Blurb: He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry is finally coming to Broadway in a brand-new musical. Centered around the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour, and created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Jackson into legendary status. Turn it up, Broadway — MJ is here!
My take: This is a hard one to describe. I mean the first thing is obvious : of course the music slaps, all of his songs are bops and I was and still am somewhat obsessed with the music. Therefore whatever happens creatively as to how the songs are tied together, you know you will have an enjoyable night. Other good things : the dancing is spectacular and Quentin Earl Darrington is really good. I also really appreciated that man in the mirror was the last song, even though I was not fully in love as to how it was handled.
What didn’t fully work for me?
Well First, Myles frost was out the day I went, I got the MJ understudy and it was very evident during the first act that there was some nerves going on. Also I feel like I wanted more glitz glamour from the staging and costumes. This was Especially true in the first act as it’s pretty bare and that’s not what one expects from Michael Jackson (I feel there was more glitz and glamour in the cirque su soléil show in Vegas). I wanted the thriller fanfare to have permeated the whole show.
However I think the biggest issue was what wasn’t discussed. The story ends in 1993. And although some of his issues start to be addressed: vitiligo, pills, the relationship with his dad – the big elephant in the room was not addressed at all. I feel it’s a lost opportunity. Also I feel like I wanted more of a story, finality or conclusion – and we just get a glimpse of a life with fabulous songs. The ending in 1993 might have made it easy to cut the storyline but we missed some songs – and also did the songs need to be in chronological order.
It is totally worth watching as it is a fun night out, but there are still questions and the lingering thought of wether this could have been better handled?
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