Framed as an MTV documentary capturing the final days of rehearsals before the 1992-3 Dangerous tour, MJ The Musical is stacked with iconic music and choreography, awe-inspiring design, and phenomenal performances.
MJ The Musical is directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, with book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, music supervision and direction by David Holcenberg, and orchestrations and arrangements by Holcenberg and Jason Michael Webb. The musical focuses on Jackson’s creative process, the relentless speculation and slander he experienced from the media, and the pressures and challenges he faced as a trailblazing Black artist and one of the first truly global superstars.
This is a jukebox musical of Jackson’s greatest hits from the first three decades of his career, from Jackson 5 classics like ABC through to solo hits like Thriller, Smooth Criminal, Billie Jean, and countless others performed live. It captures his rise to mega-stardom up to the early 90s and the ways in which cracks were already starting to appear in his intensive approach.
Michael Jackson’s Dangerous World Tour lasted for almost 18 months, spanning 70 concerts from June 1992 to November 1993, to promote Jackson’s eight studio album. This was his second tour as a solo artist, after the Bad world tour, and MJ The Musical depicts his determination to outdo himself and further exceed expectations. All profits from the Dangerous tour (which grossed over 100 million dollars in the early nineties) were donated to charitable causes, including Jackson’s newly-established Heal The World Foundation in aid of children and the environment.
Through the documentary structure, the musical also reflects on Michael’s early fame as the youngest member of the Jackson 5; the cultural ripple effects of his street dance moves as part of the family troupe, and later as a solo artist; his father’s violence, and the ways this informed Michael’s own quiet but steely perfectionism; and the way in which his narrative-driven music videos redefined the genre. It also depicts an increasing dependence on painkillers, initially prescribed following a pyrotechnic injury on the Pepsi-sponsored Victory Tour with the Jackson 5 in the mid-80s.
In rehearsals, Michael inspires and motivates his dancers and they lean towards him as he spins visions for the work they are creating together. His gentle perfectionism is contrasted against his father’s aggression, shown in flashbacks. Despite concerns about cost and safety from his business advisors and associates, Michael is fixated on Dangerous being even bigger and better than Bad, and focused on raising money for his charity. The MTV journalist, Rachel (played by Penny McNamee), asks questions that keep the narrative moving forward, or fill in gaps of information by reflecting on the past. Jackson’s later life was mired in further controversies and media scrutiny, but MJ The Musical closes with his star still on the rise, celebrating his groundbreaking artistry and charitable focus.
Throughout the show, Michael Jackson is depicted at several different ages, played as a child by Blaiyze Barksdale, Gebriel Batchelor Walters, and Ben Bonner. Liam Damons plays Michael as a passionate, energetic teenager and young man, asserting his own autonomy and artistry separate from his family.
Ilario Grant is a true triple threat, embodying the adult Michael with an ease that can only come from intensive study, and rising to the profound challenge of portraying such a distinctive, well-documented figure without his performance becoming an impersonation. Grant captures Jackson’s sharp, skillful movement as dancer; his soft voice, breathy vocalisations, and famous falsetto; and a playful sense of humour but deep seriousness about his art.
J Daughtry gives an outstanding performance in the dual roles of tour director Rob and patriarch Joseph Jackson, switching seamlessly between the characters and sucking the air from the 2000-seat theatre with his violence as Joe. Oyoyo Joi delivers a vocally stunning performance as Katherine Jackson, Michael’s mother.
A powerful, versatile ensemble of singers and dancers support these leading performances. It is increasingly rare to see a large-scale musical with such a strong focus on dance, and the result is captivating. The choreography includes scenes of Michael naming and impersonating the styles of his musical and dance influences, including Fred Astaire, Bob Fosse, and the Nicholas Brothers. The Thriller performance was especially awe-inspiring, and Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ brought people to their feet partway through the first act.
Scenic design by Derek McLane, lighting designed by Natasha Katz, and sound design by Gareth Owen further elevate the spectacle of MJ The Musical. The primary setting is an industrial-style warehouse rehearsal room with a recording studio, a hotel room, and various television show settings also rolling smoothly on and off. Road cases become beds, signage flies in and out, and projections designed by Peter Nigrini wrapped the entire stage in cityscapes, neon signage, shards of headlines exploding outward from MJ, and many more memories and fantasies.
Innumerable costumes designed by Paul Tazewell and wigs and hair design by Charles G Lapointe transport the cast across multiple fashion eras and capture many of Jackson’s memorable looks, from Smooth Criminal‘s white suit and hat to the sequinned blue-and-gold military jacket setting off an armful of Grammys in 1984.
From an electrifying opening number to a lengthy standing ovation, MJ The Musical was a celebration Michael Jackson’s boundary-pushing vision, ambitious artistry, and legacy as the King of Pop and one of history’s greatest entertainers.
MJ The Musical is playing at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC, from 30 March – 24 May 2026
For ticketing and further information, visit the QPAC website
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