QUICK TAKES - May 21, 2009

In a move that raised the specter of previous concert cancellations and no-shows over the last dozen years, Michael Jackson has rescheduled the opening date of “This Is It,” his 50-show comeback performance set for London’s O2 Arena.

Citing challenges presented by a “massive and technically complex show,” “This Is It” director Kenny Ortega and Randy Phillips, chief executive of the concerts’ producer, AEG Live, said that the first of Jackson’s concerts would now kick off on July 13, pushed back from its original start date of July 8. Three make-up performances will take place in March 2010.

“There’s nothing nefarious,” Phillips said in a video news conference Wednesday. “There’s nothing going on with his health. This is strictly a production issue.”

Ortega promised Jackson fans that the concerts would be worth the wait, featuring special effects, elaborate costumes bejeweled with Swarovski crystals, “stunts” and plenty of the Gloved One’s iconic choreography as well as fresh dance moves.

-- Chris Lee