I’m not proud to say it, but my knowledge about Michael Jackson and his impact on the music world was severely lacking. Being in my early 30s, I grew up when the King of Pop was a meme in every sense of the word. He was the butt of every joke; films made gags about him. Michael Jackson was known more for the news stories about him than for his music or his attempt to change the world with his charities. But there was a time before the ridicule MJ suffered at the hands of the public, back when he was a star on the brink of his most extensive tour ever. It’s that period that MJ The Musical uses as a jumping-off point to explore the early life of The King of Pop, and how he rose to the top of the musical food chain through mere determination and drive.
This jukebox musical featuring some of the most famous works of Michael Jackson was originally supposed to premiere on Broadway in 2020 but was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With a book from Lynn Nottage (Ruined, Sweat, The Secret Life of Bees) and direction and choreography by Christopher Wheeldon, MJ The Musical takes an intimate look at the Jackson family as Michael is rehearsing for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour and reflecting on his journey to this exact moment. Providing a raw and honest look at a larger-than-life figure, MJ The Musical looks to humanize someone who the world never understood by showing how, at his core, Michael Jackson wasn’t so different from many of us.
Having been nominated for 10 Tony Awards and winning four, such as Best Actor in a Musical and Best Choreography, MJ The Musical has attracted large crowds to show up in droves, proving the star power that he still has. Becoming one of the highest-grossing musical theater productions of all time, it makes perfect sense that MJ The Musical would take it show to the road, sharing the icon’s story with as many people as possible.
[Warning: Spoilers from MJ The Musical are below!]
Michael Jackson’s rise to fame in MJ The Musical
As stated above, when MJ The Musical opens, Michael Jackson (Jamaal Fields-Green) is in the final days of rehearsal for his Dangerous World Tour. Time is ticking away for the performer and those joining him on the tour, but still, Michael can’t stop making changes to the show. There’s so much pressure to get this right, as MJ plans to use the tour to fund his charities, which he wants to use to change the world.
But voices from his past echo through his head, reminding him that there’s always room for improvement on the road to perfection. From his brothers, who remind him of his place in the family, to his mother (Anatasia Talley), who provides him with unwavering love and support from decades in the past. However, no voice is stronger than his father, Joe Jackson (Devin Bowles), pulling him back to his humble beginnings as Michael Jackson reflects on how life brought him to this moment.
Told through flashbacks and quick transitions, the story of Michael Jackson unfolds. From his younger years in the Jackson 5 (a role shared by Josiah Benson and Bane Griffith) to his solo journey as he broke away from his family’s shadow and charted a course for himself (played by Erik Hamilton). MJ the Musical doesn’t shy away from the difficult moments of The King of Pop’s life, but instead embraces them. There isn’t an erasure of the abuse that MJ experienced at the hands of his father or the scandal that overshadowed him right around the time of his Dangerous Tour. Showcasing the bad along with the good allows for a richer and rawer telling of Michael Jackson’s life, which is rare in the landscape of jukebox musicals about people’s lives.
Can Michael Jackson break away from his past? Or will his Dangerous Tour be plagued by the need to be perfect in an imperfect world? While this story has already played out in history, MJ the Musical brings a unique perspective to Jackson’s life, enriching a story that is already so full of treasure.
Music you know and impressive dance moves come to life on stage
One of the reasons I love jukebox musicals is that, for most people, it’s music they already recognize. At this point in our journey with Broadway in Detroit, we have seen so many jukebox musicals, all of which approach it differently. For a show like Mamma Mia!, the featured music is from a single artist, which is incorporated into an original story. However, shows like The Cher Show and MJ the Musical focus on the life of the person whose music the show centers on; regardless of which type of story, audiences can engage with the show differently, as there is a level of comfort built into the show when they know the songs and their meanings.
