Video: Watch Elijah Rhea Johnson Perform 'Smooth Criminal' in Broadway's MJ the Musical

Prior to its third Broadway anniversary in February, MJ The Musical, which continues at the Neil Simon Theatre, has released new footage featuring its current star, Elijah Rhea Johnson.

Watch Johnson, who stars in the title role, perform “Smooth Criminal” from the hit musical in the video above.

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.

Detroit native Johnson stepped into the leading role of Michael Jackson in MJ the Musical April 4, 2023, 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, 2023. (Frost made history, 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 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 MJ in the Playbill Vault.