{"id":288201,"date":"2026-04-27T14:53:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T14:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/288201\/"},"modified":"2026-04-27T14:53:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T14:53:10","slug":"mj-the-musical-a-hit-with-the-audiences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/288201\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cMJ\u201d the Musical \u2013 A Hit With the Audiences"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cMJ\u201d the Musical landed at the Pantages Theater<\/a> for a two week run this past Tuesday April 21, 2026.\u00a0 The crowd was pumped and ready, Michael Jackson fans all.\u00a0 With such high anticipation careening around the theater, I hoped that this production could live up to expectations.\u00a0 Did it, well, almost. This is an imperfect yet exhilarating show that takes the audience for a wild ride from Michael\u2019s early days to his final desperate moments all while touching on at least forty of his greatest hits. This count alone makes this an important story in American pop culture.<\/p>\n

\"MJ<\/a><\/p>\n

MJ the Musical \u2013 The Jackson 5 from the First National Tour of MJ featuring from L Jackson-Vann as Little Marlon and Eric Wiltz as Little Michael \u2013 Photo by Matthew Murphy.<\/p>\n

This approximately two-hour show that must encompass a whole life is asking for more than is truly possible yet, the Book by Lynn Nottage<\/a> distills the essence of Jackson\u2019s accomplishments and struggles into a relatable story.\u00a0 She meshes the Michael of early days as part of the Jackson Five through his meteoric rise to pop icon of the 1980\u2019s and 90\u2019s.\u00a0 Jordon Markus<\/a> in a tour de force performance embodies Jackson so well that you forget that this is a character and not the real deal.\u00a0 He can sing dance, act and though much taller than Jackson, his abilities eclipse this problem.\u00a0 We meet him as he joins a rehearsal for his upcoming \u201cDangerous World Tour.\u201d \u00a0A reporter and cameraman are on hand to do a story about Michael for MTV and this interaction sets up the premise of the show.\u00a0 Through this device we are taken from the present day to the past and back again, an old trope but one that works well here.<\/p>\n

\"MJ<\/a><\/p>\n

MJ the Musical \u2013 The Jackson 5 from the First National Tour of MJ featuring center Brandon Lee Harris as Michael \u2013 Photo by Matthew Murphy.<\/p>\n

Director\/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon<\/a> an English ballet choreographer seems like an unlikely choice for a \u201cjukebox musical\u201d of this scope and yet he manages not only to make it happen but to do justice to the subject. Wheeldon is smart enough to know that recreating the iconic work of previous groundbreaking choreographers is not to his benefit so instead he only touches on the style and then makes the work his own.\u00a0 Luckily, Jackson\u2019s movement is beautifully recreated for Jordon Markus by Rich & Tone Talauega<\/a>, which adds a level of needed authenticity.<\/p>\n

\"MJ<\/a><\/p>\n

MJ the Musical \u2013 Michael Nero as Quincy Jones, Brandon Lee Harris as Michael in the MJ First National Tour \u2013 Photo by Matthew Murphy.<\/p>\n

In reality Michael\u2019s life was complex and full of trauma beginning with his abusive, womanizing father played well by Devin Bowles who has a secondary role as the beleaguered tour manager.\u00a0 We see very young Michael as he out shines his \u201cJackson Five\u201d brothers on his way up.\u00a0 Jackson Robert Vann handles this role well as does Melvin Gray Jr. as the emerging teenage superstar.\u00a0 Both are able to sing, dance and act so well that we soon forget that one is too tall and the other too short to perfectly embody the age range. \u00a0Always his advocate Michaels\u2019 mother is sympathetically played by Rajan\u00e9 Katurah who brings her incredible singing chops to the fore both here and in alternate roles.\u00a0\u00a0 Throughout, Wheeldon has double or even triple cast the performers so a back-up singer in one sequence for example, may be a music executive in another.\u00a0 This concept works well for the most part and probably helps keep the cast from becoming too unwieldy though there are moments when the show balances just on the precipice.<\/p>\n

\"MJ<\/a><\/p>\n

MJ the Musical \u2013 Studio 54 from The First National Tour of MJ featuring (center) Brandon Led Harris as Michael \u2013 Photo by Matthew Murphy.<\/p>\n

Beginning with the \u201cDangerous\u201d rehearsal and traveling through time we are inundated with hit tune after hit tune used to denote and illustrate the action.\u00a0\u00a0 This well-organized catalogue of music is overwhelming in its\u2019 depth, every tune recognizable as was evidenced by the audiences\u2019 rapturous reactions.\u00a0 Carefully melded together, Wheeldon and his team keep the show moving at breakneck speed with clever transitions and an uncompromising build to the end.<\/p>\n

The dancing and choreography were generally well executed with some numbers cleaner and more focused than others.\u00a0 A tribute to Michaels\u2019 idols Fred Astair, Bob Fosse and The Nicholas Brothers surprisingly felt like a clumsily inserted afterthought. Yet, the recreated performance of \u201cBillie Jean\u201d at the 1983 \u201cMotown 25\u201d TV Special where the single white rhinestone glove made its\u2019 first appearance absolutely brought the house down.\u00a0\u00a0 This dichotomy is indicative of the show overall as its\u2019 weaknesses are quickly overridden by its\u2019 strengths and its\u2019 breakneck speed.<\/p>\n

\"MJ<\/a><\/p>\n

MJ the Musical \u2013 Jordan Markus as MJ in the First National Tour Cast of MJ \u2013 Photo by Matthew Murphy.<\/p>\n

Some of the more controversial aspects of Michaels\u2019 life are not addressed.\u00a0 We can see that he is troubled and that he has become reliant on drugs since being badly burned during a Pepsi commercial shoot.\u00a0 He is idolized by millions yet deeply lonely and as played by Jordan Marcus we feel his pain.\u00a0 Thus, when the final scenes play out through the use of mega hit \u201cThriller,\u201d we are taken on a harrowing, wildly staged ride joining him on an endless loop he cannot escape. Touches of \u201cMan in the Mirror\u201d bring it all home. The final moment is fraught with power and sadness a fitting tribute to the \u201cKing of Pop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brilliant Orchestrations & Arrangements are by Jason Michael Webb and David Holcenberg.<\/p>\n

The dynamic ever changing Scenic Design is by Derek McLane with impeccable Lighting Design by Natasha Katz and Costume Design by Paul Tazewell. \u00a0The dynamic Projection Design is by Peter Nigrini with Sound by Gareth Owen.<\/p>\n

The non-stop music was played by the terrific traveling band live onstage with additional local Los Angeles musicians.<\/p>\n

Two important Los Angeles choreographers who had a lasting impact on Michael\u2019s style are not included within the show but are acknowledged in a short program note.\u00a0 They are Vincent Paterson and the late Michael Peters.<\/p>\n

To see the full season lineup at the Pantages Theatre, please visit their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Written by Tam Warner for LA Dance Chronicle.<\/p>\n

Featured image: MJ the Musical \u2013 Jordan Markus as MJ and the First National Tour Cast of MJ \u2013 Photo by Matthew Murphy.<\/p>\n

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