Jordan Markus as MJ and the cast of "MJ The Musical" now at the Arsht Center through Sunday, March 23. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
The setting at the beginning of “MJ The Musical,” a thrilling live show, resembles the inside of a prison. That is fitting. Indeed, this electrifying, Tony Award-winning Broadway bio-musical about the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson (1958-2009), holds you captive for roughly two hours and 40 minutes, including an intermission.
The show is an explosion of song and sights. Get ready for a stunning visual feast through eye-popping projections, as well as an immensely satisfying immersion in Jackson’s music. Surely, his fans will cheer, and so will those new to the King of Pop.
Jordan Markus as Michael Jackson in "MJ The Musical" at the Adrienne Arsht Center through Sunday, March 23. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
A dynamic and credible equity national touring production of “MJ The Musical” is not only playing at Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center through Sunday, March 23 but is making its rounds throughout the Sunshine State.
It will return to the region for a run at Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Center for the Performing Arts from Tuesday, April 8 through Sunday, April 20. In between the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale runs, the show will play in Naples from Tuesday, March 25 to Sunday, 30 and Fort Myers from Thursday, April 1 through Sunday, April 6. Following the Fort Lauderdale engagement, the touring production will move to Jacksonville for a run from Tuesday, April 22 through Sunday, April 27.
Undoubtedly, audience members during opening night of the Miami run were excited to witness a musical about the King of Pop. They enthusiastically cheered as soon as they heard the opening notes of some of his most recognizable songs.
Jordan Markus as MJ and the First National Tour Cast of MJ. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
“MJ The Musical” features 40 of Jackson’s greatest hits. But this show is not a concert or a “cradle to grave” tell-all chronological piece. Rather, it is focused and cleverly constructed. Specifically, librettist Lynn Nottage, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright (and the first and only woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama twice), framed the show as a documentary team from MTV chronicling the creation of Jackson’s “Dangerous World Tour” in 1992. The tour’s purpose was to promote Jackson's eighth studio album, "Dangerous," released in 1991.
As Jackson (a fabulous Jordan Markus) and others prepare for the tour, a reporter (an inquisitive, yet pleasant and enthusiastic Cecilia Petrush) and her cameraman interview Jackson. This allows the show to flash back to the past numerous times, as Jackson recalls his past for the journalists interviewing him – and us. Under Christopher Wheeldon’s first-rate direction, the show fluidly moves back and forth between the present and the past.
To her credit, Nottage doesn't just tell us about Jackson’s past, she shows it. Three actors of different ages portray Jackson through the years, spanning from 1965 to 1992. Through flashbacks and dreamlike sequences, Nottage takes us through Jackson’s life, from his childhood with the Jackson 5 to his rise to stardom, his triumphs, and his setbacks, such as the Pepsi fire (in 1984, his hair caught fire due to malfunctioning pyrotechnics during a commercial for Pepsi). In addition, Nottage gives us a peek into his creative process and we meet some of the people who shaped Jackson as a star and a man.
Jordan Markus captures the essence of Michael Jackson in the Broadway touring production. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
We learn not only about Jackson the artist, but Jackson as a youth physically abused by his father, Joe (a commanding and imposing Devin Bowles, who also portrays Jackson’s manager, Rob, with authority.)
“Tell me about your father,” Rachel asks Jackson at one point.
“He was a tough man,” the King of Pop replies. “He didn’t show a lot of love.”
But Nottage’s love for Jackson shines through in her writing. In fact, some have criticized “MJ the Musical” for ignoring the darker side of Jackson’s adult life. It included tabloid controversies and allegations of child molestation (a jury acquitted him of all charges).
But does the creator of a show about a beloved and famous star need to cover every aspect of his or her career and life? How thorough does the creator need to be? It is something to think about, and the answers probably depend on whom you ask.
“I want to keep this about my music,” Jackson tells the journalist.
“Is it possible to separate your life from your music?” she asks.
Perhaps, at the very least, “MJ the Musical” could have included a prologue or epilogue describing darker details from Jackson’s life for a more balanced show.
Brandon Lee Harris as Michael and the Broadway national touring cast of "MJ the Musical." (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
As it is, we learn that Jackson, while immensely talented, was not a saint.
“The pills are becoming a problem,” someone notes. Jackson's death was ruled a homicide due to acute propofol intoxication, with other medications like lorazepam, midazolam, diazepam, lidocaine, and ephedrine contributing as well.
We also learn about Jackson’s financial difficulties.
“You are hemorrhaging money,” a financial advisor (an uptight Jed Resnick) tells Jackson.
Jackson, among other things, was also a perfectionist, the show suggests. His striving for perfection likely helped him achieve his many successes.
As Markus portrays him, it is easy to mistake this talented, versatile performer for the real Jackson. Markus, clad in a hat that hides much of his face, speaks in a soft, high-pitched tone that sounds sweet. He deftly captures Jackson’s essence and nails the star’s signature moves with precision and panache. In fact, the entire cast dances with flair. (Wheeldon’s clever and complex choreography captured one of the Broadway production’s Tony Awards.)
A segment about life as The Jackson 5 in "MJ The Musical." (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
Markus, with captivating stage presence, also conveys Jackson’s quiet determination, confidence, and modesty. Further, this triple-threat performer boasts a clear and expressive voice. It is a voice that, like Jackson, proves capable of powerful and delicate singing.
Generally, the songs neatly fit into this show’s narrative, but some seem forced. The cast sings the numbers with strong backing from a live band.
In addition to the performers, we must also praise the behind-the-scenes artists. They include Gareth Owen, whose sound design is clear and crisp.
The national touring cast of "MJ The Musical." (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
Natasha Katz’s lighting design is appropriately realistic during scenes set in the present and less realistic during flashbacks.
Paul Tazewell’s costumes achieve variety, befit the characters wearing them, and it appears that the performers can easily move while wearing the clothes.
Derek McLane’s set design in the beginning, with its predominantly gray color, suggests a dingy rehearsal space (different scenic pieces seamlessly enter and exit the stage according to a scene’s needs). But, to my eyes, the gray, spacious, yet enclosed space at the top of the show suggested a prison-like environment.
“MJ The Musical” may not be a perfect show, as Jackson would have wanted. But, thanks to the piece’s many positive qualities, we gladly confine ourselves within this space for more than two hours.
Bane Griffith as Little Michael and Anastasia Talley as Katherine Jackson in the Broadway national touring production of "MJ: The Musical." (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
IF YOU GO
- WHAT: The first equity national tour of “MJ The Musical.”
- WHEN: Through Sunday, March 23. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, as well as 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
- WHERE: Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami.
- TICKETS: $49-$199
- INFO: www.arshtcenter.org and (305) 949-6722. For more information about the touring production’s future stops, go to tour.mjthemusical.com.
