Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
Step into the creative mind of the King of Pop in MJ the Musical. MTV has been given a behind-the-scenes look at Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour —a pivotal moment when the icon prepares to reassert his cultural dominance. As the tour rehearsals unfold, the show delves into the forces that shaped his artistry: childhood stardom, relentless ambition, and the weight of global fame. Through flashbacks and interactions with his team, the musical delves into key moments from his life and career, including his childhood with the Jackson 5 and his rise as a solo artist.
Featuring over 25 of his biggest hits—including “Billie Jean,” “Thriller,” “Beat It,” and “Smooth Criminal”—this electrifying musical blends dazzling choreography, stunning visuals, and a powerful human story of Michael Jackson, the global icon who changed pop music forever.
Show Information
- Book
- Lynn Nottage
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2021
- Genres
- Jukebox/Revue, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- A rehearsal studio, 1992.
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Ideal For
- Diverse Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone, Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Ensemble |
Not Specified |
Mezzo-Soprano, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass-Baritone, Bass |
Songs
ACT ONE
- Beat It - MJ, Company
- Tabloid Junkie/Price of Fame - MJ, Rachel
- Shout/Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag/ (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher - Ensemble
- Climb Ev’ry Mountain - Little Michael
- The Love You Save/ I Want You Back/ABC - Little Michael, Little Marlon, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie
- I’ll Be There - Katherine, Little Michael, MJ
- Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough/Blame It on the Boogie/Dancing Machine - MJ, Michael, Marlon, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie, Company
- Stranger in Moscow - MJ
- You Can’t Win - Berry Gordy, Teenage Michael
- I Can’t Help It - Quincy Jones, Michael
- Keep the Faith - Quincy Jones, Michael
- Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ - Michael, MJ, Ensemble
- Earth Song/They Don’t Care About Us - MJ, Ensemble
ACT TWO
- Billie Jean - MJ
- Smooth Criminal - MJ, Ensemble
- For the Love of Money/Can You Feel It - Joseph Jackson, Michael, Marlon, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie
- Money - Joseph Jackson
- Keep the Faith (Reprise) - Rob, MJ, Ensemble
- She’s Out of My Life - MJ, Michael
- Jam - MJ, Ensemble
- Human Nature - MJ, Rachel
- Bad/2 Bad - MJ, Company
- Price of Fame (Reprise) - MJ
- Thriller - Little Michael, MJ, Joseph Jackson, Ensemble
- Man in the Mirror - Company
- Jam (Reprise)/Black or White/Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Reprise) - Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A genre of drama based on real people’s lives, exploring their challenges, accomplishments, and inner conflicts.
The art of designing and arranging movement sequences for theatrical dance and physical storytelling.
A full performance run-through with costumes, props, lights, and sound, conducted as if it were a live show.
A vocal register that allows singers to reach notes higher than their normal range, used for special effects or characterizations.
A dramatic device that transports the narrative to an earlier time to provide background or context.
A musical that uses previously released popular songs to tell a story, such as *Mamma Mia!* or *Jersey Boys*.
The male head of a family or group, often dramatized in theatre to explore power, legacy, and traditional authority.
The group of individuals responsible for the creative and logistical aspects of a theatre production, including the director, designers, stage manager, and crew leaders.
Videos
Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Emma Houlahan
Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.