Two Founding Members Say Goodbye To LEGACY

This was a very difficult Blog post to write but I got it done... and here it is....

The show that took place at Treasure Island Resort and Casino marked a very important time in our short history.

On October 6, 2015, G.L. Berg Entertainment & LEGACY Live Entertainment, LLC brought the full-scale show to Treasure Island which was very exciting for us. We played a 90min. non-stop show on the main stage at the T.I. Event Center. Unlike the theatre version of this show, we had no intermission, no pauses, nothing. It was a very cardio-intensive show to say the least.

This show also marked what was a sad day for the production as my long-time friend and Stage Manager, Gloria Kiffmeyer was calling her last show with LEGACY. Gloria was one of the founders of LEGACY. She's seen the show grow from an amateur show to a more professional production. As a matter of fact, Gloria was actually the person who gave LEGACY its name. I'll never forget the day we were sitting around the table (her, Marques and I) coming up with ideas for a name. Originally, I was going to title the show "Who's Bad" but they felt it left us with a very narrow and stereotypical scope. "LEGACY- A Tribute to Michael Jackson!!!" She said. I recall feeling excited about a name so iconic and so long-lasting. "yes!!!" LEGACY it is". Before we made it a legal name, we took out the "Michael Jackson" and replaced it with "The King of Pop" which is just as identifiable as MJ. This was to avoid any future issues involving using Michael's name in our actual title. 

Gloria, calling the show in St. Cloud, MN (2014)

Gloria has since been married and has a family to tend to. LEGACY can be time consuming and I completely respect her decision and I will miss her dearly. She has always been my "advice-central". She's a very intelligent lady who I always look up to for reassurance when making big decisions for the group. She's always brutally honest and is quick to put me in my place if I become too demanding. I will miss that very, very much.

On the other hand, my best friend, my little brother from another mother and the third founding member of LEGACY will be leaving the show. Marques Mathhias who was the Production Manager accepted a position at sea (literally) and will no longer be part of the show. He will be working as Entertainment Staff for a big cruise liner and I can't think of a better job for him. He is AMAZING at managing and understands entertainment and client-relations. He has skills that are valuable and hard to find in someone who not only manages the back-end of an entertainment buisness but also gets onstage and kicks ass. 

LC & Marques (2013)

Marques has been with me since 2001 and has always been one of the main pillars for the show. He's the person I trust the most both, personally and professionally. He's the person who's stopped me from brining in pyro-technics and dangerous things into the show; he's Mr. Safety First.  I'm still trying to figure out how LEGACY will function without him, let alone how I will function without him. If there have been times when I've cried onstage or off, he's always there. If I need help working with clients, dancers, volunteer staff, students, he's there. If I make questionable dating decisions, he's there to lecture me and give me my dose of reality. If I need frickin' amino acid pills during a brutal show week, you know who I go to... and he's there. 

These two special people are so important to me and as devastated as I was when I learned about their departures from the show, I am happy for them. Each have their own, personal and important reasons for departing and I need to be there and support their decisions. I love them and will miss them onstage and in the control booth.

Gloria and Marques at dancer auditions (2011)

What they didn't realize is that by both of them leaving at the same time they leave one crazy alter-ego (LC Jackson) making all the creative decisions without consulting!!! Uh oh.... 

They always opted for no explosions, no cherry pickers, no rising platforms with fans and things like that...  Hehe... O..M..G...

I'll be announcing our new, permanent Stage Manager soon as I will need to fill Gloria's spot. In the interim, I will pick up the managing of the production. 

Marques, Gloria and I at our very last show, together. Treasure Island (10/6/2015)