MJ is a jukebox musical (a majority of the music is already well-known songs rather than composed specifically for the theatre work) based on the life of American pop icon Michael Jackson, primarily focusing on the period right before his 1992 Dangerous World Tour.
As Michael and his creative team prepare for the first show in Munich, Germany, there flashbacks to his childhood, especially with his siblings in the musical group The Jackson 5, as well as his relationship with producer Quincy Jones.
The emotional arc carries through other key moments of Michael’s career as he manages the emotional ups and downs of fame, fandom, and the paparazzi, all told through the artist’s own songs.
Michael Jackson: pop singer and performer
Jackie Jackson: Michael’s other brother, original member of The Jackson 5
Tito Jackson: Michael’s other brother, original member of The Jackson 5
Jermaine Jackson: Michael’s other brother, original member of The Jackson 5
Marlon Jackson: Michael’s other brother, member of The Jackson 5
Randy Jackson: Michael’s younger brother, later member of The Jacksons
Joe Jackson / Rob: father of the Jackson children, talent manager
Katherine Jackson: mother of the Jackson children
Quincy Jones: record producer and composer
Berry Gordy / Nick: founder of Motown Records who developed The Jackson 5 / young entrepreneur
Rachel: MTV reporter documenting Michael Jackson and the Dangerous World Tour
Alejandro: cameraman for Rachel’s documentary, fan of Michael
Dave: Michael’s business manager
(from MJ the Musical Official Site)
MICHAEL JACKSON
Book: LYNN NOTTAGE
Director & Choreographer: CHRISTOPHER WHEELDON
Musical Supervision, Orchestrations & Arrangements: DAVID HOLCENBERG
Musical Direction, Orchestrations & Arrangements: JASON MICHAEL WEBB
Scenic Design: DEREK MCLANE
Lighting Design: NATASHA KATZ
Costume Design: PAUL TAZEWELL
Sound Design: GARETH OWEN
Projection Design: PETER NIGRINI
Hair & Wig Design: CHARLES LAPOINTE
Makeup Design: JOE DULUDE II
Global Associate Director: DONTEE KIEHN
Global Associate Choreographer: MICHAEL BALDERRAMA
Resident Director: VICTORIA DAVIDJOHN
Production Supervisor: GREGORY T. LIVOTI
Michael Jackson Movement: RICH & TONE TALAUEGA
Electronic Music Design: STRAGEN CRANIUM, BILLY JAY STEIN, HITO IIDA
Music Coordinator: JOHN MILLER
Broadway Preview: December 6, 2021 at the Neil Simon Theatre (New York City)
Broadway Opening: February 1, 2022 at the Neil Simon Theatre (New York City)
West End Opening: March 27, 2024 at Prince Edward Theatre (London)
Michael Jackson: Myles Frost
Teenage Michael / Young Adult Michael: Tavon Olds-Sample
Little Michael: Christian Wilson / Walter Russell III
Jackie Jackson: John Edwards
Tito Jackson / Quincy Jones: Apollo Levine
Jermaine Jackson: Lamont Walker II
Little Marlon: Devin Trey Campbell
Marlon Jackson: Zelig Williams
Randy Jackson: Raymond Baynard
Joe Jackson / Rob: Quentin Earl Darrington
Katherine Jackson: Ayana George
Berry Gordy / Nick: Antoine L. Smith
Rachel: Whitney Bashor
Alejandro: Gabriel Ruíz
Dave: Joey Sorge
Michael Jackson: Myles Frost
Teenage Michael / Young Adult Michael: Mitchell Zhangazha
Little Michael: Jaydon Eastman / Elliot Mugume / Ethan Sokontwe / Dylan Trigger
Jackie Jackson: Tavio Wright
Tito Jackson / Quincy Jones: Rohan Pinnock-Hamilton
Jermaine Jackson: Simeon Montague
Little Marlon: Cristiano Cuino / Sekhani Dumezweni / Khanya Madaka / Aidan Oti
Marlon Jackson: Toyan Thomas-Browne
Randy Jackson: Aden Dzuda
Joe Jackson / Rob: Ashley Zhangazha
Katherine Jackson: Phebe Edwards
Berry Gordy / Nick: Matt Mills
Rachel: Philippa Stefani
Alejandro: Matt Gonsalves
Dave: Jon Tsouras
Best Actor in a Musical: Myles Frost
Best Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon & Rich + Tone Talauega
Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Natasha Katz
Best Sound Design of a Musical: Gareth Owen
Outstanding Male Dancer in a Broadway Show: Myles Frost
Outstanding Orchestrations: Jason Michael Webb & David Holcenberg
Outstanding Lighting Design: Natasha Katz
Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical: Gareth Owen
Outstanding Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon & Rich + Tone Talauega
Outstanding Debut Performance: Myles Frost
Best Musical: MJ the Musical
Best Musical Director: Sean Green
Best Graduate: Kwamé Kandekore
Best Theatre Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon
You can find the next few performances of MJ the Musical below or check out the FULL MUSICAL THEATRE SHOW CALENDAR where you can filter results by country, city, and date.
ACT ONE
Beat It
Jackson 5 Medley: The Love You Save / I Want You Back / ABC
I’ll Be There
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough / Blame It on the Boogi / Dancing Machine
Stranger in Moscow
You Can’t Win
I Can’t Help It
Keep the Faith
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
Earth Song / They Don’t Care About Us
ACT TWO
Billie Jean
Smooth Criminal
Victory Tour: For the Love of Money / Can You Feel It
Keep the Faith (Reprise)
She’s Out of My Life
Human Nature
Bad / 2 Bad
Thriller
Man in the Mirror
Finale: Jam / Black or White / Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
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