10 Reasons to See, This Is Michael: Relive the Legend, at City of Dreams Sri Lanka.
By: Thasmina Sookoor
What would it feel like to experience Michael Jackson live in concert? While no performance can truly replace the King of Pop, This Is Michael: Relive the Legend aims to bring audiences remarkably close to the music, movement, energy and spectacle that defined his legendary performances. Arriving in Colombo on the 8th and 9th of November 2026, the internationally acclaimed production will take over The Podium at City of Dreams Sri Lanka for two nights only. At the centre of the show is Lenny Jay, joined by an international cast of musicians, singers and dancers in a production featuring spectacular staging and more than 20 of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits.
Having staged more than 180 performances, sold over 500,000 tickets and travelled across more than 15 countries and 25 cities, This Is Michael has built a significant international following. Its arrival in Colombo gives Sri Lankan audiences an opportunity to experience a large-scale production celebrating the music and performance legacy of one of the most influential entertainers in popular music history. Here are 10 reasons why This Is Michael: Relive the Legend is set to be one of Colombo’s must-see live entertainment experiences this November.
1. More than 180 performances and over 500,000 tickets sold worldwide
This Is Michael arrives in Sri Lanka with an established international track record. The production has staged more than 180 performances and sold over 500,000 tickets worldwide, reflecting the continuing global interest in Michael Jackson’s music and the audience response to the show. Its journey across international entertainment markets has helped the production develop into a major touring concert experience. Each performance brings together music, choreography, staging and theatrical production to recreate the excitement associated with Jackson’s live shows. For Sri Lankan audiences, the Colombo performances offer the opportunity to see a production that has already been experienced by hundreds of thousands of concertgoers around the world.
2. Lenny Jay brings Michael Jackson’s performance style to the stage
At the centre of This Is Michael is Lenny Jay, whose portrayal is built on years of studying Michael Jackson’s voice, mannerisms, movement and distinctive stage presence. Rather than focusing on appearance alone, Jay’s performance seeks to capture the details that made Jackson such a compelling live entertainer. From vocal delivery and gestures to choreography and interaction with the audience, his role is central to creating the atmosphere of the concert. His portrayal has also received recognition from members of the Jackson family, adding further significance to the production for fans who have followed Michael Jackson’s career and performances over the decades. Together with the musicians, singers and dancers surrounding him, Jay leads audiences through a concert experience shaped around the songs and performance moments that defined Jackson’s career.
3. A production that has performed at major venues around the world
Before arriving in Colombo, This Is Michael has travelled across more than 15 countries and 25 cities, appearing at major venues in several international entertainment markets. Its touring history includes performances at Arena CDMX and Arena Monterrey in Mexico, Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, Palacio Vistalegre Arena in Madrid, Movistar Arena in Chile, Roig Arena in Valencia, Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre in Kuwait. These appearances have taken the production to audiences across Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, establishing an international touring footprint. This November, Colombo becomes the latest destination on that journey, with The Podium at City of Dreams Sri Lanka hosting the production on the 8th and 9th of November.
4. More than 20 Michael Jackson hits packed into two hours
For fans, the music is at the heart of the experience. Across approximately two hours, This Is Michael brings together more than 20 songs associated with some of the most memorable moments of Michael Jackson’s career. The concert includes favourites such as Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, They Don’t Care About Us, Man in the Mirror, Dangerous, The Way You Make Me Feel, Black or White, Earth Song, Beat It, Bad and Remember the Time. The set brings together different periods of Jackson’s career, moving between high energy dance tracks, anthems and some of his most recognisable recordings. For longtime fans, it is an opportunity to revisit songs that became part of the soundtrack of a generation. For newer audiences, the show offers a live introduction to a catalogue that continues to influence popular music and performance.
5. A live performance designed to recreate the concert atmosphere
This Is Michael is built as a live concert experience, with musicians, singers and dancers performing together on stage. The live format plays an important role in creating the energy and immediacy of the production. Rather than simply presenting a sequence of recreated songs, the show aims to capture the atmosphere, momentum and excitement associated with a full concert. The interaction between the performers, live music, choreography, lighting and audience is designed to make each number feel like part of a larger performance journey. For audiences who never had the opportunity to see Michael Jackson perform live, the production offers a chance to experience his music in a setting inspired by the scale and excitement of his concerts.
