Jordan Markus is enormously charming and exuberant as Jackson, an enigmatic and deeply troubled man who had the biggest selling album of all time, “Thriller.”
This is an incredibly slick and dazzling production with some major talent behind it.
The book is by Lynn Nottage, the Pulitzer Prize winning writer of “Sweat.”
Director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon also helmed the Tony Award winning musical “An American in Paris.”
MJ: The Musical Highlights Dazzle
The story takes place during rehearsals of Michael’s 1992 “Dangerous” World Tour. Rachel (Cecilia Petrush), an ambitious young journalist, is filming a documentary for MTV. She asks Michael about what drives him.
We are then whisked back in time to Michael’s childhood, when he sang with his brothers in the Jackson Five. Little Michael (Bane Griffith) became a sensation due to his incredible charisma and vocal ability. His overbearing and abusive father Joe (Devin Bowles) managed the group. Joe was a tough man who wanted his sons to be successful.
Mother Katherine (Anastasia Talley) is a compassionate woman and comforts Michael after one of Joe’s outbursts. During a soothing moment, Katherine and Michael sing the ballad, “I’ll Be There.”
The Jackson 5’s appearance on the hit “Soul Train” catapulted them to even greater success when they sang “ABC” and “I Want You Back.”
Teenage Michael (Erik Hamilton) collaborates with the legendary producer Quincy Jones (Josh A. Dawson) and has a hit solo album, “Off The Wall,” and then becomes a worldwide sensation with the release of “Thriller” in 1982.
Michael aims to deliver the best experience for his fans. He tells Rachel that he “comes alive” on the stage. His business manager warns him of the hefty cost of the tour and discusses taking out a mortgage on Neverland, Michael’s sprawling estate in California. Michael is also seen taking pain medication as a result of burns he suffered while filming a Pepsi commercial.
“MJ: The Musical” tells part of the story, but leaves much out. Jackson, who died in 2009 from a drug overdose, was accused of child molestation and put on trial (he was acquitted). His record sales fell dramatically and his reputation suffered tremendous damage.
The show was produced with the cooperation of the Jackson estate, so it’s not surprising that the more controversial aspects of Jackson’s life are not explored. A feature film about Jackson’s life is set for release in the fall. Maybe that will be a more comprehensive portrait. What we get here is Jackson’s gentle nature and playful sense of humor. He disguises himself as a janitor at one point.
What makes “MJ: The Musical” so entertaining is the music. The audience cheered when Michael dons his sequined jacket and glove and moonwalks during “Billie Jean.”
“Thriller,” featuring dancing zombies in the moonlight, was another highlight of the show.
Markus captures the essence of Michael Jackson in his dance steps and vocal personality. I also enjoyed Griffith and Hamilton’s incarnations as well.
Derek McLane’s scenic designs are truly spectacular and eye popping, along with the lighting by Natasha Katz and costumes by Paul Tazewell.
The orchestra, under the direction of Nathanael Wilkerson, did justice to Jackson’s music. “Smooth Criminal” and “Jam” featured explosive percussion which accentuated the energetic choreography.
If you’re a Michael Jackson fan, this show is a must-see. The legend and the music will be around for years to come.
MJ: The Musical runs through January 26. Running time is 2 hours, 40 minutes with intermission. Providence Performing Arts Center. 220 Weybosset St., Providence. For tickets, visit ppacri.org.
Author: Joe Siegel
Joe Siegel is a regular contributing writer for WarwickPost.com. His reporting has appeared in The Sun Chronicle in Attleboro and EDGE.
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