MJ the Musical is a jukebox musical based on the life of American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson. It premiered at the Neil Simon Theatre, New York City on December 6, 2021 and opened on February 1, 2022. The show is a collaboration between the Michael Jackson Estate and Columbia Live Stage.
Background[]
The musical was first announced in June 2018 with the pre-Broadway premiere initially planned for the Nederlander Theatre, Chicago on October 29, 2019.[1] However, the release had to be canceled due to the Actors' Equity Association strike taking place at the time. It was re-scheduled to Summer 2020. Unfortunately, it had to be postponed once again to a year later, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]
Premise[]
| “ | The show takes audiences behind the scenes as Michael prepares for the 1992 Dangerous Tour, providing an in-depth look at his process. As Michael and his collaborators rehearse their epic setlist, we are transported to pivotal creative moments from his career. | ” |
–broadwayworld.com, December 28, 2019[3] | ||
Cast[]
| Character | Broadway | US National Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Jackson | Myles Frost | Roman Banks |
| Young Adult Michael | Tavon Olds-Sample | Brandon Lee Harris |
| Teenage Michael | Tavon Olds-Sample | Brandon Lee Harris |
| Little Michael | Christian Wilson / Walter Russell III | Josiah Benson / Ethan Joseph |
| Jackie Jackson | John Edwards | Jay McKenzie |
| Tito Jackson | Apollo Levine | Josh A. Dawson |
| Quincy Jones | Apollo Levine | Josh A. Dawson |
| Jermaine Jackson | Lamont Walker II | Bryson Jacobi Jackson |
| Marlon Jackson | Zelig Williams | Brion Marquis Watson |
| Randy Jackson | Raymond Barnard | Malcolm Miles Young |
| Joe Jackson | Quentin Earl Darrington | Devin Bowles |
| Rob | Quentin Earl Darrington | Devin Bowles |
| Katherine Jackson | Ayana George | Anastasia Talley |
| Berry Gordy | Antoine L. Smith | J. Daughtry |
| Nick | Antoine L. Smith | J. Daughtry |
| Suzanne de Passe | Carina-Kay Louchiey | Janayé McAlpine |
| Rachel | Whitney Bashor | Mary Kate Moore |
| Alejandro | Gabriel Ruíz | Da'von Moody |
| Dave | Joey Sorge | Matt Loehr |
Notes[]
- On April 4, 2023, Myles Frost was replaced by Elijah Johnson.
More casting information: MJ Cast Lists
Musical numbers[]
| Title | Performer(s) |
|---|---|
| "Beat It" | MJ / Company / Orchestra |
| "Tabloid Junkie" / "Price of Fame" | MJ / Rachel |
| "Shout" / "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" / "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher | Ensemble |
| "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" | Little Michael |
| "The Love You Save" / "I Want You Back" / "ABC" | Little Michael / Little Marlon / Jermaine / Tito / Jackie |
| "I'll Be There" | Katherine / Little Michael / MJ |
| "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" / Blame It on the Boogie" / "Dancing Machine" | MJ / Teenage Michael / Marlon / Jermaine / Tito / Jackie / Company |
| "Stranger in Moscow" | MJ |
| "You Can't Win" | Berry Gordy / Teenage Michael |
| "I Can't Help It" | Quincy Jones / Young Adult Michael |
| "Keep the Faith" | Quincy Jones / Young Adult Michael |
| "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" | Young Adult Michael / Ensemble |
| "Earth Song" / "They Don't Care About Us" | MJ / Ensemble |
| TItle | Performer(s) |
|---|---|
| "Billie Jean" | MJ |
| "Smooth Criminal" | MJ / Ensemble |
| "For the Love of Money" / "Can You Feel It" | Joe Jackson / Young Adult Michael / Marlon / Jermaine / Tito / Jackie / Orchestra |
| "Money" | Joe Jackson |
| "Keep the Faith" (Reprise) | Rob / MJ / Ensemble |
| "She's Out of My Life" | MJ / Young Adult Michael |
| "Jam" | MJ / Ensemble / Orchestra |
| "Human Nature" | MJ / Rachel |
| "Bad" / "2 Bad" | MJ / Company / Orchestra |
| "Price of Fame" (Reprise) | MJ |
| "Thriller" | Little Michael / MJ / Joe Jackson / Ensemble |
| "Man in the Mirror" | Company |
| "Jam" (Reprise) / "Black or White" / "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Reprise) | Company |
| "Workin' Day and Night" | Orchestra |
Album release[]
On June 10, 2022 Sony Music had announced, that an official MJ the Musical album will get released a month later, July 15. The album is missing multiple parts of the original set list. The release gained a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album.[4]
Gallery[]
.png "MJ Musical BWay (1).png (1.41 MB)")
.png "MJ Musical BWay (2).png (1.45 MB)")
.png "MJ Musical BWay (3).png (1.49 MB)")
.png "MJ Musical BWay (4).png (1.26 MB)")
External links[]
|
|
References[]
- ↑ https://www.broadway.com/buzz/194662/michael-jackson-musical-dont-stop-til-you-get-enough-announces-pre-broadway-run/
- ↑ https://www.billboard.com/pro/michael-jackson-broadway-musical-mj-delayed-covid-19/
- ↑ https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Somethings-Coming-What-Does-2020-Have-in-Store-For-Broadway-20191228
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/15/arts/music/grammys-nominee-list-2023.html