MJ the Musical
| MJ | |
|---|---|
| The Musical | |
Broadway poster | |
| Music | Various artists |
| Lyrics | Various artists |
| Book | Lynn Nottage |
| Basis | The life and music of Michael Jackson |
| Premiere | December 6, 2021: Neil Simon Theatre, New York City |
| Productions | 2021 Broadway 2023 U.S. Tour 2024 West End 2024 Hamburg 2025 Sydney 2026 Melbourne |
| Awards | Full list |
MJ the Musical is a jukebox musical based on the life of the American entertainer Michael Jackson, focusing on his creative process prior to the Dangerous World Tour. It features Jackson's music, with a book by Lynn Nottage, and direction & choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.
MJ was scheduled to premiere on Broadway in mid-2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. In November 2019, Ephraim Sykes was cast as Jackson, but in June 2021 it was announced that he had been replaced by Myles Frost. The production began previews at the Neil Simon Theatre on December 6, 2021, and officially opened on February 1, 2022. It opened in the London West End in 2024.
MJ The Musical received mixed reviews from critics. It was nominated for 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, with the musical winning four awards, including Best Actor in a Musical for Frost, as well as Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design. The original cast recording was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. By May 2025 the Broadway production had grossed more than 265 million dollars and sold more than 4 million tickets worldwide.