MJ The Musical - New York

Michael Joseph Jackson, considered the King of Pop, was one of the most significant cultural figures worldwide. Jackson, who was also one of the best-selling music artists of all time, created songs that transformed the industry and changed the racial barriers of MTV against playing videos from black artists. His contributions included intricate dance moves such as the moonwalk, magically inspiring people and artists, many of whose careers began after listening to his music. Although he received the most individual music awards in history (Now it's Taylor Swift), Michael's personal life wasn't as magical.   

As a member of the Jackson 5, who made their professional debut in 1964 with his elder brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon, they were an instant hit. Michael was the youngest, but his soulful voice, which sounded like a man who had experienced life for many years, led the group. As a child in 1969, I remember being with my sister going to a friend's apartment, excited to see The Jackson 5 performing on The Ed Sullivan Show. 

We were thrilled to see a black group performing on television, a rarity in the 60s. Of course, we all wanted to be like the Jackson family, but that old saying of the grass being greener was the unmagical part of being a Jackson, we would later learn.  

Part two of Brenda and my journey to New York to see plays ended with us going to the Neil Simon Theatre. Under the direction of James L. Nederlander, the same as Broadway of Chicago, the new naming of the Oriental theater to The Nederlander Theatre to see MJ, the musical.   

As the audience comes in, takes pictures, and finds their seats, the show begins about ten minutes ahead of its 8 pm start time, as we see dancers coming on stage practicing in a rehearsal room. Then as the lights dim, Jackson appears on stage with his backup singers and band as they prepare for his 1992 Dangerous tour. The play gives the audience a picturesque view of Michael Jackson at work, perfecting his craft of being one of the hottest acts in show business. 

Next, MJ tells the joys and pains of Michael's story from childhood to adulthood. After Berry Gordy hears the young Michael sing, I Want You Back, he is amazed at his command of the song, saying, "You sang that song like you've been living with heartbreak all of your life," and signs the Jackson 5 to a contract. Finally, we witness a reality-show version of his life as a child who burst into the scene as a child artist and how life under his father had an everlasting effect, primarily negative, in steering his career.   

Jackson's story is told from the perspective of interviews (Whitney Bashor) as you walk down memory lane. Her interviews with central Michael Jackson (Myles Frost) featured three younger actors who play Michael at different ages. Bashor's performance as the interviewer was praiseworthy, and she has a lovely voice, but I was confused with her singing in some scenes. 

The storyline from the book by Lynn Nottage (with special arrangement with the Michael Jackson estate) does talk about some of Michael's personal experiences. The hyperbaric chamber, which Michael admits he made up for fun, his issues with vitiligo (his fading skin color), and some odd characteristics. However, it didn't dig into any of the scandals or the accusations of pedophilia, focusing more on his career and personal life traumas. I, for one, am happy Nottage focused more on the man and his music and not the man in the mirror; some wanted to crucify. 

MJ features 40 songs titles, which is exhilarating to Jackson 5 and Michael fans as they listen to epic songs like Bad, Beat It, Billie Jean, Dancing Machine, and Thriller. But don't get too excited. You will only get a few choruses of most of the songs as there is no way to get 40 songs into 2 hours and 30 minutes of production.  

One scene will bring out the tissues as we witness the pressures of being a Jackson when their father (Quentin Earl Darrington) demands they rehearse into the night after feeling their dance movements weren't perfect. When Michael protests, he gets slapped so hard he falls to the floor. Then as only a mother can do, she (Ayana George) consoles him by singing "I'll Be There" as he goes to bed.

Myles Frost's performance of Michael Jackson will thrill your soul. Frost has the looks, voice, and mannerisms of Michael to where if you blinked your eyes, you would swear it was Michael Jackson on stage. Designer Paul Tazewell should win an award as he had Frost dress to perfection as Michael. From head to toe, featuring the famous tilted fedora, black jacket, gold brocade, white socks, and the glove, Tazewell nailed it! But it's Myles Frost's all-around performance that makes MJ The Musical one of New York's hottest plays, and it's worth every penny. 

Frost is indeed great, but there are many great performances in this play. Walter Russell III played the young Michael this night. Walter Russell III, a Harlem native who recently debuted in Fire Shut Up In My Bones, the first black opera at The Met, and the Young Simba in the national tour of Disney's The Lion King, brilliantly played the young Michael Jackson. Tavon Olds-Sample making his Broadway debut in MJ was equally impressive as the teenage to young adult Michael. And Quentin Earl Darrington was magnificent in his multiple roles as Joe Jackson, Rob, and the monster of unimaginable horror that appears in the thriller scene.  

Also making her debut was Ayana George. George was excellent as Katherine Jackson, Michael's mother, and she has a voice that will blow you away. She has performed with John Legend, Jazmine Sullivan, Chaka Khan, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Rowland, Kirk Franklin, and CeCe Winans, so hearing her sing in this play is a musical treat. Then there are outstanding performers from Apollo Levine, Antonie L. Smith, New York natives Joey Sorge and John Edwards, and our Chicago connection, Gabriel Ruiz, who played Alejandro the cameraman. I ask for forgiveness now for not mentioning all of the names, for the talent in this play is deep.  

The staging of MJ which started with nothing much to write about rehearsal room, quickly shows its New York style with incredible lighting, stimulating scenery, costumes, and movable props. The audience Don't Stop Til You Get Enough night of pure joy had that "Can You Feel It vibe. In addition, MJ scores high praise for its amazing dramatization during the performance of They Don't Care About Us, Beat It, and Thriller. And the audience loved hearing old songs, and some many had forgotten like She's Out of My Life, Stranger in Moscow, The Love You Save, and The Price of Fame, the infamous Pepsi commercial song where during rehearsal, Michael's hair caught on fire. 

Directed and Choreographed by Tony award-winner Christopher Wheeldon from the Pulitzer Prize book winner Lynn Nottage, MJ The Musical is intoxicating and will have MJ fans shouting and dancing all night.  

Michael Jackson's awards include 15 Grammy Awards, 6 Brit Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and 39 Guinness World Records. In addition, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Dance Hall of Fame (the only recording artist to be inducted), and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame. And considered the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time.

In August this year, Michael Jackson, who died in 2009 while preparing for his comeback concert, This Is It, died from an overdose of propofol and would have been 64 years old. Many see him as a fallen figure who never understood life changes as you grow into adulthood—choosing to forget or ignore how challenging it is for a child to be the primary financial income for the entire family. But, on the other hand, some will never forget him as a musical genius who left this earth too soon. Agree or disagree is just "Human Nature."

Let's Play Highly Recommends MJ The Musical at the Neil Simon Theater in New York. In addition, the North American Tour of MJ The Musical will be in Chicago on July 15th, 2023, at the James M Nederlander Theatre.  

MJ The Musical 

Book by Lynn Nottage

Directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon

Neil Simon Theater - Now Playing

250 W. 52nd St.

New York, New York 10019

2 hours, 30 minutes