'This Is It,' indeed, for Jackson fans

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By Stephanie Green

A diverse cross section of Washingtonians, black and white, young and old, soldiered through gloomy weather to

area movie theaters yesterday for the opening of Michael Jackson's "This Is It," seeking communion with the late King of Pop's spirit and emotional closure after his untimely death June 25.

The film, a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the troubled star's dazzling rehearsals for last summer's scheduled return to live performing with a 50-show engagement at London's O2 Arena, yesterday reached No. 15 on MovieTickets.com's list of the top 25 advance ticket sellers of all time.

"He was a genius. He was the biggest rock star of their lifetimes and certainly my lifetime," said Kate Fralin, who had brought her two children, Hayden, 10, and Hallie, 8, with her to an afternoon screening at Mazza Gallerie AMC Theater in Northwest Washington.

"I wanted to go to his last concert but never had the chance, and that's why I am here and because he transcended generational lines," she explained.

"You could see that Michael treated everyone well. It didn't matter who they were," reflected Debra Brownlee, who came to a lunchtime showing at Regal Gallery Place Stadium, also in Northwest Washington. "We grew up on Michael Jackson. We love him."

Her sister, Darlene Brownlee, added, "I'll be back. I have to bring my 13-year-old son. He's in school today."

Kelly Brewster, who also was at Mazza Gallerie, told The Washington Times that the film for her was an opportunity to "say goodbye and maybe have some closure" following Jackson's death in June as he was putting the finishing touches on his eagerly awaited comeback show.

"I grew up with him," she said. "He was more like a family member than an icon."

Others also cited their feelings of personal connection to the music legend as their reason for coming to see the film.

"I was into Mike since 'ABC'," said Anthony Offutt, referring to the classic tune sung by Jackson as the youngest member of the Jackson 5.

Like Ms. Fralin and the Brownlee sisters, Mr. Offutt turned the outing to see "This Is It" into a family affair, bringing his wife, Sheila, their 10-year-old daughter, Shannia, and brother Johnny with him.

"When I come out of the theater, I think I am going to think of Michael Jackson as still being alive," Mr. Offutt allowed.

"He's not dead as long as he is still alive in our hearts," Mrs. Offutt added.

Although the majority of the attendees at Mazza Gallerie were black, there were a large number of white moviegoers who spoke of just as strong a connection to Jackson.

"He changed my life," recalled Michael Chase. "I grew up in the rural West, and he was the first black artist I was exposed to. He was the first black artist who crossed over."

As Mr. Offutt put it, "God put him on the earth for a mission, and that was to bring people together, and when he died, the job for him was done."

Elizabeth Glover contributed to this report.