There is no doubt Michael Jackson was one of the greatest entertainers of all time. And now, his unique and unparalleled artistry is being showcased onstage at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in MJ, the multi-Tony Award- winning new musical centered around the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. Created by Tony Award-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJgoes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status as “The King of Pop.”
Leading the cast as MJ is the dynamic performer Roman Banks who successfully captures the essence of the real Michael Jackson in terms of both physicality and vocals, earning his every moment in the spotlight as the star of the show. Brandon Lee Harris and Josiah Benson both do a great job of portraying Middle Michael and Little Michael, respectively, while performing with the Jackson Five in flashbacks as MJ is interviewed by Rachel (Mary Kate Moore) during final rehearsals in Los Angeles for his Dangerous Tour. She is thrilled to find out more about the real man behind the music, or at least as much as Michael is willing to share, and the musical’s storyline evolves from the questions she asks.
Anastasia Talley brings Michael’s mom and greatest supporter, Katherine Jackson, into focus as the true anchor in his young life. She has her hands full given how Michael’s father Joseph (Devin Bowles) was a monster, physically and mentally abusing his kids and working them to the bone. It’s obvious money runs his life much more than being a supportive father of his talented sons. Written to paint MJ as a victim of his father’s upbringing and to justify any troublesome things MJ did both onstage and off as his fame grew, MJ is portrayed as a child protégé who became a true diva and a debt-inducing perfectionist addicted to pills to keep him going.
When Rachel asks him about the acts who inspired his singing and dancing, we are treated to outstanding portrayals of entertainers Jackie Wilson, James Brown, the Isley Brothers, the Nicholas Brothers, Fred Astaire, and Bob Fosse. And as MJ, Roman Banks brilliantly performs with each of his mentors, making it easy to see how Michael developed his unique style by borrowing from all these talented men. Special kudos to the ensemble members who perform a Fosse style number during which MJ demonstrates Fosse’s talent for hat choreography.
Backed by a rocking band of four onstage musicians, the super-talented ensemble of 15 singers and dancers add energetic excitement to every number, often taking on many supporting roles. Several of note include Josh A. Dawson (Tito Jackson, Quincy Jones), J. Daughtry (Berry Gordy, Don Cornelius, and the pill-prescribing doctor), Malcolm Miles Young (Randy Jackson, Jackie Wilson), Jay McKenzie (Jackie Jackson, James Brown), Matteo Marrietta (Fred Astaire), Croix Diienno (Bob Fosse), Jacobi Kai (Jermaine Jackson), and Brion Marquis Watson (Marlon Jackson) who also shares the stage with Chelsea Mitchell-Bonsu as the Nicholas Brothers.
Outstanding technical wizardry abounds thanks to scenic design by Derek McLane, show-stopping lighting design by Natasha Katz, costume design by Paul Tazewell, sound design by Gareth Owen, and projection design by Peter Nigrini. Please note the production includes theatrical haze and fog as well as a significant strobing effects.
Ultimately MJ succeeds as a larger-than-life musical about a larger-than-life star whose stage persona was magical beyond compare. It did surprise me that the production never mentions the unsavory legal battles that tarnished his career, or his wives and children. Then again, this is a celebration of his stage talent featuring 40 songs, including his hits “Billie Jean,” “Black or White,” “Dancing Machine,” “Ease on Down the Road,” “Human Nature,” “I’ll Be There,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Rock with You,” and the show-stopping “Thriller,” not an investigation into his very secretive personal life.
MJ performances continue through January 28 (dark Mondays only) at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles 90028. Run time is 2 hours 30 minutes with an intermission. Tickets are available online at https://www.broadwayinhollywood.com/events/detail/mj. For national tour dates, visit https://mjthemusical.com/. This production is recommended for ages 8 and up, and all persons entering the theatre, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Please note children under 5 will not be admitted into the theatre.
Broadway in Hollywood is holding a digital lottery for MJ, offering a limited number of tickets for every performance at $39 each. Each winning entrant may purchase up to 2 tickets, and must be 18 years or older and have a valid, non-expired photo ID that matches the name used to enter. Lottery ticket winners will be notified via email, and non-transferable tickets may be picked up at will call beginning 2 hours prior to the performance. Enter at www.BroadwayInHollywood.com/Lottery.
Dog Man: The Musical with book and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila and music by Brad Alexander, with original direction and choreography by Jen Wineman, is a hilarious and heartwarming production following the chronicles of comic book hero Dog Man who, with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. But while trying his best to be a good boy, can he save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings? Can he catch Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to exact revenge on the doggy do-gooder?
It all begins in a treehouse where best buds George and Harold have been creating comics for years. And now that they’re in 5th grade, they figure it’s time to level up and write a musical based on their favorite character, Dog Man, the crime-biting sensation loved everywhere, except by the bad guys! But will George and Harold finish their show before they must go back to class? Find out in this epic family musical adventure featuring the hilarity and heart of beloved characters from Dav Pilkey, the creator of “Captain Underpants” and “Cat Kid Comic Club.”
The fun-loving and enthusiastic cast includes Marcus Phillips (George), Max Torrez (Harold), Bryan Daniel Porter (Petey), Brian Owen (Dog Man), Chadaé Nichol (Flippy), and L.R. Davidson (Li’l Petey). Each performer creates the perfect atmosphere in which to introduce children to the wonders of live theatre and its characters, while parents will enjoy watching their children’s imaginations come alive from moment-to-moment.
Colorful scenic design by Timothy R. Mackabee, costume design by Heidi Leigh Hanson, lighting design by David Lander, and sound design by Emma Wilk lift the TheaterWorksUSA production beyond the usual children’s show taking place outdoors in summer, making this production a very great way to introduce young ones to the wonders of live theatre. And I hope the experience encourages children to do the most radical thing – pick up a book and read (there are 60 million copies of his Dog Man series in print in 45 languages) all about the larger-than-life characters they were introduced to during Dog Man: The Musical.
Performances continue through January 7 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., in Culver City 90232. Tickets priced from $35 are available through CenterTheatreGroup.org, Audience Services at (213) 972-4400, or in person at the Center Theatre Group Box Offices (at the Ahmanson Theatre) at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012 or at the Kirk Douglas Theatre (open two hours prior to curtain) at 9820 Washington Blvd. in Culver City 90232. Run time is 90 minutes with one ten-minute intermission. Center Theatre Group offers several services to accommodate persons requiring mobility, vision, and hearing access. For more information, please visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/Access.