The opening feels a bit like “A Chorus Line.” Dancers file in with dance bags into a big rehearsal space.
Concrete walls. Floor to ceiling windows.
There's action happening before the show starts as the audience finds their seats.
Photographer: Matthew Murphy
Jordan Markus as Michael Jackson in "MJ: The Musical" now playing at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts through Sunday, April 20. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
“Five minutes to Michael” a man carrying a clipboard bellows. More dancers and others file in, they hug, chat. The bellowing man with the clipboard – "one minute to Michael.”
And then it’s showtime. Everyone takes their places and the opening chords of "Beat It" start; and then MJ (Jordan Markus) makes a grand entrance.
But “MJ: The Musical” doesn’t follow in the footsteps of most other Broadway bio jukebox musicals – although more than 25 of the familiar songs will satisfy those who want to sing along and will certainly get their dose of the King of Pop’s greatest hits.
It’s the two-time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Lynn Nottage, and other Broadway wunderkind director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon who make “MJ: The Musical” sing.
Set during rehearsals in 1992 as Jackson his crew of dancers, back up singers and musicians are getting ready for “Dangerous World Tour,” there's plenty to get done: rehearsals, schedules costume fittings, which will put him and the rest of the production on the road for 15 months and covering 4 continents.
But the King of Pop is worried it’s not going to be good enough. It’s a theme that recurs throughout the show – definitely drilled into the star since he was a boy, as we see, by his demanding father, Joe.
The 33-year-old perfectionist is driving his tour director, Rob (Devin Bowles), crazy. He is hell bent on having a Toaster Lift, a catapult that would thrust the singer six feet into the air for his entrance. (Jackson used this on many of his tours and it was something he was known for.)
Everyone, including his business manager is arguing against it. It’s days until the tour and the musical perfectionist wants to change choreography, he’s mulling over the order of the set list, he wants to hear more high hats on the drums.
He tells a reporter from MTV who is there with her cameraman and who has been allowed to gain access to the pre-tour rehearsals that everything about nothing works unless he “feels” the music.
At one point, when the reporter asks him a question, he answers: “Listen to my music, it will give you all the answers you need.”
The reporter is used as a vehicle for the flashbacks -- the memories of Jackson's life with the first in 1965 when we see a young Michael singing; it's a talent contest, which he won performing “Climb Every Mountain” from “The Sound of Music.”
Photographer: Matthew Murphy
Jordan Markus as Michael Jackson with the dance ensemble in the national touring production of "MJ: The Musical" now at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
“MJ: The Musical,” which opened on Broadway in 2021, won four Tony Awards in 2022 including one for Wheeldon’s choreography. Wheeldon brings in a luscious dance segment with Jackson reflecting on his influences: Fred Astaire, the Nicholas Brothers, Bob Fosse. This is where the British choreographer, who was a dancer with the Royal Ballet and New York City Ballet, then became one of the most sought after choreographers, gets the chance to play with dance styles in this lovely sequence. But get ready to jump out of your seat (many in the audience did after being startled) when the booming strains of “Smooth Criminal” bring us back into the present time of the musical.
The show is still playing on Broadway and seeing the National Tour show at the Broward Center is like being on The Great White Way. It’s pure perfection.
At intermission, take a glance into the orchestra pit to see the spectacular haul of instruments being played including an outrageously loaded drum kit with tour drummer James Wade behind a transparent drum shield. At one point, there are even more musicians who are rolled onto the stage on a low platform adding keyboards, more drums, and seering guitars to the mix.
The music is razor sharp and it's like being in a stadium concert. The design elements are fantastic and set pieces (lots of mirrors) move swiftly and easily in precision.
Take a look at the program and take note: “The writing on the Act II curtain is copied from Michael Jackson’s notes.”
As Michael Jackson, Jordan Markus, who has been with the national tour since January, embodies the character.
Costumed in a white T shirt and an oversized flowing opened button down white shirt, and black pants, Markus speaks in a breezy, breathy banter capturing Jackson’s essence. Vocal inflections are spot on and it’s never an impersonation but a heartfelt true performance.
Markus is surrounded by standout performers including the aforementioned Bowles who plays dual roles as Jackson’s tour director and his father, Joe. He must seamlessly switch characters and does so without missing a beat. Bowles adopts a different walk as Jackson’s father and drops his voice lower. As father Joe, he’s menacing.
Photographer: Matthew Murphy
Anastasia Talley as Katherine Jackson sings "I'll Be There" to Little Michael (Bane Griffith) in "MJ: The Musical." (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
Anastasia Talley as Katherine Jackson, young Michael’s protector, captivates early in Act 1 when she holds her young son after he’s abused by his father. She's the one who sings the Jackson 5 ballad “I’ll Be There.”
Criticisms of this almost perfect show are difficult to find, but one is the insertion of a non-Jackson hit “For the Love of Money.” It's dropped in as dad Joe and the Jackson brothers sing The O’Jays tune to get Michael to sign a tour deal. It’s a good song but surrounded by so many hits Jackson, it seems out of place.
For fans of Michael Jackson, “MJ: The Musical” will be like stepping into a dream. For those who may not be a big fan but like a great big Broadway musical, the show will leave them wanting to know more about the Man in The Mirror.
(Note: Don't be in a rush to dash out as the show comes to an end, there's a really fun jam that closes out the show.)
IF YOU GO
WHAT: "MJ: The Musical" Broadway national tour
WHERE: Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 Southwest 5th Ave., Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Through April 20.
TICKETS: $49 to $159
INFORMATION: www.browardcenter.org
