Craterian Theater at the Collier Center for the Performing arts

Craterian Performances announces new June 13 show:

The Ultimate Thriller: “The” Michael Jackson Tribute

A bow to the star’s legacy with electrifying music and iconic dance moves

Craterian Performances presents The Ultimate Thriller: “The” Michael Jackson Tribute at 7:30 pm Thursday, June 13, at the Craterian Theater at The Collier Center for the Performing Arts, Medford.

Poised to be the world’s most authentic and exciting Michael Jackson live concert tribute show, The Ultimate Thriller gathered thousands of fans while touring Europe in 2010 and is now announcing an official tour in the United States. The show is based on Jackson’s “Dangerous” and “Bad” concert tours and features iconic songs like “Black or White,” “Beat It,” and “Billie Jean.” Other parts of the concert include material from the days when Jackson was a member of The Jackson 5, along with selected songs from the “Thriller” and “Off The Wall” albums.

Fronting the show is Italian superstar Fabio Morda who has been portraying Michael for more than 10 years. Morda is supported by an expert dance squad choreographed by Jackson’s own beloved dance experts and friends Mic Thompson and LaVelle Smith Jr. who performed with King of Pop for many years. Together with an electrifying band and Jackson’s personal audio consultant Michael Prince, this world-class troupe is working hard to keep Michael Jackson’s legacy alive and live up to his standards of perfection.

Lavelle Smith Jr. decided to begin working with The Ultimate Thriller because “I believe if anyone is going to do anything in tribute to MJ, they should do it on his level, meaning as close to perfect as possible. Everyone in The Ultimate Thriller is extremely talented and hard-working. I love to close my eyes and listen, because it really takes me back. I also love sharing my knowledge with them the way MJ did with me. For all the artists involved, this tour is about more than nostalgia. It is about carrying on the magic, music and energy Jackson brought to the world.”

“After touring extensively through Europe,” says Robert Hyman, The Ultimate Thriller show producer, “We played a few shows in the States and the fans went crazy! We even had to add security for the safety of our Michael. Now, we have partnered with Columbia Artists Theatricals to kick off an official U.S. tour that is sure to thrill fans and help keep Michael Jackson’s memory alive.”

For millions of people Jackson was an idol. For nearly four decades, before his death in June 2009, he formed pop music culture worldwide. He wrote the soundtrack for an entire era, influencing fashion, lifestyles and dances of generations in the process. He was one of the most successful artists in pop history, selling more than 750 million albums – including “Thriller,” the best selling album ever. Through the years he had 14 number one songs in the US charts, won 18 Grammys, and performed the single most successful concert series at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Tickets for the Craterian show are $42, $45, and $48, available now at www.craterian.org, by phone at 541-779-3000 or in person at the Box Office, 16 S. Bartlett Street, Medford.

Craterian Performances is the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Craterian Theater at The Collier Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Medford. Originally a vaudeville theater opened in 1924, the building underwent a $5 million renovation in the mid-1990s to become a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose community facility. Generous support from individuals, businesses and foundations helps Craterian Performances provide high-quality cultural entertainment and educational opportunities for all ages. Learn more at www.craterian.org.