The King of Pop receives a largely fitting tribute in "Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour" by Cirque du Soleil, a sometimes fantastic, sometimes nutty spectacle that came to Scottrade Center Tuesday night.

A second show is scheduled for 8 p.m. today.

The tour is every bit a Michael Jackson event as it is a Cirque du Soleil show. The two over-the-top entities combine for a two hour-plus performance that is exhilarating and joyous, dark and creepy, and sentimental and sweet.

Among the odd sights: Dancers crawl out of oversized versions of Jackson's trademark penny loafers, a sequined glove dances on stage and a monkey character (Bubbles!) waves his arms.

No actor plays Jackson, but the pop icon is everywhere, with songs such as "Thriller," "Beat It," "Man in the Mirror" and "Billie Jean"; audio of Jackson speaking, and video clips of "Scream" and "Smooth Criminal."

A quartet wearing Jackson-inspired costumes opened the show in front of the main curtain, using acrobatics and graffiti effects as they ran up and down an LED screen to the tune of "Working Day and Night."

The screen dropped away to reveal the full set, an amazing concoction of moving parts, with the musicians on a raised tier.

Videos of a pre-teen Jackson ushered in the gilded gates to Neverland, as bronze statues came to life while "Childhood" played.

"Wanna Be Starting Something," a tribal romp full of African dance, was an early highlight. Acrobats were hoisted high and flying about on the period dance piece that came with "This Place Hotel."

Dancers had Jackson's moves down on "Smooth Criminal," including his iconic "lean." Their vintage-style suits came with their own shooting pyro. Acrobat artist Anna Melnikova lived up to "Dangerous" as she flung herself around a burlesque pole.

One-legged dancer Jean Sok was the one to watch during "Thriller," easily the night's show stealer.

A Jackson 5 medley featuring "I Want You Back" and "ABC," with '70s bell bottoms and Afro wigs, felt corny. The cartoon footage of the group's animated TV series shown in the background was more entertaining than the live performance.

The aerial ballet that came with "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" was a bit of a snooze, and the "Earth Song" routine was as overwrought as the song itself.

St. Louis native Keyon Harrold, a trumpet player who has performed with the likes of Jay-Z and Maxwell, is touring with the show, and he and saxophonist Mike Phillips received special front-stage play during "Can You Feel It."