Broadway's MJ the Musical will kick off its holiday season November 28 with post-show performances of the Jackson 5’s rendition of the Christmas classic "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," following both the matinee and evening show at the Neil Simon Theatre.
The upcoming performances follow the show’s single release of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" with Sony Music Entertainment in 2023. Since the release, the cast has performed the song on NBC’s Today as well as on last year’s NBC Motown Christmas special. The November 28 performances will mark the first time the song has been performed live on stage at the Neil Simon. To listen to the single, click here. To watch the music video, click here.
Originally composed by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, this new version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" was arranged by original MJ cast member John Edwards, produced by MJ music supervisor David Holcenberg, and engineered by Ian Kagey. The track was recorded at Power Station studios in New York City, and features vocals from cast members Tavon Olds-Sample, Max Chambers, Jace Bently, Blu, Nick T. Daly, Edwards, Michael Harmon, Matthew Frederick Harris, and Zelig Williams.
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Since beginning performances in December 2021, MJ has played to over two million patrons on Broadway and over five million patrons globally. The production has broken the box office record 11 times at the Neil Simon Theatre, where the production currently stars Matte Martinez in the title role.
MJ, 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.
The musical 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 and Lindsay Levine of The Telsey Office.
The show took home four 2022 Tony Awards, including Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design in a Musical, Best Sound Design in a Musical, and for original star Myles Frost, who made history as the youngest individual actor to win a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical.
The North American tour of MJ stars Jordan Markus. The West End production, at London’s Prince Edward Theatre, stars Jamaal Fields-Green, the German production at Hamburg’s Stage Theater is led by Benét Monteiro, and the Australian production at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre stars Ilario Grant. MJ will embark on international Asian and UK tours in 2027.
Matte Martinez in MJ
Matte Martinez in MJ
Matte Martinez in MJ
Matte Martinez and company of MJ
Matte Martinez and company of MJ
Matte Martinez and company of MJ
Matte Martinez and company of MJ
Company of MJ
Matte Martinez and Bailey McCall in MJ
Company of MJ
Company of MJ
Company of MJ
Apollo Levine and Matte Martinez in MJ
Christopher Sean Cooper and Sasha Allen in MJ
