INDIANAPOLIS — The familiar tunes of the King of Pop blend with the theatrics of Cirque Du Soleil for a beautifully choreographed evening of eye-catching fantasy and musical tribute for the Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour.

For one University of Michigan graduate and Zionsville native, being part of the tour is a dream come true.

Gymnast Ryan McCarthy will return to Indiana for two nights. It’s a chance for friends and family to see the 25-year-old perform.

McCarthy and Cirque Du Soleil publicist Maxime Charbonneau spoke about the tour in a phone interview with The Herald Bulletin.

The performances are set for 8 p.m. on Feb. 24 and 25 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

THB: How did you get interested in Cirque Du Soleil and THE IMMORTAL tour?

McCarthy: I’ve been involved in gymnastics my whole life. I had a coach that was interested in Cirque as a child and that’s how I learned about it. I’d always sneak and watch the shows on TV. My parents surprised me in high school and flew me out to see it live. I loved it.

THB: How did you finally get on board?

McCarthy: In 2009, I auditioned in Toronto. I got into the training program in Las Vegas but didn’t get a contract, but then they offered me a Michael Jackson contract. Every performer is given a profile that has their height and skills. Mine were what they were looking for.

Charbonneau: Yeah, there are very specific requirements. Some shows require more gymnastics or for the performer’s height to be 5 feet 6 inches because of the way the show was built.

THB: Were you a Michael Jackson fan?

McCarthy: Michael Jackson is really well known around the world so I knew of him. I wouldn’t really consider myself a big fan. It’s been neat to work alongside with the people that knew him and worked with him. They embark that (who Jackson was) on us, and I feel like I know him.  

THB: Now that you are more familiar with Jackson, do you have any favorite songs?

McCarthy: I’ve listened to him for five months so I am learning to like it. I like “Wanna Be Starting Something” and “Can You Feel It.”

Charbonneau: There are roughly 40 songs in the show. Some are complete songs and some are medleys.

THB: Do you have a favorite thing or part of the show?

McCarthy: The show is done very well. There are high energy points and mellow and sad parts. The transitions are done well. Some of his family and friends have come to the shows. Sometimes they are in tears then they are up on their feet dancing.

THB: How long are you on tour?

McCarthy: We’re in North America the first year then Europe and Asia so like three or three and a half years.

Charbonneau: We have dates in 65 cities across North America. We’ve been to 20 so far. There are quite a few left to go. The other dates are still to be determined.

THB: What’s it like returning to what is essentially your hometown?

McCarthy: It’s exciting. It’s a very cool aspect of performing. All my friends moved across the U.S. so I run into friends all over. In Denver I had two former teammates, and it was exciting knowing they were in the crowd. It’s especially neat because they are gymnasts too and understand the technical aspects of what I do. But being in Indy is exciting because my family will be there.



The Herald Bulletin

INDIANAPOLIS — The familiar tunes of the King of Pop blend with the theatrics of Cirque Du Soleil for a beautifully choreographed evening of eye-catching fantasy and musical tribute for the Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour.

For one University of Michigan graduate and Zionsville native, being part of the tour is a dream come true.

Gymnast Ryan McCarthy will return to Indiana for two nights. It’s a chance for friends and family to see the 25-year-old perform.

McCarthy and Cirque Du Soleil publicist Maxime Charbonneau spoke about the tour in a phone interview with The Herald Bulletin.

The performances are set for 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, 25, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

THB: How did you get interested in Cirque Du Soleil and THE IMMORTAL tour?

McCarthy: I’ve been involved in gymnastics my whole life. I had a coach that was interested in Cirque as a child and that’s how I learned about it. I’d always sneak and watch the shows on TV. My parents surprised me in high school and flew me out to see it live. I loved it.

THB: How did you finally get on board?

McCarthy: In 2009, I auditioned in Toronto. I got into the training program in Las Vegas but didn’t get a contract, but then they offered me a Michael Jackson contract. Every performer is given a profile that has their height and skills. Mine were what they were looking for.

Charbonneau: Yeah, there are very specific requirements. Some shows require more gymnastics or for the performer’s height to be 5 feet 6 inches because of the way the show was built.

THB: Were you a Michael Jackson fan?

McCarthy: Michael Jackson is really well known around the world so I knew of him. I wouldn’t really consider myself a big fan. It’s been neat to work alongside with the people that knew him and worked with him. They embark that (who Jackson was) on us, and I feel like I know him.  

THB: Now that you are more familiar with Jackson, do you have any favorite songs?

McCarthy: I’ve listened to him for five months so I am learning to like it. I like “Wanna Be Starting Something” and “Can You Feel It.”

Charbonneau: There are roughly 40 songs in the show. Some are complete songs and some are medleys.

THB: Do you have a favorite thing or part of the show?

McCarthy: The show is done very well. There are high energy points and mellow and sad parts. The transitions are done well. Some of his family and friends have come to the shows. Sometimes they are in tears then they are up on their feet dancing.

THB: How long are you on tour?

McCarthy: We’re in North America the first year then Europe and Asia so like three or three and a half years.

Charbonneau: We have dates in 65 cities across North America. We’ve been to 20 so far. There are quite a few left to go. The other dates are still to be determined.

THB: What’s it like returning to what is essentially your hometown?

McCarthy: It’s exciting. It’s a very cool aspect of performing. All my friends moved across the U.S. so I run into friends all over. In Denver I had two former teammates, and it was exciting knowing they were in the crowd. It’s especially neat because they are gymnasts too and understand the technical aspects of what I do. But being in Indy is exciting because my family will be there.