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MJ the Musical

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This article is about the 2021 production. For the 2006 musical on the same subject, see Thriller – Live.

MJ
The Musical
Broadway poster
MusicVarious artists
LyricsVarious artists
BookLynn Nottage
BasisThe life and music of Michael Jackson
PremiereDecember 6, 2021 (2021-12-06): Neil Simon Theatre, New York City
Productions2021 Broadway
2023 U.S. Tour
2024 West End
AwardsFull list

MJ the Musical is a jukebox musical based on the life of the American entertainer Michael Jackson, focusing on his creative process prior to the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. It features Jackson's music, with a book by Lynn Nottage,[1][2] and direction & choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.

MJ was scheduled to premiere on Broadway in mid-2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.[3] In November 2019, Ephraim Sykes was cast as Jackson,[4][5] but in June 2021 it was announced that he had been replaced by Myles Frost.[6] The production began previews at the Neil Simon Theatre on December 6, 2021, and officially opened on February 1, 2022.[7] It opened in the London West End in 2024.

MJ received mixed reviews, but has been a success at the box office. It was nominated for 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, with the musical winning four awards, including Best Actor in a Musical for Frost, as well as Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design. The original cast recording was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. By June 25, 2024, it has grossed over 200 million dollars[8] and is one of the highest grossing musical theater productions of all time.

Synopsis

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Act I

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The cast members are preparing for rehearsals for Michael's upcoming Dangerous World Tour; the first show in Munich, Germany is in two days. Rob, their manager, tells them to get into their places and warm up. Michael arrives and watches the process, which leads to the opening number ("Beat It").

As Michael shares his newest ideas with Rob, Rachel arrives with her cameraman, Alejandro, in hopes of getting an interview with Michael. Michael sits with Rachel and recounts some of the terrors he suffered as a child and some of the memorable times when Berry Gordy played his family's hits on his Motown label. Michael also discusses his collaboration with Quincy Jones and recording his albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad with Jones.

Rob and Nick escort Michael to the press conference downtown, where he presents his tour and hopes to raise $100 million for his Heal the World Foundation by Christmas 1993 ("Earth Song" / "They Don’t Care About Us").

Act II

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Michael proposes new ideas for the tour ("Billie Jean"/"Smooth Criminal"), which Rob and Dave tell him are impractical and that they cannot afford it. Michael recounts the horrific accident when a spark ignited his hair in the making of an advertisement for Pepsi. After listening to Rob's negative feedback, Michael reminds him of something Quincy said to him, "Keep the faith. Don't let nobody take you down".

As the rehearsal continues, Michael tells Rachel how the songs open up to him. During a break, a commotion breaks out. Rob tries to keep Rachel away from Michael and doesn't want her near him, but Michael manages to find her by disguising himself as a cleaner. He explains to her that the disguise is the only way he can be seen in public, which leads to him singing "Human Nature". After the rehearsal, Michael explains to Rachel how emotional he feels about being loved by fans and about being teased in the newspapers. He tries to blame everything sad and unusual about himself on others (especially the press) but takes sole credit for his good deeds and success.

As Rob comes to check up on him, Michael recalls when he played at the Apollo Theater with the Jackson 5 and how he wasn't nervous. Rob tells Michael that everything they created would be remembered for decades, but the singer replies by asking "Is it perfect?" ("Man in the Mirror"). Michael appears on stage, ready to start the first show of the Dangerous World Tour ("Jam (reprise)", "Black or White" / "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (reprise)".

