adds 6th show at SteppingStone Theatre!

LEGACY has officially added a 6^th show at SteppingStone Theatre.

Last year, we had shows two weekends at SteppingStone which accommodated many schedules for many people and many different groups.

This time, we want to accommodate the same (or similar) in one weekend.

When this idea was brought to my attention I thought it was a great idea. Through Anthony (a LEGACY dancer) we were able to arrange a show which is dedicated to the local schools in the TC area. We’re making it a “school appreciation day” for them and adding a 6^th LEGACY show on Friday, April 20 at noon. This way, schools have an opportunity to come and see the show during the week.

Photo by: Xavier Tavera

This will be truly physically demanding because we have a show the night before, two on Friday and two on Saturday. That is a huge amount of energy that will be demanded from the entire cast to do so many shows back to back. Although we’ve done it before, it’s not as fun as having one show per day. However, the audience really feeds us the energy we require and by the end of the show you forget about the exhaustion.

It’s going to be great being able to perform for the schools! Following the show on Friday afternoon we will do a Q&A because they are always very curious about how, who, why etc. It’s always very fun! Then it’s off to the shower, then lunch and back to the hair and makup chair as we prepare for the BIG Friday night show!

The link for the ticket purchase for this particular show will be going up early next month. I know about half of the seating will be filled with students. The rest are fair game to the general public!

Enjoy the show!

LC

2012 SteppingStone Theatre Dates (ONE WEEKEND ONLY!!!)

April 19, 7:30PM

April 20, 12:00PM ß NEW SHOW ADDED!

April 20, 7:30PM

April 21, 2:00PM

April 21, 8:00PM

April 22, 3:00PM

BUY TICKETS AT:
http://www.legacylivellc.com/LEGACY_Live_Entertainment,_LLC/Tickets.html

The 2012 LEGACY Posters. HOT item at the Shows!

LEGACY will be releasing 40 limited edition posters which will be available at the SteppingStone Theatre shows ONLY!!! There is also ONE COPY of this awesome poster on canvas which we predict will be swooped up right away.

These posters are autographed by the entire cast in silver ink and incased in a glass frame. They are ready to be displayed on your wall whether it's your home, office or studio! The artwork on this print features photography from photographer Xavier Tavera & Adam Hester. Design by Luis Castillo. 

The poster displays the information about the SteppingStone shows as well as a quote from a review given by prominent Choreographer, Event Producer and Ballroom Dancing Judge, Amy Anderson. The quote reads:

"The audience was in awe of the interpretation of Jackson's iconic numbers done with perfection by LEGACY - the room was electric with energy and the dance community is still buzzing about it!"

This review was given about LEGACY at the 2011 Twin City Open Ballroom Championships where LEGACY took part in their 2011 showcase which was Michael Jackson themed.

The 40 poster dimensions are 11X17, full vivid color and it’s quite a collectable for LEGACY fans!

Price for these will be $25

The canvas poster (only one print!!!) measures 16X20, full vivid color and it are also autographed in silver ink by the LEGACY cast.

This particular print will be up for grabs for $75

In the past, these posters have been popular amongst LEGACY audience members who have scooped up their copies at concessions.

If you want your framed copy of this incredible piece of art, make sure to stop by the concession stands before or after the show!  Limited supplies!!

2012 Poster Design

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2011 Poster

LEFT: The 2011 posters were very popular amongst many LEGACY spectators. The poster featured dancers Eyvette Maggett, Josh Stevens, Mary Castillo, Anthony Galloway and MJ impersonator “LC Jackson”.

Wearing the infamous “forbidden” costume.

There is a particular costume that I’ve always wanted to wear at one of our large venue shows and for one reason or another I never get to wear. This particular is a piece worn by Michael Jackson during the Dangerous tour during the first ¼ of the show.  It’s the gold bodysuit he wears over his pants. I think he wore that over the pants to draw more emphasis on the crotch area but that's just my guess. What better way to make those movements  more pronounced than with a costume like this! 

There are several reasons why I have not gotten to wear this piece (or got banned from doing so...).

    1. Let’s face it, I have lost a lot of weight since a couple of years back and there is   NO WAY I could have pulled it off. PERIOD. Even today, when I did the fitting for it I was very hesitant but I think all things considered, it will look good- lets hope (lol).

2. My stage manager has always opposed it because of the nature of its “visual message”.  She thinks it’s a bit on the “riskay” side for the younger audiences. This costume has a faint but very present gender-bending look about it. I can understand her concern. 

3.  In the past, the setlist has not been favorable to wear this costume; this costume is VERY hard to get in and out of in less than 42 seconds (which is the average costume change time). Getting out of it is extremely hard especially because you have to watch the makeup and hair; it's got funky angles and loops. This time, the setlist is perfect and it’s a done deal!

I understand the risks that come from wearing this costume. It’s one that may be found comical to some and “too much” to others. The truth is, it’s what MJ wore and my job is to try to duplicate not only the dance and movement but also the appearance; including costumes. It’s a risk I’m taking in honor of Michael and what I do. If I don't take what I do seriously, there is not point of doing it. Taking this job seriously requires making daring moves and risking some ridicule quite frankly. I'm willing to do it. 

