Matte Martinez will assume the title role in Broadway’s MJ The Musical beginning September 2 at the Neil Simon Theatre.
Martinez, who made his Broadway debut in the hit musical in October 2023 and is currently the standby for the lead role, will succeed Elijah Rhea Johnson, who will play his final performance August 31.
Martinez started performing on tour across the country at age 10 with the kids group Kidz Bop. He co-wrote a song for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and has appeared on The Good Doctor and Saturdays.
“Matte gives audiences a dazzling portrayal of MJ," director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon in a statement. “We are excited for him to step in to the part full time and lead the show forward with his exceptional performance.”
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 Wheeldon directs and choreographs.
Detroit native Johnson stepped into the leading role of Michael Jackson in MJ the Musical April 4, 2023, marking his own Broadway debut. Johnson, who helped develop the role of Middle Michael throughout the workshop process of MJ, succeeded Myles Frost. (Frost made history in 2022, becoming the youngest individual actor to win a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical.)
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 in total, including Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design in a Musical, and Best Sound Design 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 Sydney’s Lyric Theatre features Roman Banks in the title role.
Visit MJtheMusical.com. See photos from a recent performance of MJ when professional football player (and self-professed fan of Broadway) Solomon Thomas made a cameo.
Solomon Thomas
Solomon Thomas
Solomon Thomas
Solomon Thomas
Solomon Thomas and company members of MJ The Musical
Solomon Thomas
Solomon Thomas
Solomon Thomas
Solomon Thomas in MJ The Musical
Solomon Thomas and company of MJ The Musical
Solomon Thomas and company in MJ The Musical
Joey Sorge and Solomon Thomas in MJ The Musical
Solomon Thomas and company of MJ The Musical
Solomon Thomas and company of MJ The Musical