Cast and characters

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Character Broadway[9] US National Tour[10] West End[11]
2021 2023 2024
Michael Jackson Myles Frost Roman Banks Myles Frost
Teenage Michael / Young Adult Michael Tavon Olds-Sample Brandon Lee Harris Mitchell Zhangazha
Little Michael Christian Wilson / Walter Russell III Josiah Benson / Ethan Joseph Jaydon Eastman /
Elliot Mugume /
Ethan Sokontwe /
Dylan Trigger
Jackie Jackson John Edwards Jay McKenzie Tavio Wright
Tito Jackson / Quincy Jones Apollo Levine Josh A. Dawson Rohan Pinnock-Hamilton
Jermaine Jackson Lamont Walker II Bryson Jacobi Jackson Simeon Montague
Little Marlon Devin Trey Campbell Jaylen Lyndon Hunter Cristiano Cuino / Sekhani Dumezweni / Khanya Madaka / Aidan Oti
Marlon Jackson Zelig Williams Brion Marquis Watson Toyan Thomas-Browne
Randy Jackson Raymond Baynard Malcolm Miles Young Aden Dzuda
Joe Jackson / Rob Quentin Earl Darrington Devin Bowles Ashley Zhangazha
Katherine Jackson Ayana George Anastasia Talley Phebe Edwards
Berry Gordy / Nick Antoine L. Smith J. Daughtry Matt Mills
Rachel Whitney Bashor Mary Kate Moore Philippa Stefani
Alejandro Gabriel Ruíz Da'von Moody Matt Gonsalves
Dave Joey Sorge Matt Loehr Jon Tsouras

Notable cast replacements

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Broadway (2021–present)

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Musical numbers

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Recordings

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Main article: MJ (album)

Recording for the original Broadway cast album took place on February 7 and 8, 2022.[15] The original Broadway cast recording was released on July 15, 2022.[16] The original cast recording was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.[17]

Development

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The musical was announced in June 2018.[18] Wheeldon spoke about the musical, stating, "The show is very much anchored in one particular moment in time. I always bring up the fabulous movie that Spielberg made about Lincoln: You take one key moment, I suppose, in the history of someone's life and then sort of use that as an anchor point for past storytelling and, perhaps, some kind of prophecy of what's to come. We'll be doing that with this story." Asked about the dance and choreography, he said he "intend[s] to put quite a lot of Michael's work in the show".[19]

Productions

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Branding on the Neil Simon Theatre, Manhattan

Broadway (2021)

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MJ was originally scheduled to premiere in Chicago in 2019, at the Nederlander Theatre.[20][21] The Michael Jackson estate canceled the Chicago tryout due to "scheduling difficulties" brought about by an Actors' Equity Association strike.[22][23]

The musical was scheduled to debut on Broadway in mid-2020 but was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The production is directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, and it features a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage.[24][25][26] Scenery for the production is designed by Derek McLane with costuming by Paul Tazewell. Natasha Katz and Peter Nigrini are collaborating on lighting and projection designs respectively. Gareth Owen designed sound production, with hair and wig design by Charles LaPointe.[27] Elijah Johnson took over as Jackson in March 2023.[13]

National Tour (2023)

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A national tour began in Chicago at the Nederlander Theatre on August 1, 2023 and is scheduled to run through August 3, 2025.[28][29] Jamaal Fields-Green took over as Jackson in July 2024.[30][31]

West End (2024)

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The musical opened in the West End at the Prince Edward Theatre, with previews beginning March 6, 2024 and an official opening night on March 27.[32] Frost reprised his role as Jackson.[33][34]

Other planned productions

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A German production is expected to play the Stage Theater an der Elbe at Hamburg. Dialogue will be in German with the musical numbers remaining in English. Performances are scheduled to begin on December 4, 2024.[35] An Australian production is scheduled to open at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in February 2025.[36]

Box office

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Ticket sales have averaged more than a million dollars per week on Broadway.[37][38][39] Following the Tony Awards, the weekly gross jumped to $1,661,000, with sold-out shows and brisk advance sales; it received the biggest box office jump that week on Broadway and recorded a new high for the show's sales.[40] By September 4, 2022, it broke the Neil Simon Theater's box office record five times with a total cumulative gross of $49.4 million.[41] As of October 2024, MJ the Musical on Broadway had grossed around $225.4 Million with a total attendance of 1,548,697 after 1,141 performances.[42]

