Name: MJ The Musical on Broadway
Start: 2021-12-06
Location: Neil Simon Theatre

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MJ The Musical on Broadway [23379]

Genre: Musical (US and AUS)

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MJ The Musical on Broadway

MJ Tony Wrap

Michael Jackson, one of the most beloved and influential musicians of all time, chased perfection his entire existence. It's unfortunate he is not alive to witness the flawless production of <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/mj-the-musical" target="_blank">MJ the Musical</a>, a model biographical musical now open at the <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/neil-simon-theatre" target="_blank">Neil Simon Theatre</a> on Broadway.&nbsp;Under the exemplary direction and choreography of Christopher Wheeldon, the production gives context to Jackson's inherited demons and zooms in on his daunting creative process and peerless genius. MJ is the platinum standard the often-uninspired, generic jukebox musical could benefit to emulate.&nbsp;The musical doesn't tell his full life story. The book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage narrows in on Jackson's Dangerous Tour rehearsals in 1992 — well before allegations of child molestation charges against Jackson arose. With the Jackson estate on the production team, Nottage has fixed this musical's lens on the stories the artist told through his music. Jackson's troubled childhood, pain, and loneliness fueled creativity and inspired the lyrics he wrote.Nottage's brilliant book gives the character of Jackson depth, and Myles Frost (who plays the eldest of three MJs who share the role) embodies the musician's complex persona. With every "hee-hee" and pelvic thrust, one can almost forget they're not seeing the King of Pop before their eyes. It's not easy to sing a Jackson song or move with the late star's precision, flexibility, and finesse. Many American Idol auditions have proven this true. But here, Frost has immersed himself into the spirit of Michael Jackson, producing distinct parallels to the icon's childlike behavior, restlessness, and paranoia.Frost gives this show not only his divine voice, but also a nuanced performance that humanizes the flawed superstar. In fact, all three generations of MJ exceed expectations. Little Michael (a talented Christian Wilson at the performance I saw) and young adult Michael (a fierce Tavon Olds-Sample) work together in seamless transitions to tell the full story of Jackson's early years.Both Quentin Earl Darrington (Once On This Island), and Ayana George (Broadway debut), who play Joe and Katherine Jackson, respectively, give powerhouse vocal performances. George especially shines during "I'll Be There," an affectionate duet with Little Michael. Though one can read Katherine as an enabler to Joe's rampant physical and emotional abuse, this number gives a tender softness to her love and vowed protection of Jackson.&nbsp;Darrington also plays Rob, Jackson's trusted tour manager. The smooth and swift changes between a man Jackson fears and a man he trusts give scene transitions delicate density.Musical numbers like "They Don't Really Care About Us," "Human Nature," "Stranger in Moscow," and "Thriller" are the show's highlight reels. The numbers are filled with Wheeldon's masterful choreography, blending modern dance, Jackson's iconic moves from the 90s, and deep, soul-stirring storytelling of the artist's triumphs and tribulations. The dance ensemble delivers paramount performances that leave an imprint on the memory. This team is a true tour-de-force.In the audience, some longtime fans sang along and cried, others who never experienced Jackson live remained mesmerized, and even a few skeptics cheered thunderously. They'd gasped loudly every time Frost changed a jacket or put on the iconic bedazzled glove.Paul Tazewell's magnificent costume design carries the cast through the MJ timeline seamlessly. A killer set by Derek McLane, amplified by gorgeous lighting by Natasha Katz, gives the show a visual beauty that makes it hard to look away.While Jackson's story is flawed, it's too complicated for anyone who hasn't danced in his shoes. MJ The Musical, however, is the perfect salutation to the life of an imperfect but gifted icon.<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/mj-the-musical" target="_blank">MJ The Musical is at the Neil Simon Theatre. MJ The Musical tickets will be available on New York Theatre Guide soon.</a>Photo credit: Myles Frost and the company of MJ The Musical. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)

'MJ The Musical' review — a flawless tribute to a flawed icon

MJ The Musical

MJ The Musical is at the Neil Simon Theatre. MJ The Musical tickets will be available on New York Theatre Guide soon.

MJ The Musical Review | New York Theatre Guide

The Neil Simon Theatre was designed by Herbert J. Krapp for the real estate mogul Alexander Pincus. The Neil Simon Theatre officially opened on November 22, 1927 as the Alvin Theatre. It was named after producers Alex Aarons and Vinton Freedley, as an amalgamation of their first names.

The inaugural production at the venue was George and Ira Gershwin's *Funny Face*, which starred Fred and Adele Astaire. During the Great Depression, the venue was used as a radio studio by CBS. The Nederlander Organization purchased the property in 1977 and rechristened it in honor of the American playwright Neil Simon on June 29, 1983. The building earned New York City landmark status in 1985. 

## How to get to the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway

The closest subway station to the Neil Simon Theatre is 50th Street on the C, E, and 1 lines. The closest bus stops are 7th Av/W 41st St. on the M7, M20, or M104 line and 7th Av/W 42nd St. on the M42, SIM8, SIM8X, SIM22, SIM25, SIM26, and SIM30 lines.

## Restaurants near the Neil Simon Theatre

Popular restaurants near the Neil Simon Theatre include Haswell Green's (American), Gallagher's (steakhouse), Cha Pa's Noodles and Grill (Vietnamese), and Rosie O'Grady's (steak and seafood). Also nearby is Ellen's Stardust Diner, a famous New York institution featuring singing waiters.

