Michael Jackson was an enigma. He was also a pop-music juggernaut who dominated the airwaves. Jackson was the definition of commercial success in the music business, earning the undisputed title of the King of Pop. He eclipsed other artists of his era such as Madonna, Cindi Lauper, and David Bowie on the early ’80s charts.
Now at the National Theatre, MJ is a jukebox musical that plays like a concert. It will have you rocking in your seat. It features phenomenal dancing but is short on story and pathos — though it does touch on the price of fame and how much Black achievement is driven by adversity. The musical book, by Pulitzer- and Obie-winner Lynn Nottage, jumps around in time — it’s not a chronological buildup to Jackson’s later hits from his earlier ones.
Tony-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon made the dance moves unforgettable. Nathanael Wilkerson and Jason Yarcho’s music direction made hits like “ABC,” “Beat It,” ”Human Nature,” and “Smooth Criminal” dazzle.
MJ, which opened on Broadway in 2022, was produced in cooperation with Jackson’s estate. That fact affects the staid storyline, which features a fictional MTV reporter lackadaisicaly interviewing Jackson during rehearsal for his historically large-scale Dangerous World Tour in 1992. The reporter’s questions frame the flashbacks that tell the story.
Jamaal Fields-Green was dynamite as Jackson. From his sly acting to his smooth moonwalking, to his cat-like gliding across the stage, Fields-Green was the pinnacle of perfection.
“The melody is king,” MJ told MTV reporter Rachel, played by Cecilia Petrush. That’s as close as the show got to showing insight into how Jackson could put out albums such as Thriller, which sold 41 million copies and earned eight Grammys.
Fields-Green’s slow, a cappella intro to “Thriller” led into an amazing performance of the song, complete with zombie-mask-wearing dancers. Joe Dulude II’s make-up design was scary. Throughout, Peter Nigrini’s projection design accentuated the mood of the songs.
The supporting cast was marvelous as well. Anastasia Talley as MJ’s mom, Katherine Jackson, sang “I’ll Be There.” Devin Bowles played stern family patriarch Joseph Jackson. The Jackson kids were raised Jehovah’s Witnesses — so no birthdays or Christmas. Abusive Joe told young MJ, “My hand won’t be as hard as the world.” Joe’s perfectionism rubbed off on Michael.
Little Michael and teenaged Michael were wonderfully played by Bane Griffith and Erik Hamilton, respectively. Ramone Nelson did good work as Tito Jackson and legendary music producer Quincy Jones. I liked J. Daughtry’s work as Soul Train host Don Cornelius and Motown founder Berry Gordy. Charles P. Way embodied singer Jackie Wilson and Randy Jackson.
The core of this show was the dancing. The moves were breathtaking. Spins. Turns. Kicks. Struts. Gyrations. They were all there. I liked the play-within-the-play rehearsal warmups, which included everything from leg stretches to pushups. Actors including Kellie Drobnick, Amber Jackson, Zuri Noelle Ford, Matteo Marretta, and Croix Diienno played tour dancers with panache.
David Holcenberg’s music supervision more than did justice to such Jackson hits as “Billie Jean,” “I Can’t Help It,” “Jam,” and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.” The orchestra was phenomenal. Nathanael Wilkerson was on keys, Jimmy Bonaparte-Coggins played drums, Mesia Austin provided percussion, John David Bratton II was on bass, and Lily Guarneros Masse played guitar.
Much credit goes to the orchestration of Jason Michael Webb and the amazing local musicians: Craig Taylor on trumpet 1, Josh Kauffman on trumpet 2, Joe Jackson on trombone, Matt Belzer on reed 1, Ben Bokor on reed 2, Gerry Kunkel on guitar 2, and Cedric Lyles on keyboard 2.
Costume Designer Paul Tazewell excelled in capturing MJ’s essence, whether it was his military-like Dangerous Tour attire or his famous sparkling glove. Scenic Designer Derek McLane put no more and no less than he had to on stage. At the opening curtain, there were the drab, gray, metallic walls of a rehearsal studio. From there, McLane used scenery wagons to evoke other rooms.
The wig and hair design by Charles G. LaPointe left me puzzled. The actors wore 21st-century hairstyles and beards. Wheeldon apparently made the choice to not have the actors look too much like the people they were portraying. (Joe Jackson with a beard?)
Makeup Designer Joe Dulude II recreated MJ’s unusually light complexion. (Jackson reportedly suffered from the skin condition vitiligo.)
You’ll leave this show feeling like you attended a concert. It’s a night of hit after hit that can be enjoyed by all ages.
Running Time: Approximately two hours and 40 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.
MJ plays through September 8, 2024, at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington. Tickets ($69–$209) are available online or at the box office.
MJ is recommended for ages 8 and up.
Enter the Digital Lottery for a chance to purchase $39 tickets. Learn more here.
The cast and creative credits for the touring production are here.
COVID Safety: Masks are strongly recommended but not required for all ticket holders. For full COVID protocol, go here.
MJ
Book by Lynn Nottage
CAST
MJ: Jamall Fields-Green
Rob, Joseph Jackson: Devin Bowles
Rachel: Cecilia Petrush
Michael: Erik Hamilton
Little Michael: Bane Griffith
Little Marlon: Bryce A. Holmes
Tito Jackson, Quincy Jones: Ramone Nelson
Kate, Katherine Jackson: Anastasia Talley
Alejandro: Anthony J. Garcia
Nick, Berry Gordy, Don Cornelius, Doctor: J. Daughtry
Dave: Jed Resnick
Tour Dancer, Randy Jackson, Jackie Wilson (dancer): Charles P. Way
Tour Singer, Jackie Jackson, James Brown (vocal): Jay McKenzie
Tour Dancer, Soul Train Dancer: Kellie Drobnick
Tour Dancer, Suzanne de Passe, Isley Brother (dancer): Amber Jackson
Tour Dancer, Isley Brother (dancer), Nicholas Brother: Zuri Noelle Ford
Tour Dancer, Fred Astaire: Matteo Marretta
Tour Dancer, Bob Fosse, Newscaster: Croix Diienno
Keith, Jermaine Jackson, Isley Brother (dancer): Jacobi Kai
Tour Dancer, Marlon Jackson, James Brown, Nicholas Brother: Brion Marquis Watson
Swings: Jojo Carmichael, Joshua Dawson, Ui-Seng Francois, Jahir L. Hipps, Faith Jones, Rajane Katurah, Kendrick Mitchell, Zion Mikhail Pradier, Charles P. Way
ARTISTIC AND CREATIVE TEAM
Director/Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon
Music Direction: Nathanael Wilkerson
Music Supervision/Orchestration/Arrangements: David Holcenberg
Projection Design: Peter Nigrini
Orchestration/Arrangements: Jason Michael Webb
Dance Captain: Jojo Carmichael
Assistant Dance and Fight Captain: Croix Diienno
Costume Designer: Paul Tazewell
Make-Up Design: Joe Dulude II
Wig & Hair Design: Charles G. LaPointe
Sound Design: Gareth Owen
Scenic Design: Derek McLane
