Michael Jackson may be gone but he's not forgotten. Cirque du Soleil brings The Immortal World Tour at the United Center for two dates this week. This dazzling show centers around the choreography and music of the late great pop icon.
Puerto Rican dancer/choreographer Leo Moctezuma, a member of the GLBT community, is performing in this production coming from a strong background of working with big named concert acts from Christina Aguilera to Ricky Martin. Dance Track Magazine awarded him Best Choreography on a Touring Show for Pink's Funhouse Tour. Look for his current video, "2 Da Left," combining his singing and dancing with a Glee star and a Pussycat Doll.
Get ready for a "Thriller" of a show and read below to get to know a little more about this talented artist.
Windy City Times: Hola, Leo. Are you a New Yorker or a Hawaiian? I couldn't figure that out.
Leo Moctezuma: [Laughs] I am a born New Yorker. I'm Nuyorican. I went to high school in Hawaii.
WCT: Not a bad place to study…
Leo Moctezuma: Not at all; it was kind of amazing.
WCT: What part of Puerto Rico is your family from?
Leo Moctezuma: From Yabucoa, about 45 minutes south of San Juan.
WCT: How did you start choreographing and dancing?
Leo Moctezuma: I started dancing when I was young in Puerto Rico. My cousin and I used to do little talent shows when we were younger at the festivals in Puerto Rico. I didn't start seriously until I was in high school in Hawaii. I did musical theater. My dream was to be an actor and I danced around but found my love for it in high school and got serious about the arts.
WCT: How did that lead to you touring with major acts like the Spice Girls and Britney Spears?
Leo Moctezuma: After I graduated from high school, Disney Orlando offered me a job. My choices were to go to L.A., start from scratch and struggle—or go to Florida and make some money. Orlando was like my college year. I got hands-on performance experience. I wouldn't change it for the world.
While in Orlando I did so many shows and wound up working with Jamie King, who directed a lot of the shows I did as well as Michael Jackson's Immortal. It has come full circle!
WCT: It really has. I saw the Pink Funhouse tour. How did you start working with her?
Did you choreograph her spinning in the air? Because that is very Cirque, too.
Leo Moctezuma: Me and my choreographing partner, Alison Faulk, assisted the Talauega Brothers on [Pink's] I'm Not Dead Tour. The Brothers also danced for Michael and choreographed some number in this Immortal tour as well. Again, this is full circle. For the Funhouse tour Pink—Alecia herself—contacted Alison and I to choreograph that tour.
Dreya Weber choreographed the stuff in the air but she was in cahoots with us.
WCT: Chicago is the 67th stop on the Immortal tour. How is it going?
Leo Moctezuma: It is going amazing. We started touring in October. I have always been a Michael fan since I was a little kid, dancing the moves and watching the videos. It is a blessing to be able to be in the show. Of course, I would have liked to have danced for him and with him but I feel like we are continuing his legacy.
WCT: Can you describe the show?
Leo Moctezuma: It is basically a montage of a celebration of his life. We bring many of his music videos to reality onstage, the iconic moves and choreography. It is a must-see show!
WCT: Has the Jackson family seen it?
Leo Moctezuma: Yes. The estate is part of show so they are heavily involved. His mom and all of the brothers have come to see the show many times, for many of the premieres and when the show opened in Montreal. They have come to Los Angeles and Vegas. The family loves it.
WCT: Do you have a favorite number from the show that you like?
Leo Moctezuma: I actually have a favorite section. It is the hotel section. It opens up with "Smooth Criminal," then moves to "Dangerous." That section is awesome. We have a lot of original choreography. It is a very iconic style that Michael used to bring in his video shoots, like the moonwalk.
WCT: "Thriller" looked good from the preview as well.
Leo Moctezuma: I am not in "Thriller" because I am in the number before it. I am a bat creature with big wings so I introduce the scary section. When we go offstage, "Thriller" starts. The good thing about not being in it is that I get to watch it from back stage.
WCT: Did I see a one-legged dancer in the preview online?
Leo Moctezuma: Yes; we have b-boy, Jean Sok. He is amazing. He has one leg and it is unbelievable and inspiring what he can do on his crutches and hands. He is the definition of an artist. He is someone Michael would be inspired by and have in the show. It shows anything is possible.
WCT: Has the show been to Puerto Rico?
Leo Moctezuma: No, it has not. As of now, there aren't any plans to go there. Puerto Rico is a small island so it is a lot of money to bring the whole production there. I have only been on two tours that have gone there, one of which was Ricky Martin. It is kind of obvious that he would go to his hometown.
WCT: Did you see Evita [the Broadway show that stars Martin]?
Leo Moctezuma: I actually did. I saw it the night before opening. I wanted to go support him. I thought he was fantastic. I must confess I didn't love the show but he was the best thing in it. He did a great job. His voice sounded great and his acting was on point. I was really proud of him.
WCT: You have your own music as well. I have been watching the videos.
Leo Moctezuma: I have been recording the past couple of years. I am trying to get serious about the music and doing it all by myself. I am trying to do club shows around the country promoting my music and separate from the show because I am my own identity. It is so nice to have the support of the cast of the show.
WCT: How did you get to be friends with Glee's Heather Morris, who is in the video?
Leo Moctezuma: She and I have done dance gigs together. My second performance that I ever sang she danced for me. It was an LGBTQ fundraiser called "We Are Golden." We have been friends for a while. I have worked on the show Glee as well, so when I am on set it is great to see her. She is fantastic and deserves her success. She is so talented and so humble. I just called her up and she said, "Hell, yeah. I will be in your video!"
WCT: Where does the Immortal Tour head next after Chicago?
Leo Moctezuma: We leave for Ottawa the next day. We have been all over the world now!
See Leo and the gang perform "Smooth Criminal," among other acts, at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., at 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, July 20-21. For tickets, visit www.cirquedusoliel.com/michaeljackson and for more Moctezuma, see www.LeoMoctezuma.com .