Neil Simon Theatre - NY

Neil Simon Theatre

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Neil Simon Theatre Seating Plan - NYC - 900x1330px

Michael Jackson fans rejoice! MJ The Musical is now at the Neil Simon Theatre. Get MJ The Musical tickets on Broadway now.

MJ The Musical is set primarily at a rehearsal for Jackson's Dangerous World Tour in 1992. There, an MTV camera crew arrives to get footage and interviews for a documentary on the singer's career. As he sings his hit songs and gradually opens up to the interviewer, his memories and key moments in his career come to life.

The world premiere of MJ The Musical (previously titled Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough) officially debuted on Broadway in 2021. Under the direction of Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon (who also won a Tony Award for choreographing the production), the new bio-musical features a plethora of Michael Jackson's greatest hits and a new book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage.

Nottage got her first Tony Award nomination in 2017 for her Broadway debut,&nbsp;Sweat. She made history as a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, being honored in 2009 for Ruined and in 2017 for Sweat, and her work has also been produced regularly off Broadway, including productions of Intimate Apparel, Mlima's Tale, and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark. Wheeldon is perhaps best known to New York audiences for directing and choreographing the 2015 Broadway premiere of An American in Paris.

With over 350 million records worldwide, Michael Jackson was an artist unlike any other. His career put him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, and made him the only recording artist in the Dance Hall of Fame. Starring as Michael Jackson in this world premiere of MJ The Musical is Myles Frost in his Broadway debut; he won a 2022 Tony for his portrayal.

## What songs are in *MJ The Musical*?

MJ The Musical showcases more than 25 of Jackson's cherished hits, including "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," "Rock with You," "Billie Jean," "Beat It," "Thriller," "Bad," "Man in the Mirror," "Smooth Criminal," "Black or White," and "Heal the World." These songs are reimagined in innovative ways to tell Jackson's career story.

## How long is the *MJ* musical?

*MJ The Musical* runs 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an intermission.

MJ The Musical on Broadway provides an electrifying experience for Michael Jackson fans across the globe to visit and relive the memories.

Get tickets to MJ The Musical in New York now.

MJ The Musical - NYC - New York Theatre Guide

Get tickets to MJ The Musical on Broadway from the official New York Theatre Guide. Relive the life and music of Michael Jackson at this Tony-winning show.

MJ The Musical Tickets | The Official New York Theatre Guide

See a new side of the cultural trailblazer, complete with gorgeous renditions of his greatest hits and his iconic dance moves, in *MJ The Musical*. Michael Jackson takes center stage, circa 1992, as an MTV camera crew's interview unlocks memories and key moments of the icon's rise to stardom. Find out more about *MJ The Musical* tickets.

The *MJ* Broadway musical is mostly set in a rehearsal studio, where Jackson is preparing for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. An MTV reporter arrives to interview Jackson for a documentary, and he gradually opens up about his childhood and the moments that shaped his career.

The songs are Jackson’s, of course, and the book is by Lynn Nottage, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright for her plays *Ruined* and *Sweat*. She also received a Tony nomination for *MJ*.

*MJ The Musical* uses Jackson’s tunes in creative ways. For example, an adult Jackson reckons with his rocky relationship with his father through the horror-infused “Thriller”. But the choreography is also a major storytelling tool, which sets *MJ* apart from a Michael Jackson tribute concert. It’s fitting that the music and dance are equally key in the story of a man inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Dance Hall of Fame (he’s the only music artist in the latter!).

Jackson is also in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — twice. He has 15 Grammy Awards, six Brit Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and 39 Guinness World Records including Most Successful Entertainer of All Time.

## What to Watch For

- When you walk into the theatre, look closely at the semi-sheer curtain hanging in front of the stage. Jackson’s handwritten rehearsal notes are projected onto it.
- Wheeldon choreographed *MJ* alongside Rich and Tone Talauega, two of Jackson’s former backup dancers and collaborators. They have since become renowned choreographers for two other Jackson-inspired shows in the U.S. and for pop stars including Madonna, Missy Elliott, and the Backstreet Boys.
- *MJ* creatives Nottage and Wheeldon describe *MJ* as an in-depth look at Jackson’s life and creative process, and not just a jukebox musical. “You will leave with a better understanding of who he was as a human being,” Nottage told The New York Times.
- According to set designer Derek McLane, the show frequently transports audiences “into Michael’s mind — his memories and dreams,” including a flashy streetscape design dotted with neon and fire escapes.
- Nottage is everywhere on the New York theatre scene. Her new play *Clyde’s* also premiered on Broadway in 2021, with performances beginning two months before the first performance of *MJ*. An opera adaptation of her play *Intimate Apparel* played at Lincoln Center in January 2022, making her the only person to have a play, musical, and opera in New York at the same time.
- Jackson was the first artist to have singles in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 in five separate decades — he achieved early success leading the Jackson 5 with his brothers as a child before launching his solo career.

MJ The Musical on Broadway [23379]  - TodayTix

MJ The Musical on Broadway Tickets | New York | TodayTix

Experience the story behind the King of Pop's singular career and greatest hits. The Tony-winning musical offers a deep look into his creative process and all the energy of a Michael Jackson concert, complete with more than 20 of his classic songs and signature dance moves.

MJ - GS - NYC

Experience a fresh take on the King of Pop in this Tony Award-winning musical, featuring stunning versions of his top hits and signature dance steps. During tour rehearsals in 1992, Michael Jackson steps into the limelight as an MTV interviewer peels back the layers of his meteoric rise to fame.

MJ The Musical on Broadway Tickets

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