When J. Michael Lucas was five years old, he was spinning in his living room to the music of Michael Jackson. Dancing was an important part of his life, as were the tunes of the King of Pop. Lucas went on to dance professionally, sharing stages with Britney Spears  – and doing TV, commercial and major motion picture work with stars including John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Biel and Katherine Heigl.

 

And with all that going for him, what the Aiken, South Carolina native really aspired to be was a professional golfer. At age 30, he was touring, carrying a two handicap and working his way to a nationwide tour.

 

All of that changed on June 25, 2009 – the day Michael Jackson died after suffering cardiac arrest.

 

“It tore me up. I wanted to do something to keep his music and legacy alive,” Lucas said. “I started studying every single day – four to six hours a day, watching videos and watching concerts, studying how he conducted himself on and off stage – in interviews and various mannerisms.”

 

When he believed he had studied and practiced enough to do the music legend justice, he started performing little shows around his hometown – and people liked what they saw.

 

One day a friend suggested he contact Legends in Concert.

 

“He said I should think about calling them and doing an audition,” Lucas said. “He said he really thought I could go somewhere with this.”

 

He followed his friend’s advice and – along with 1100 other Michael Jackson tribute artists from around the world – auditioned for a performance role.

 

“Three months after I auditioned, I got a callback and I’ve been doing it ever since,” he said.

 

It all started with a two-week trial run was in Branson, Missouri.

 

“I did anywhere from three to eight shows a day with crowds ranging between 800 and 1200 people,” he said.

 

Since then, Lucas has performed in Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas, Miami and Atlanta and on cruise ships to ports in Mexico and Italy. In the near future, he’ll be en route to Hawaii – and back to Vegas.

 

But first, he’ll be doing a Michael Jackson tribute show at Bridgeport High School.  The Nov. 2 show has been organized by Stacey Randolph as a fundraiser for Bridgeport Middle School Boosters.

 

Performing in a small town for an audience of 400 or so is a much smaller show than Lucas is accustomed to. Yet, he’s just as excited about this show as any.

 

“I love doing Michael Jackson period,” he said. “When I was asked if I would consider doing this show, I said absolutely. I know how much Stacey and her kids love Michael Jackson and they are very big fans and supporters of mine.”

 

The Bridgeport show will feature the “bad era” and will include some of Lucas’s favorite numbers of the 1980s – “Wanna Be Starting Something,” “Billy Jean,” “Smooth Criminal” and, of course, “Thriller.”

 

Lucas said he tries to give 120 percent in every show he does.

 

“It’s fun to get into the character – into his outfits, into his jackets and portray that character,” said Lucas, who does his own makeup to accomplish an incredible transformation in appearance. (See YouTube video below.) 

 

Though he is obviously multitalented, Lucas gives all the glory to God and hopes what he does brings happiness to others. 

 

“I know I am very blessed and happy to be able to do it and hopefully when I perform as Michael, people get that sensation. For the hour two hours or so I’m on stage, I get to bring back the good memories of Michael Jackson – the way he performed and electrified audiences.”

 

It’s not just the music, it’s the man, Lucas said.

 

“He’s a childhood hero of mine and it was heartbreaking to see him go the way he did,” Lucas said. “He faced the media, the tabloids and the music industry came crashing down on him. He was in such turmoil. And he did so much for humanity, for the music industry and for the world.”

 

Contributing to the show as background dancers are Bryanna DeFazio, Jordan Lawrence, Kaci McCleery and Cam Williams.

 

General admission tickets are $10 and VIP seating – rows two through eight – is $20 per person. Post-show meet and greet with Lucas and backup dancers is an additional $2. Tickets can be purchased by calling Randolph at 304-669-3753.

 

More than half of seats have been spoken for, Randolph said. She's very excited for her hometown to see Lucas in action. She predicts audience members' jaws will drop - just as hers did when she first witnessed his show.