MJ the Musical
MJ the Musical, also referred to as simply MJ, is a jukebox musical featuring the music of Michael Jackson with a book by Lynn Nottage. It tells the story of American singer, songwriter, and dancer Michael Jackson. "MJ" was originally scheduled to premiere on Broadway in mid-2020, with direction and choreography by Christopher Wheeldon. Initial plans to open were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 21, 2019, Ephraim Sykes was cast as Michael Jackson, but in June 2021 it was announced that the role would be played by Myles Frost. The production opened at the  Neil Simon Theatre on February 1, 2022, with previews beginning December 6, 2021. From its opening, "MJ" received mixed reviews but has been a success in the box office. The audience reception to the musical has been highly positive. "MJ" has also been nominated for numerous awards mainly for Myles Frost in the title role. Synopsis. Telling the story of Michael Jackson's life, "MJ" features over 25 of Michael Jackson's biggest hits. "The show takes audiences behind the scenes as Michael prepares for the 1992 Dangerous World 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." Act I. Act I covers the early years of Michael Jacksons life with The Jackson 5. Act II. Act II covers everything leading up to the Dangerous tour in 1992. Musical numbers. Recordings. Recording for the original Broadway cast album took place on February 7 and 8, 2022. Productions. Broadway (2021–present). "MJ" was set to premiere its pre-Broadway run in Chicago, US on October 29, 2019, at the Nederlander Theatre. The run would continue through December 1. The Michael Jackson estate  decided to cancel the planned Chicago tryout, ostensibly due to "scheduling difficulties" brought about by an Actors' Equity Association strike. Actors Equity wasn't shouldering the blame for the cancellation, stating "It is difficult to understand how a modest delay in February would impact a run that was scheduled for late October." The musical was expected to debut on Broadway in the summer of 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the production was postponed to 2021. The production is directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, and it features a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage. 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. The musical was first announced in June 2018. 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". The musical is a collaboration between The Michael Jackson Estate and Columbia Live Stage. North American touring productions (2023). It was announced on March 21, 2022, that the show will kick off its national tour at the Nederlander Theatre, running from July 15 through September 10, 2023, with additional tour dates and casting for the  tour to be announced at a later date. Box office and business. "MJ" has been very successful at the box office, averaging over a million dollars each week in Broadway. Critical response. "MJ" has received high praise from the general public and mixed reviews from critics. The production, music, choreography and the cast have all been praised. Ayanna Prescod of the "New York Theatre Guide" gave it a perfect score and called it "a flawless production". "Deadline" reporter Greg Evans said it was "visually & sonically ravishing!" "Chicago Tribune" called the show's scenery gorgeous and the show "beautiful to experience  throughout, which one almost never can say about jukebox musicals". Peter Marks of "The Washington Post" also praised the show and the cast, especially the "utterly persuasive" Myles Frost, and called "MJ" "a riveting, adrenaline rush of a show". Linda Armstrong of "Amsterdam News" called the production "spectacular", "stunning" and "off-the-charts". Joe Westerfield of "Newsweek" said, "In many way "MJ" is a living, breathing, even breathless, music video, but with that touch of inspiration, drive and art that only Michael Jackson can provide." Patrick Christiano of Theater Life called it a "thrilling tribute of - the greatest entertainer of  all time" and said "If audience reaction is any indication "MJ" is a hit worthy of The King of Pop’s impeccable standards". Brittany Crowell of The Front Row Center also almost gave it a near perfect score, stating that the show is "full of skill, craft and true entertainment". Johnny Oleksinski of the "New York Post" wrote that the musical's cast was "hobbled by an indecisive script — the documentary plot and backstory are clumsily combined, and the cartoonish characters are straight outta "Scooby-Doo" — and low-energy, unattractive staging." Helen Shaw of "Vulture" criticized Lynn Nottage's book , writing "Nottage is having a huge season. A Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright, she just closed "Clyde’s" on Broadway and just opened an opera version of her exquisite 2003 play "Intimate Apparel", but here she writes … dreck. If there is a scientific experiment to discover whether or not a jukebox musical ruins even our greatest playwrights, this is it." The consumer reviews of "MJ" have been highly positive, getting mostly rave reviews. Awards and nominations. Original Broadway productions. The musical and the cast is eligible for nomination at the 75th Tony Awards.