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A billboard posted on the outside of London's O2 Arena, where Michael Jackson was to begin his 50-date residency on July 13.
Onstage at Staples Center, associates say, the performer radiated joy as he prepared for his comeback tour.
Michael Jackson spent his final night alive in his favorite spot on Earth: the stage.At Staples Center Wednesday night, the performer did a full run-through of his planned comeback concert. He and his company -- dancers, musicians, singers, aerial performers, choreographers and costumers -- planned to fly to England early next week for final dress rehearsals at London's O2 Arena, the site of the pop superstar's 50-night sold-out run.
By lunchtime Thursday, Jackson was in cardiac arrest. But in Staples Center's spotlight, he was in high spirits and totally engaged, according to a number of his collaborators. Energetic, optimistic and focused, Jackson gave no indication of what was to come, they said. The show's director, Kenny Ortega -- a journeyman choreographer and movie director whose career highlights include "High School Musical," the "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour" and "Dirty Dancing" -- began work with Jackson on the intricate staging four months ago. On Thursday, Ortega recalled Jackson as bursting with enthusiasm and personally invested in the production's most minute details.
source: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/business/la-et-jackson-rehearsal27-2009jun27,0,7056102.story
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