Critical response

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MJ has overall been well-received, with some notable exceptions. Charles Isherwood of Broadway News criticized Lynn Nottage's book, in particular, writing, "where MJ loses its fleet footing is in the bland, exposition-heavy and often trite dialogue supplied by Nottage ... Clichés, preachy speeches, and baldly obvious dialogue abound."[43] Adam Feldman of Time Out wrote, "'Listen to my music,' says Michael to his interviewer. 'It answers any questions you might have.' Does it? I left the theater entertained, but not convinced I had seen the man in the smoke and mirrors."[44] Maya Phillips of The New York Times wrote, "The musical is inherently hollow; the opacity of Michael Jackson and his life of traumas and controversies make it difficult to find material compelling and cohesive enough to tell a story onstage".[45] The Deadline reporter Greg Evans said the musical was "visually and sonically ravishing",[46] while the Chicago Tribune called the show's scenery gorgeous and the show "beautiful to experience throughout, which one almost never can say about jukebox musicals".[47] Peter Marks of The Washington Post also praised the show and the cast, especially the "utterly persuasive" Frost, and called MJ "a riveting, adrenaline rush of a show".[48] Linda Armstrong of Amsterdam News called the production "spectacular", "stunning" and "off-the-charts".[49] Joe Westerfield of Newsweek said, "In many ways MJ is a living, breathing, even breathless, music video, but with that touch of inspiration, drive and art that only Michael Jackson can provide."[50]

Awards and nominations

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Original Broadway production

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Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2022 Chita Rivera Awards Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show MJ the Musical Nominated [51]
[52]
Outstanding Male Dancer in a Broadway Show Myles Frost Won
Outstanding Choreography in a Broadway Show Christopher Wheeldon Nominated
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a Musical Myles Frost Nominated [53]
[54]
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Tavon Olds-Sample Nominated
Outstanding Choreography Christopher Wheeldon, Rich and Tone Taleuega & Michael Balderrama Nominated
Outstanding Orchestrations Jason Michael Webb & David Holcenberg Won
Outstanding Lighting Design Natasha Katz Won
Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical Gareth Owen Won
Outstanding Wig and Hair Design Charles LaPointe Nominated
Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Musical MJ the Musical Nominated [55]
Distinguished Performance Myles Frost Nominated
Outstanding Direction of a Musical Christopher Wheeldon Nominated
Grammy Awards Best Musical Theater Album Myles Frost (principal vocalist), Tavon Olds-Sample (principal vocalist), David Holcenberg (producer), Derik Lee (producer), Jason Michael Webb (producer) Nominated [17]
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Broadway Musical MJ the Musical Nominated [56]
[57]
Outstanding Actor in a Musical Myles Frost Nominated
Outstanding Director of a Musical Christopher Wheeldon Nominated
Outstanding Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon & Rich + Tone Talauega Won
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Quentin Earl Darrington Nominated
Outstanding Orchestrations Jason Michael Webb & David Holcenberg Nominated
Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) Natasha Katz Nominated
Theatre World Awards Outstanding Debut Performance Myles Frost Won [58]
Tony Awards Best Musical MJ the Musical Nominated
Best Actor in a Musical Myles Frost Won
Best Direction of a Musical Christopher Wheeldon Nominated
Best Choreography Christopher Wheeldon & Rich + Tone Talauega Won
Best Book of a Musical Lynn Nottage Nominated
Best Orchestrations Jason Michael Webb & David Holcenberg Nominated
Best Scenic Design of a Musical Derek McLane & Peter Nigrini Nominated
Best Costume Design of a Musical Paul Tazewell Nominated
Best Lighting Design of a Musical Natasha Katz Won
Best Sound Design of a Musical Gareth Owen Won

