MJ: The Musical Ressurects the Soul of Michael Jackson in an Awe-Inspiring Spectacle

When you have to put on a show that lives up to the legend that is Michael Jackson, the pressure for perfection is on from jump. MJ: The Musical recently embarked on its first national tour in August 2023 after making its Broadway debut in December 2021, and everyone involved knows exactly how much expectation everyone has to nail it.

Fortunately, they understood the assignment and delivered exactly what they needed to and more.

“We are lucky enough to be tasked with telling the story of one of the greatest performers that has ever graced the face of this planet,” said Da’von T. Moody, who played the cameraman Alejandro at a panel discussion following the show. “That regard alone, that's a lot of pressure. It's never far from the air of the room when we're in the process of creating it, ever. Like, there's only one standard and that is the standard of excellence.”

Roman Banks as 'MJ' and the cast of the MJ First National Tour. Photo by Matthew Murphy, MurphyMade.

Each performer — Roman Banks as the main MJ, Brandon Lee Harris as the teenage Michael, and Josiah Benson as Little Michael — crushed it. Plain and simple, crushed it. They each sounded exactly like Michael, and the dancing especially was next level. I felt like I was at a Michael Jackson concert getting a peek into his life, not at a show about Michael Jackson full of actors.

The dancing, according to Benson at a panel discussion following the show, is the hardest part. “You're dancing and singing at the same time,” he said. “I feel the dance is more [difficult] because you can just stand and sing, but when you’re dancing you have to move and keep your breath up at the same time. So, personally, I think the footwork is more challenging.”

how is MJ: The Musical Structured?

The plot of the show centers around the MTV documentary in 1992 revolving around the Dangerous Tour. It starts out with an open stage, the dancers getting ready right before our eyes without a curtain. The show kicks off with an electric performance of “Beat It,” and Banks proves he was the right choice from the first note, solidified after he danced his way through the first chorus.

Jaylen Lyndon Hunter as ‘Little Marlon’ Ethan Joseph as ‘Little Michael’ and the cast of the MJ First National Tour. Photo by Matthew Murphy, MurphyMade.

In the story, MJ and his dancers are preparing for the aforementioned tour, and MTV’s Rachel (Ayla Stackhouse, u/s for Mary Kate Moore) is in there with Alejandro on the hunt for a story. Of course, MJ isn’t a super big fan of interviews, people in his space, or people trying to control the narrative. He was at the height of his career, and everyone was wondering if Dangerous would live up to all of the past hype, or even surpass it.

MJ agrees to let MTV follow them around, and they capture moments between MJ and his manager, Rob, played by Devin Bowles as he simultaneously plays MJ’s father, Joe Jackson. Bowles is used as a frequent transition between the past and the present, which is predominately how the story is told. MJ reflects on the abusive father he had growing up, and Bowles flawlessly switches between the caring father figure that was Rob and the historically villainous character that was Joe.

“I first want to give props to Lynn Nottage,” Dawson said of the roles during the panel. “She's our playwriter, and she's a multi-Pulitzer-winning writer. It's no hidden figure that a lot of people have villainized Joe Jackson. For me to start there, I make him human. A lot of the lines in the show are not always evil. They come out of somebody who is deemed as evil but sometimes the words aren't always evil. I think it's some of the words that Lynn Nottage has written.”

Roman Banks as 'MJ' and the cast of the MJ First National Tour. Photo by Matthew Murphy, MurphyMade.

When it comes to the dichotomy between the two characters, he said, “What also helps a lot is playing Rob. Rob and Joe very much contrast each other. I think once you realize what a contrast it is, that gives it power. If everybody in the room was quiet, the loud one becomes powerful, and vice versa. I think realizing that contrast when Joe stepped on the stage and in the settings is what attracts the type of power that Joe Jackson has.”

Dressing for the Part

Outside of stellar vocals and flawless character performances, everyone had to look the part, as well. MJ had a signature look, especially in the early 90s with the ponytail and the sunglasses. Each transition through the decades also had to reflect the timeframe the story shifted to, which can be hard to keep up with for the younger cast members who are constantly growing.

In regard to the kids, they also have schooling to juggle while they’re on the show. Their ages range from 11-13 and their contracts only go for six months at a time. They have to do anywhere from 2-4 hours of school daily depending on their show schedule, and sometimes more or less depending on the state.

Still, the show wouldn’t be possible without the people behind the scenes, whether it be set design, wardrobe, or music.

Brandon Lee Harris as 'Michael' and the cast of the MJ First National Tour. Photo by Matthew Murphy, MurphyMade.

Carrying the role, however, has its own pressures, and Lee Harris, who also understudies for MJ in addition to his role as Michael, admits this is “the craziest job I’ve ever had and will ever have in my life. It is such a responsibility, because he is so important not just to music, not just to dance, and not just to pop culture. He’s so important to each and every one of us and we all have these different deep-rooted connections to Michael and his music and his legacy. So I come in, day in and day out, thinking about that connection. None of us can ever be Michael, but he has touched us all so much where, even on our worst days, we have so much energy and passion and love for this work.”

How was The Music in MJ?

I swear by what I said at the start of this review, all three versions of Michael sounded just like him. “Thriller” was by far the standout performance of the show toward the end of the second act, though I also loved the nod to the music video they did in the first one. I think I felt my soul do an actual shift when Banks sang “Stranger in Moscow,” and the entire audience was in tears for “I’ll Be There.”

Josiah Benson as 'Little Michael' and Anastasia Talley as 'Katherine Jackson' in the MJ First National Tour. Photo by Matthew Murphy, MurphyMade.

Of course, other hits like “Billie Jean” and “Man in the Mirror” were just as stellar, and the throwbacks to the Jackson 5 with songs like “ABC” and “I Want You Back” weaved in perfectly. I sincerely appreciated how the transitions happened between the current story and the way it interspersed with MJ’s memories, with a special nod to Bowles for carrying so much of that.

The passion is evident with every hit, and the spirit of Michael Jackson was heavy in the room. I meant it, I really felt like I was at a real MJ concert instead of a Broadway show. Granted, I was never able to see him perform when he was alive, but this is closest that we’ll ever get. Just like the Tina Turner Musical, this tribute honored the late icon and brought him back to life all at the same time.

Grab your tickets for the show at broadwaysd.com!

Have you seen the MJ Musical before? What were your thoughts, or is it still on your list to see? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments!