Thriller

MJ, the Musical

After years of delay, complications and Covid-caused theatre shutdowns, this long-awaited musical is finally making its splashy debut in Chicago. And, as indicated by the well-deserved standing ovations opening night, the show’s 2023 arrival was, indeed, well worth the wait! This infectious jukebox musical is an eye-popping, high-octane tribute to Michael Jackson, dubbed The King of Pop. He’s undeniably one of the greatest entertainers of all time, and this respectful testimonial to Jackson’s talent, generosity and commitment to perfection illuminates every one of his best qualities.

The musical, which takes a close look at the real Michael Jackson, at first appears like a vehicle for entertaining the audience with more than twenty-five of  Jackson’s hits. But the show endeavors to reveal what made this brilliant young performer tick and how his creative process developed over time. The musical does this by focusing on a two-day rehearsal period for the star, his band and his brilliant company of singer/dancers. While they polish the songs and choreography that will be part of Jackson’s Dangerous World Tour, a young filmmaker and her cameraman are given the rare opportunity to document this event and interview MJ, as he’s called. 

During the forty-eight hours prior to launching the tour, we delve into the singer’s past and relive many of his memories, both good and bad. We experience the phenomenal success of The Jackson Five; the night the young African-American performers played New York’s famed Apollo Theatre; we learn how Berry Gordy took Michael under his wing to produce this Motown sensation. The musical looks at Jackson’s relationship with celebrities like Don Cornelius, Quincy Jones, Jackie Wilson, James Brown, the Isley Brothers, and others. But it also gives the audience a hard look at Joe Jackson, Michael’s strict, heartless, relentlessly-driven father. However, in contrast, the young man’s family life is also tempered by his four caring siblings and his loving mother, Katherine. 

But it’s the music and dancing the audiences have come to see and cheer about. The musical features such hits as “Bad,” “Beat It,” “Billie Jean, “I’ll Be There,” “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Rock With You,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “She’s Out of My Life,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” and, of course, “Thriller.” Settling in for a five-week stay, theatergoers will be treated to a kaleidoscopic, super sonic, adrenaline-infused spectacle of sight and sound. A magnificent, massive, multitalented company of triple-threats leaves the audience breathless with their nonstop dynamic performances. Directed and Choreographed by the show’s original Broadway creative, talented Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon (“An American in Paris”), this production is a jaw-dropping Thriller. It’s a loving likeness of the original Broadway production, with the same star quality, production values and minute attention to detail.  

Originally the musical was scheduled to open a two-month, preBroadway tryout in Chicago back in 2019. Claiming “scheduling difficulties,” and possibly as a result of the AEA actor strike, the Michael Jackson Estate canceled the tryout. But the show continued rehearsing in New York City and finally booked a direct-to-Broadway opening the following year. However more difficulties arrived when the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the entire Great White Way. Eventually, after many delays, “MJ, the Musical” opened on Broadway in 2021, where it’s still playing to sellout audiences. The production was nominated for ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and took home four, including Best Actor in a Musical.

Leading the show’s North American tour, which begins in Chicago, Roman Banks is the affable, gifted and hardworking young actor who stars in the Tour’s title role. No newcomer to the stage, Roman may be remembered as the the first BIPOC actor to play the title role in “Dear Evan Hanson.” He’s also a cast member of Disney’s popular television series, “High School Musical: the Musical.” Having seen Myles Frost, the gifted Tony winner, play MJ on Broadway, I can assure you that Mr. Banks is every bit his equal. Roman leads this production with the same charisma, musical and choreographic talents as Frost. Roman Banks also possesses the remarkable ability to channel Michael Jackson’s inimitable vocal and physical mannerisms. Because the role is so demanding, MJ is played at certain performances by his Alternate, Jamaal Fields-Green.

Taking on a real challenge, Devin Bowles makes his National Tour debut in the dual roles of Rob, Michael Jackson’s manager, and his father, Joe Jackson. Seamlessly switching characters, sometimes within a mere line of dialogue, Mr. Bowles is absolutely magnificent. He plays the yin and yang of Michael’s life, one a heartless father—a depressing and frightening memory from his past; the other a caring father figure, a kind and supportive team player in the present. Watch carefully how Devin, as Joe Jackson, evolves before your eyes into the demon monster of Michael’s “Thriller” nightmare. Making his National Tour debut, Devin’s a very talented actor/singer/dancer from Tennessee who, undoubtedly, will be going on to even bigger and better roles in his future.

The rest of the ensemble, who also play countless multiple roles, are fantastic. Little Michael is brilliantly played alternately by Josiah Benson and Ethan Joseph. Teenage Michael is portrayed with alacrity by Brandon Lee Harris. As Michael’s mother, Katherine, Anastasia Talley brings gentility and love to the Jackson clan, and shows off her many talents singing and dancing, both as a soloist and as part of the ensemble. 

J. Daughtry and Matt Loehr play several different important men from MJ’s life and kudos to the outstanding company of gifted  singers and dancers who really make this musical rock.

The script for the show by Lynn Nottage, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist, is, sadly, often disappointing. It’s repetitive, trite and bland. The book could’ve been edited in favor of fewer banal lines and more musical numbers. Perhaps even making it the show shorter would support PT Barnum’s wise recommendation to always leave the audience wanting more. But Victor Simonson’s sharp Musical Direction and combination pit-and-onstage orchestra, Derek McLane’s terrific Scenic Design, coupled with Natasha Katz’s brilliant Lighting, Peter Nigrini’s eye-boggling Projections and Gareth Owen’s well-balanced Sound, and Costumes and Wig & Hair Design by Paul Tazwell and Charles G. LaPointe, respectively, make this entire production a true “Thriller.”  

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented August 1-September 2 by Broadway in Chicago at the Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago.

Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices, the BIC Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.