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Evans, Greg (January 23, 2019). "Broadway-Bound Michael Jackson Bio-Musical Gets Title And Chicago Dates". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  2. ^ Portwood, Jerry (January 23, 2019). "Michael Jackson Musical to Premiere in Chicago". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  3. ^ McPhee, Ryan (May 13, 2020). "Michael Jackson Musical MJ Now Eyeing 2021 Broadway Bow". Playbill.
  4. ^ Murray, Cori (November 4, 2020). "Exclusive: Ephraim Sykes Speaks About Being Cast as Michael Jackson In "MJ" The Musical". Essence. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  5. ^ Lang, Brent (November 21, 2019). "Michael Jackson Musical Finds Its King of Pop". Variety. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  6. ^ Pedersen, Erik (June 29, 2021). "Broadway's 'MJ' Has A New Michael Jackson As Myles Frost Replaces Ephraim Sykes". Deadline. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  7. ^ Evans, Greg (May 11, 2021). "Michael Jackson Musical 'MJ' Hits Broadway In December; Ephraim Sykes In Title Role". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  8. ^ "MJ THE MUSICAL Broadway Grosses". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  9. ^ "MJ the Musical Broadway Original Cast". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  10. ^ "Cast & Creative". MJ the Musical. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  11. ^ "Cast & Creative". MJ the Musical. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  12. ^ Wild, Stephi. "Elijah Rhea Johnson Will Take Over the Role of Michael Jackson in MJ THE MUSICAL". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Staff, TheGrio (March 14, 2023). "Elijah Rhea Johnson to be new lead in Broadway's 'MJ The Musical,' Myles Frost to leave show". TheGrio. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  14. ^ Frederick, Brittany. "MJ: The Musical gives Chris McMiller his turn in the Broadway spotlight". TVBrittanyF.com. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  15. ^ "MJ The Musical: The Original Broadway Cast Recording". MJVibe.com. February 8, 2022.
  16. ^ Wild, Stephi (June 10, 2022). "Preorder MJ THE MUSICAL Original Cast Recording Today". Broadwayworld.
  17. ^ a b "Grammy Awards 2023: The Full List of Nominees". The New York Times. November 15, 2022.
  18. ^ Lang, Brent (June 19, 2018). "Michael Jackson Musical Coming to Broadway in 2020". Variety. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  19. ^ Fierberg, Ruthie (September 16, 2018). "What to Expect From the Broadway-Bound Michael Jackson Musical". Playbill. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  20. ^ Lefkowitz, Andy (January 23, 2019). "Michael Jackson Musical Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough Announces Pre-Broadway Run". Broadway.com. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  21. ^ Bowling, Suzanna (January 24, 2019). "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough Brings Michael Jackson to Broadway". Times Square Chronicles. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  22. ^ Lefkowitz, Andy (February 14, 2019). "Michael Jackson Musical Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough Will Move Straight to Broadway; Out-of-Town Run Canceled". Broadway.com. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  23. ^ Paulson, Michael (February 14, 2019). "Michael Jackson Estate Cancels Chicago Musical Run". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  24. ^ Jevens, Darel (January 23, 2019). "Michael Jackson musical to premiere in Chicago before Broadway". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  25. ^ "A stage musical inspired by Michael Jackson's life and music is heading for Broadway". USA Today. Associated Press. January 23, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  26. ^ Reitman, Shelby (January 23, 2019). "Michael Jackson Musical Set for Broadway in 2020". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  27. ^ Huston, Caitlin (March 2, 2020). "'MJ' announces creative team for Broadway run". Broadway News. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  28. ^ "Michael Jackson Broadway Musical to Launch 2023 National Tour". Billboard. March 22, 2022.
  29. ^ "MJ the Musical – Turnin' it up on Broadway!". Tour.mjthemusical.com.
