by Michael Jackson is one of the most recognizable names in history. Even though Jackson passed away in 2009, he is still known as the king of pop and his music is played everywhere to this day. Jackson still holds the number one best-selling album of all time for “Thriller” while the numbers keep growing.
It was only a matter of time before a musical was made with Jackson’s songs. MJ the Musical is a smashing success being nominated for 10 Tony awards including Best Musical while winning the following awards:
- Best Actor in a Musical
- Best Choreography
- Best Lighting Design
- Best Sound Design of a Musical
SPOILERS AHEAD:
The musical is set in 1992 while Michael Jackson and his crew preparing for the Dangerous World Tour. It gives a peek behind the curtain of Jackson during rehearsals and how his stage persona was different from how he was in his everyday life. The musical features a reporter doing a story on Jackson featuring the upcoming tour which triggers flashbacks for Jackson taking the audience back into his days with the Jackson 5 and growing up always in the spotlight.
A main theme throughout the show was his struggle with his abusive father that looms over him for the rest of his life into adulthood. Another theme is Jackson’s use of painkillers which he was addicted to after an accident during the filming of a Pepsi commercial with his brothers when his hair caught on fire from pyrotechnics.
Throughout the show the audience will be dazzled by acts that feature many of Jackson’s iconic songs and dance moves. The combination of these elements makes the audience feel like they are at a Michael Jackson concert. The musical features some of Jackson’s most iconic songs like “Beat It”, “Billie Jean”, “Bad” and “Smooth Criminal”. The show ends with MJ launching out of the ground just like he did at the beginning of his Dangerous World Tour leaving the audience in awe.
MJ the Musical will play in Cleveland at Playhouse Square until August 11, 2024 where they will continue their tour in Washington DC.