High Velocity Fans

Another thing we’re having this time around is fans to propel fog/haze upward and sideways onto the stage for some numbers. The fans being used are not those you can find at your local hardware mom and pop shop. These are industrial fans designed to blow your panties off you when you walk by. HAHAHAHA…. These things are HUGE!  The last time we had these in our show was in 2002.  It will be interesting to have these back! Not to mention the heaven-sent moments of cool-down after spending a long time under hot stage lighting, layers of costumes, makeup and wigs.

There will be so much to see, no doubt!!!  

-LC

Lighting Designer Ian Knodel

Finding a lighting designer has always been a challenge for us. There are so many good ones out there and it’s always difficult booking one because they are in such high demand especially in the Twin Cities area as we have theatres EVERYWHERE!!

Also, usually designers are “supposed to” be booked way in advanced and for one reason on another we end up hiring ours literally WEEKS before the show which is always not the best idea.

This time around we did things very differently. We did our research and spoke to several lighting designers. Some of those we’ve worked with before and some we’ve only heard of. After meeting with several of them, we narrowed it down and decided that the best fit for this year’s LEGACY show would be Ian Knodel.

During our research, my wife was the one who found Ian and after contacting him, she said to me: “This guy, is your guy- I just know it”. That’s how well she knows me; down to what lighting designer I would choose. LOL

I was very impressed with Ian since the first time we spoke over the phone.

When I first spoke to him on the phone there was something he said that made me feel like he knew and understood what LEGACY is about. He was telling me that he thought LEGACY was not a show about “dance numbers”, one after the other. He said to me: “you’re conveying a feeling, you know?” 

When he said that I knew right away that he knew and understood what I do and why I do what I do. I try to convey whatever it is MJ felt onstage during those moments and spill that emotion onto the audience through performance.

I met with Ian after one of his shows in Minneapolis and we talked about LEGACY, his current and past work, family and the VERY ORIGINAL punk-rock band that happened to be playing that night where we met.

I got to see some of his work and I was very impressed. What really impressed me the most was that when we went through different lighting scenes he had worked on, he explained what he was trying to convey with each design and why. Throughout, I could feel his passion for his work. He is truly passionate about his work and it shows. I love to work with passionate people because it’s the best way to truly get the best out of them in terms of their work. The work becomes less technical and more about the art form.  I believe that the art and the passion you put into it is what conveys feeling to the viewer- not just the technique.

Ian has worked on many productions in theatres such as Bedlam , Southern, Loring and Mixed Blood to name a few. He has also done lighting for non-traditional venues as well as nightclub lighting which will come in handy during some of the numbers in our setlist. I think Ian will be a great asset to the SteppingStone Theatre shows as well as those at L’Homme Deu Theatre this summer. It’s going to be incredible.

LC

The Show Approaches Debut!

The new LEGACY shows are underway to debut on April 19th. This time it’s an “on our own” production. Were talking insurance, liabilities, employment of some artist to do costuming and lighting as well as managing and direct the stage etc. For these shows, I’ve taken on choreography, marketing, music editing as well as the business side of the production which includes production financing and handling whatever comes my way from any of the areas mentioned above. It’s a BEAST of a project. On top of that, in the background I’m working on the second set of shows at L’Homme Deu Theatre in Alexandria which hit in July. Needless to say, I’m exhausted!!  

What’s NOT exhausting is the kick ass show this one in turning out to be. I must say that this show will be different than others in the past.

I’ve been told by several theatre directors that I need to condense LEGACY to something SOLID and "stable". I always like to play around with the songs and dance numbers in terms of variety. I always like to throw in something completely random like “Blood on the Dance  Floor” or “Ghost”. This is something other MJ impersonators are not doing. For the most part, they stick to the classics which is great but I like to add something different to our show in order to stand out from the hundreds of MJ impersonators there are out there.

In taking advice from directors in this business, I'm working towards making this show to be “the best of LEGACY” if you will. I’ve taken people’s favorite numbers and turned this show into what it’s becoming; solid, dance PACKED and high energy. There are still some surprises in there that I know I didn’t see coming until it was brought to the table. 

LEGACY has promo-shows scheduled in various places such as the Winter Carnival, The Saloon, the Landmark Center and other locations in order to push promotion for LEGACY at SteppingStone Theatre. You might notice that LEGACY isn’t naming times and dates on many shows that come to light on YouTube or Facebook and that’s because I'm targeting brand new audiences. I want our current audiences to go to the show and see everything as brand new and not something they saw at a promo-event.

The toughest challenge at this point has truly been hiring a Lighting Designer/Technical Director. We started with six candidates and now were down to two. One we’ve worked with before and the other one is new. Both are great and it’s difficult choosing who’s going to light this show. As a matter of fact, this year’s budget is geared to the lighting design. I told every potential designer "I want your design to be inspired by MJ, the music and this image (the promos). It's full of color, saturation and movement. 

I am very happy where we are at this point and I’m looking forward to opening the doors to this incredible piece if work. Michael Jackson gives us SO MUCH to work with and I am in awe when I really dive in, deep and get to experience his work from a completely different standpoint that the listener. 

LC 

P.S. Yes, you will see “Remember the Time” in this show. I know that was a big mistake last year (leaving it out). Many of you were not so fond of that decision. Well, it’s back!!  And better than ever!  

Promo Cards
Photography- Xavier Tavera
Design- "LC Jackson"