MJ The Musical Is A Haunting Spectacle On Broadway

Michael Jackson is one of the most culturally significant figures in pop culture, for better or worse. A portion of his life story is being told on stage nightly in MJ The Musical, which focuses on his origins and the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. This Hispanic Heritage Month, Pop Culture Planet was invited to check out the Broadway show, with MJ’s signature dance moves weaved seamlessly into the production by Tony Award winning Mexican American associate choreographer Michael Balderrama.

I will admit I wasn’t sure what to expect with MJ The Musical. Not only am I not a big jukebox musical person, but there’s been a stain left on Jackson’s legacy despite his pioneering talents. We explore the story through the lens of an MTV documentary crew who are following MJ as he prepares for the Dangerous World Tour. As they interview the King of Pop and record his rehearsal process, MJ flashes back to both joyful and difficult moments in his life. The cast rehearsing with him also play members of his family that weave in and out of the past and present in an eerie way.

Through the two and a half hour musical, Jackson’s music is utilized in various ways to tell his story. Some are actual rehearsal production numbers, while others reflect the emotions the characters are feeling. Some are sung by MJ, while others are reworked for other characters. The stand out numbers for me included a beautiful reworking of “I’ll Be There” to highlight a mother’s love sung by Katherine, Little Michael, and MJ and a weighted portrayal of “Thriller” that I can’t stop thinking about.

What truly surprised me was just how deep and haunting this production really is. The layers of having MJ’s choreographer Rob, who is helping run the show, and Joseph Jackson, Michael’s ruthless father, be played by the same actor gave me chills. There are times when MJ is talking to Rob only for the lighting to become more sinister and Joseph to come through in his response. In “Thriller,” we see even see that actor portray the monster who is controlling MJ in a powerful yet disturbing parallel.

MJ The Musical is a masterful take on the jukebox musical with the added depth elevating its spectacle of music and dance. I was utterly blown away! This is one of the best musical biopics I’ve seen and gives a fresh look at the misunderstood superstar.

MJ The Musical is playing at the Neil Simon Theater in New York City.