As she played the video her husband looked up and asked, “Is that Michael Jackson?” A smitten Vollack replied, “Yes, I think it is.” The triple threat, with an astonishing gift for dancing, acting, singing and doing a killer moon dance, was Myles Frost. Vollack had found her Michael Jackson. In MJ, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, Lynn Nottage, a master storyteller, focuses on one moment in time to anchor the show. The musical begins in 1992 during the last days of rehearsal for Jackson’s Dangerous Tour. And through that lens we see Jackson during key moments and memories that shaped him from his childhood to “Thriller” to his influences and beyond. Directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, MJ is a rich mosaic of his life, an adventure with jaw dropping dancing and 28 of his show-stopping songs (including “The Love You Save,” “Beat It,” “Smooth Criminal” and “I’ll Be There.” It’s also a visual feast with scenic design by Derek McLane.
Has MJ, the Musical won any awards?
Not yet, but MJ received a total of 10 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Choreography for Christopher Wheeldon, Best Book of a Musical by Lynn Nottage and Best Performance by an actor in a leading role for Myles Frost.
When are the 2022 Tony Awards?
Hosted by Ariana DeBose, the Tony Awards will broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, June 12 from 8-11 p.m ET on CBS, and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+. The only other show to have more nominations was A Strange Loop which was nominated for 11 Tonys. Nominations were announced May 9. This past Feb. 1, MJ opened on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre in New York City. Myles Frost, a native of Washington, D.C. made his Broadway debut before a crowd that included Michael Jackson’s children Paris, Prince and Bigi Jackson, Spike Lee, Joel Grey, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Kenny Ortega, Tamron Hall, The van Peebles family and more. Frost and the cast, which includes 12 performers making their Broadway debuts, earned multiple standing ovations. “This will be a great night in the history of Broadway tonight,” said Spike Lee on the red carpet. “I saw early workshops of the show and knew right then. Lee added that MJ’s book writer, Lynn Nottage, also happened to be his mother’s student. “My mother taught Lynn at Saint Ann’s in Brooklyn. Also, Lynn was a writer on my Netflix show She’s Gotta Have It,” he added. “So, Lynn’s killing it!” Read on for more about the spectacular new Broadway musical, MJ.
What is MJ About?
MJ presents a unique look at Michael Jackson’s creative mind and how he collaborated. To help tell the story of Jackson’s life and artistry, the musical revolves around Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour. “It’s not necessarily a cradle-to-grave jukebox musical,” shares the show’s director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. “It has biographical elements but it’s more about Michael as an artist, his creative process—how he built a song and a dance.” Whitney Bashor, who plays an MTV reporter in MJ adds, “The show allows you to see a complex, troubled human being who is talented beyond measure at a level of stardom that none of us will be able to comprehend.”
Who is in the cast of MJ?
The cast of MJ features Myles Frost as Michael Jackson. A Washington, D.C. native, Frost appeared in the TV show Family Reunion and the film All In. He will also play Clarence on the Big 50, The DelRhonda Hood Story on BET Plus. Frost was also a contestant on season 13 of The Voice. MJ also stars Quentin Earl Darrington as Joseph Jackson/Rob, Whitney Bashor as Rachel, Gabriel Ruiz as Alejandro, Antoine L. Smith as Berry Gordy/Nick, Joey Sorge as Dave, John Edwards as Jackie Jackson/Ensemble, Ayana George as Katherine Jackson, Apollo Levine as Quincy Jones/Tito Jackson, Tavon Olds-Sample as Michael, Lamont Walker II as Jermaine Jackson/Ensemble, Zelig Williams as Marlon Jackson/Ensemble, Walter Russell III and Christian Wilson as Little Michael, Devin Trey Campbell as Little Marlon, with Raymond Baynard, Kali May Grinder, Oyoyo Joi, Carina-Kay Louchiey, Renni Anthony Magee, Aaron James McKenzie, Aramie Payton, Kamille Upshaw, Ryan VanDenBoom, Michelle Mercedes, Ramone Nelson, Kyle R. Robinson, Wonza Johnson and Darius Wright rounding out the ensemble. MJ features a book by Lynn Nottage, Christopher Wheeldon directs and choreographs. Scenic design is by Derek McLane, lighting design by Natasha Katz, costume design by Paul Tazewell, sound design by Gareth Owen, projection design by Peter Nigrini, hair and wig design by Charles Lapointe, musical supervision/orchestration/arrangements are by David Holcenberg and musical direction/orchestrations/arrangements are by Jason Michael Webb. Rich and Tone Talauega who worked with Jackson, were consultants on the dancing to create Michael Jackson’s movement language. MJ is produced by Lia Vollack Productions by special arrangement with The Estate of Michael Jackson.
Where I can see MJ, the Michael Jackson musical?
MJ is playing on Broadway in the Neil Simon Theatre, 250 W. 52nd St., New York, NY.
How many Michael Jackson songs are in MJ?
The musical is chock full of the King of Pop’s music! The show has 28 of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits.
How much do MJ tickets cost?
Tickets range from $59 – $159. Visit, mjthemusical.com for more information.
What is the running time of MJ?
MJ’s running time is two hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.
How long will MJ run?
MJ has an open-ended run. Tickets are currently available through September 2022.
What days does MJ have performances?
MJ has performances on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Dark on Mondays. The full performance schedule can be viewed here, mjthemusical.com/tickets/ Next, See Inside Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch
