Go Backstage at Broadway's MJ the Musical in These Exclusive Photos | Playbill

Photo Features Go Backstage at Broadway's MJ the Musical in These Exclusive Photos

Elijah Rhea Johnson currently stars in the title role at the Neil Simon Theatre.

Elijah Rhea Johnson backstage at MJ the Musical Jenny Anderson

Detroit native Elijah Rhea Johnson stepped into the leading role of Michael Jackson in MJ the Musical April 4 at the Neil Simon Theatre, marking his Broadway debut.

Johnson, 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.)

Go backstage of the hit musical with Johnson and other MJ company members in the exclusive photos below:

Check Out Exclusive Photos From Backstage at MJ the Musical

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 of The Telsey Office.

The show took home four 2022 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.

 
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