It makes the musical more approachable to various audiences, and of the jukebox musicals we’ve seen, MJ The Musical is one of the best. What was interesting about this show’s approach to the jukebox musical genre is that it didn’t always attempt to fit the song into the story, which can sometimes make it feel strained. In instances such as that, it feels the story is forced to go a certain way to shoehorn a particular song by the artist into the show, which doesn’t always allow for unbridled flow. However, MJ the Musical partially embraces a concert-like feel with some of the songs as Michael Jackson rehearses for his tour.
Doing this allows for any of his hits that don’t fit into the narrative to exist, which is an ingenious way to incorporate the music. Not a logical reason for the main character to speak to a Billie Jean? Great, let’s have MJ practice that song with some backup dancers and heavy choreography. This felt like a more authentic experience, as MJ is known for his performative nature and out-of-this-world concerts. His dancing is as iconic as his music, so allowing that to speak for itself instead of creating a narrative to fit the songs into the story or vice versa felt more genuine to The King of Pop’s legacy.
For this, alone, MJ The Musical is a showstopper. Each song is filled to the brim with impressive dancing and vocals that transport audiences to a different time. There’s something there for everyone to enjoy, from Jackson’s ballads to his bops. From those who are experts in all things MJ to novices like myself, most of the songs are popular, meaning that they are easily identifiable and enhance your viewing experience.
Talented actors utilize a unique narrative technique in MJ The Musical
There’s no denying the talent in MJ The Musical, as so many incredible actors bring the story to life on stage. Everyone in the production is pouring their heart and soul into these characters and this story, with unbelievable pressure to get it right. These are real people, some still alive, and might see this show. That weight is heavy, noticeable in the energy radiating off every actor who comes and goes. However, some stood out among the stars of MJ The Musical, beginning with The King of Pop himself.
Jamaal Fields-Green captures Michael Jackson perfectly; from stature to voice, he is MJ through and through. From the way that the audience gasped when he came on stage to the roaring cheers for every falsetto he hit or dance move he performed, you could tell that everyone else in the room felt the same way. If you had told me that Michael Jackson had returned to life to be on that stage, I would believe it, as Fields-Green was the perfect and only choice for this role.
What made some of the other cast members so incredible in MJ The Musical was the dual roles that they had to play. The majority of the cast had to switch between someone in the present storyline and someone from MJ’s past, such as Devin Bowles, who played both Rob (Jackson’s tour manager) and Joe Jackson. While there are some definitive flashback scenes with set pieces and costume changes, there are also times when the actors switch in moments with nothing more than a change in body language and voice.
There’s one scene in particular that it was like witnessing magic from Bowles, who changes from Rob to Joe with a quick spin, making a full circle and being a different man. It spoke to the talent of Bowles and everyone else who had to switch mindsets at the drop of a hat, adding an element that set MJ The Musical apart from anything else on the scene.
Check out MJ The Musical when it arrives in a city near you!
I began this review with a moment of honesty; it feels appropriate to end it with some sincerity as well. I didn’t have high expectations when I came to MJ The Musical; I didn’t grow up with his solo music, although I was familiar with his work in the Jackson 5. That being said, this is one of the best jukebox musicals I’ve seen to date. It’s an incredibly raw and real look at someone who is larger-than-life, showcasing some intimate moments from MJ’s life. Almost every song I recognized, dancing along with other audience members, creating a moment for all of us there.
MJ The Musical isn’t just a show; it’s a whole experience. It’s a musical that has to be seen to be believed, and even then, it feels impossible to describe and encapsulate everything excellent about it. If you’re a fan of Michael Jackson, then this is absolutely the show for you. However, even if MJ isn’t the pull for you, there is so much in this show to appreciate that it should be an absolute musical to see.
MJ The Musicalis currently touring North America! Be sure to get your tickets for Broadway in Detroit’s next show, Mean Girls, and any other exciting shows coming in their 2024-2025 season. Have you seen MJ The Musical? What did you think? Let us know on social media @mycosmiccircus or @boxseatbabes!
MJ The Musical Discussion | The Cosmic Curtain Podcast
Exclusive Interview: Devin Bowles of MJ The Musical
