MJ the Musical
MJ the Musical is a jukebox musical based on the life of the American entertainer Michael Jackson. It features Jackson's music with a book by Lynn Nottage, and choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.
| 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 |
MJ was scheduled to premiere on Broadway in mid-2020, but this was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2019, Ephraim Sykes was cast as Jackson, but in June 2021 it was announced that he had been replaced by Myles Frost.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 opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on February 1, 2022, with previews beginning in December 6. In April 2023, Frost was replaced by Elijah Johnson.
MJ received mixed reviews, but has been a success at the box office. 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 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. By January 2024, the Broadway musical production had grossed $170.9 million, with an attendance of over 1.1 million.