The Michael Jackson bio musical MJ the Musical, which opened at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre in February 2022, has recouped its entire initial investment.
Since performances began, the hit musical has played to over 750,000 patrons. Tickets are currently on sale through January 7, 2024.
MJ's national tour will launch in Chicago in August, while the West End premiere is set for March 2024 at London’s Prince Edward Theatre.
The musical, which began previews December 6, 2021, prior to an official opening February 1, 2022, features a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and a score made up of some of the most popular songs in recording history. Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon directs and choreographs.
MJ also has sets by Derek McLane, lighting by Natasha Katz, costumes by Paul Tazewell, sound design by Gareth Owen, projection design by Peter Nigrini, hair and wig design by Charles LaPointe, music direction by Jason Michael Webb, musical supervision by David Holcenberg, and orchestrations by Holcenberg and Webb. Casting is by Rachel Hoffman of The Telsey Office.
Detroit native Elijah Rhea Johnson recently stepped into the leading role on Broadway. The actor, who helped develop the role of Middle Michael throughout the workshop process of MJ, succeeded Myles Frost, who played his final performance April 2. Frost made history last year, becoming the youngest individual actor to win a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. The actor, who also made his Broadway debut with MJ, additionally earned a Theatre World Award for his performance as the late King of Pop.
The show took home four Tony Awards in total, including Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design in a Musical, and Best Sound Design in a Musical.
Read more about the hit musical in the Playbill Vault.
Elijah Rhea Johnson and company of MJ
Elijah Rhea Johnson and company of MJ
Elijah Rhea Johnson and company of MJ