  30. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe (July 16, 2024). "Jamaal Fields-Green to Take Over Title Role in National Tour of MJ". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  31. ^ Gans, Andrew (July 16, 2024). "MJ National Tour Will Feature New King of Pop". Playbill. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  32. ^ Gans, Andrew (March 29, 2024). "Photos: Go Inside the London Premiere of MJ the Musical, Starring Tony Winner Myles Frost". playbill.com. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  33. ^ Wild, Stephi (May 22, 2023). "Myles Frost Will Reprise His Role in MJ in London". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  34. ^ Ouro-Gnao, Isaac (June 4, 2024). "Myles Frost on bringing 'MJ the Musical' to the West End". London Theatre. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  35. ^ Wild, Stephi. "MJ THE MUSICAL Will Open in Germany Next Year". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  36. ^ "Four-Time Tony Award-Winning Blockbuster MJ THE MUSICAL to Premiere in Sydney in 2025". December 6, 2023.
  37. ^ Evans, Greg (March 22, 2022). "Broadway Box Office Climbs 19% To $26.6M; 'The Music Man' Takes $3.4M As Industry Resumes Detailed Weekly Reports". Deadline.
  38. ^ "Grosses – MJ THE MUSICAL, Week Ending 3/20/2022". The Broadway League.
  39. ^ "MJ THE MUSICAL Broadway Grosses". BroadwayWorld.
  40. ^ "Broadway's 'MJ' gets a box office bump after the Tony Awards". Associated Press. June 22, 2022.
  41. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe (September 6, 2022). "MJ Breaks Neil Simon Theatre Box Office Record for the 5th Time". Broadway World. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  42. ^ "MJ the Musical". Broadway World. November 7, 2023.
  43. ^ Isherwood, Charles (February 2, 2022). "Review: A flashy 'MJ' dazzles and distracts with dance". Broadway News. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  44. ^ Feldman, Adam (February 2022). "The Michael Jackson musical dances around the big question". Time Out New York. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  45. ^ Green; Phillips, Maya; Soloski, Alexis; Collins-Hughes, Laura; Vincentelli, Elisabeth; Testa, Jessica (June 13, 2022). "Worst Attempt at Nostalgia: Not So 'Smooth Criminal'". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  46. ^ Evans, Greg (February 1, 2022). "'MJ' Review: Michael Jackson Lives Again In Lynn Nottage's Thriller Of A Broadway Musical". Deadline.
  47. ^ Jones, Chris (February 1, 2022). "Review: 'MJ' on Broadway elevates the art of Michael Jackson as it dances away from controversy". Chicago Tribune.
  48. ^ Marks, Peter (February 1, 2022). "I wasn't looking forward to sitting through the new Michael Jackson musical. Then I saw it". The Washington Post.
  49. ^ Armstrong, Linda (February 25, 2022). "'MJ' reveals The Man In The Mirror with great grace". Amsterdam News.
  50. ^ Westerfield, Joe (February 1, 2022). "'MJ,' the Michael Jackson Musical, Is a Thriller on Broadway". Newsweek.
  51. ^ "2022 Chita Rivera Award Nominations". Newyorktheater. May 17, 2022.
  52. ^ Cristi, A.A. (June 21, 2022). "MJ, PARADISE SQUARE, TICK, TICK...BOOM! and More Win 2022 Chita Rivera Awards". Broadwayworld.
  53. ^ Stewart, Zachary (May 16, 2022). "Six and Kimberly Akimbo Lead the 2022 Drama Desk Nominations". Theatermania. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  54. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (June 8, 2022). "Clyde's, Company, SIX: The Musical Lead 2022 Drama Desk Awards; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  55. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 15, 2022). "Kenita R. Miller, Bonnie Milligan, Jaquel Spivey Among 2022 Drama League Award Nominees; See the Full List". Playbill.
  56. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 26, 2022). "Nominees for 71st Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards Announced". Playbill. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  57. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 17, 2022). "The Lehman Trilogy Leads 2022 Outer Critics Circle Awards, Six Wins Best Musical; See the Complete List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  58. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 6, 2022). "Sharon D Clarke, Patrick J. Adams, Jaquel Spivey, More Are 2022 Theatre World Award Winners". Playbill. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
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