During their stop in Los Angeles, Roman Banks, Brandon Lee Harris, and Jamaal Fields-Green, who star in the first national tour of MJ: The Musical, paid a visit to Studio D, where the titular artist recorded hit albums like "Thriller."
Banks, the first BIPOC actor to play the title role in Broadway's Dear Evan Hansen, stars as Michael Jackson. Fields-Green is the MJ Alternate, while Harris plays Michael.
See photos of the visit in the gallery below.
Brandon Lee Harris
Jamaal Fields-Green
Jamaal Fields-Green, Roman Banks, and Brandon Lee Harris
Brandon Lee Harris, Roman Banks, and Jamaal Fields-Green
Roman Banks, Brandon Lee Harris, and Jamaal Fields-Green
Roman Banks, Brandon Lee Harris, and Jamaal Fields-Green
Jamaal Fields-Green, Brandon Lee Harris, Roman Banks
Brandon Lee Harris, Roman Banks, and Jamaal Fields-Green
Brandon Lee Harris, Roman Banks, and Jamaal Fields-Green
Roman Banks
Roman Banks
Roman Banks
Jamaal Fields-Green and Roman Banks
The first national tour of MJ the Musical launched August 1, 2023, in Chicago, and is now playing its final week in Los Angeles before heading to San Fransisco, Salt Lake City, and more. See the full touring schedule here.
The cast also features Josiah Benson as Little Michael, Ethan Joseph as Little Michael, Devin Bowles as Joseph Jackson/Rob, Mary Kate Moore as Rachel, J. Daughtry as Berry Gordy/Nick, Josh A. Dawson as Tito Jackson/Quincy Jones, Jaylen Lyndon Hunter as Little Marlon, Matt Loehr as Dave, Da’Von Moody as Alejandro, and Anastasia Talley as Katherine Jackson/Kate.
Ensemble members, swings, and understudies include JoJo Carmichael, Croix DiIenno, Kellie Drobnick, Kyle Dupree, Zuri Noelle Ford, Jahir L. Hipps, Bryson Jacobi Jackson, Rajané Katurah, Jordan Markus, Matteo Marretta, Janayé McAlpine, Jay McKenzie, Kendrick Mitchell, Chelsea Mitchell-Bonsu, Zion Pradier, Ayla Stackhouse, Brion Marquis Watson, Charles P. Way, and Malcolm Miles Young.
MJ began Broadway previews December 6, 2021, at the Neil Simon prior to an official opening February 1, 2022. Detroit native Elijah Rhea Johnson stepped into the leading role of Michael Jackson on Broadway April 4, 2023, succeeding Myles Frost, who won a Tony for his performance.
The musical 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.
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.
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.
MJ is produced on Broadway and tour by Lia Vollack, John Branca, and John McClain.
Read more about the hit musical in the Playbill Vault.