6. The iconic choreography is a major part of the experience
Michael Jackson changed not only how pop music sounded, but also how it looked on stage. His choreography became inseparable from his music, with movements and sequences that remain instantly recognisable decades after they were first performed. This Is Michael places that visual legacy at the heart of the production. From the signature choreography associated with Thriller to the precision of Smooth Criminal and the unmistakable performance moments of Billie Jean, the show recreates movements that became landmarks in popular culture.
The choreography is supported by an international dance ensemble, allowing some of Jackson’s most ambitious performance sequences to be brought to life on stage. For many fans, seeing these routines performed in a full concert environment is as important as hearing the songs themselves.
7. A full scale production built around the complete concert experience
This Is Michael goes beyond the format of a conventional tribute performance by bringing multiple production elements together to create a complete theatrical concert experience. Costumes, lighting, stage design, visual effects, cinematography, music video recreations, stage props and theatrical elements combine with the live musicians, singers and dancers throughout the show. These elements help recreate the visual storytelling that was central to Michael Jackson’s performances. His concerts were known for combining music with choreography, dramatic staging, costumes and cinematic ideas, turning individual songs into complete performance moments. This Is Michael draws on that approach to create an immersive experience designed to transport audiences into the world of a large-scale Michael Jackson concert.
8. An experience for longtime fans and a new generation
Michael Jackson’s music continues to cross generations. For those who grew up listening to his albums, watching his music videos and following his performances, This Is Michael offers an opportunity to revisit familiar songs in a live environment. At the same time, younger audiences who discovered his music years later can experience the choreography, visual storytelling and stagecraft that helped shape modern pop performance. That multigenerational appeal makes the Colombo performances an experience that can be shared by families and groups of different ages. Parents who remember Jackson at the height of his career can experience the music alongside children and younger fans discovering the songs and iconic performances in a new setting.
9. An international touring production arrives in Colombo
The arrival of This Is Michael brings another international scale entertainment production to Sri Lankan audiences. Following its performances across major venues and entertainment markets around the world, the production now brings its international cast, staging, choreography and concert format to Colombo. The show has developed a strong following through its extensive touring history and has established itself as a leading Michael Jackson tribute concert and live touring production. For Sri Lankan audiences, its arrival provides an opportunity to experience a production that has already captivated concertgoers across multiple international markets without having to travel overseas. The performances also add to Colombo’s growing calendar of international live entertainment experiences, with City of Dreams Sri Lanka providing the setting for the two-night engagement.
10. The Michael Jackson concert experience is now just a short drive away
For audiences in Colombo, perhaps the biggest reason to attend is also the simplest. An internationally travelled production celebrating the music, movement and spectacle of Michael Jackson is coming directly to the city.
For two nights, audiences can experience more than 20 hits, live musicians, singers, dancers, iconic choreography, elaborate costumes, lighting, visual effects and theatrical staging at The Podium at City of Dreams Sri Lanka. While nothing can replace seeing Michael Jackson himself on stage, This Is Michael: Relive the Legend offers audiences an opportunity to revisit the sound, movement and spectacle associated with his live performances. For longtime fans, it is a chance to relive the music. For younger audiences, it is an opportunity to discover why Jackson’s performances became global cultural moments. And for anyone who simply wants to experience a major international concert production in Colombo, the show promises two memorable nights of entertainment.
City of Dreams Sri Lanka presents This Is Michael: Relive the Legend in association with Seylan Bank, together with Imorich as the Indulgence Partner, Wijeya Newspapers as the Exclusive Print Media Partner, Daily Mirror Online, The Sun and HI!! Online as the Exclusive Digital Media Partner, Emerging Media as the Outdoor Digital Media Partner, DC Group as Creative and Digital Partner, Scope Cinemas as the Cinema Partner, E FM as the Radio Partner and Million Laughs as Event Partner.
Tickets start at LKR 7,500 and are available through: CinnamonBoxOffice.com or by calling: 071 411 7111.
Exclusive Seylan Bank cardholder offers are available from the 19th of August 2026 onwards. Seylan Visa Infinite, Visa Signature and World Mastercard cardholders can enjoy a 20% discount, while Visa Platinum, Visa Gold, Mastercard Freedom and Seylan Debit cardholders can enjoy a 15% discount. Terms and conditions apply.
This Is Michael: Relive the Legend will be staged at The Podium at City of Dreams Sri Lanka on the 8th and 9th of November 2026.
