MJ: The Musical Set for Debut on Broadway

A tribute to the life and works of iconic pop star Michael Jackson is nearing completion, with MJ: The Musical scheduled for its debut appearance on Broadway early next year. The show, which is designed to take audiences behind the scenes into the creative labyrinth of Jackson’s glittering music career, has commenced preview shows this month. The production is slated for a formal opening night on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at the Neil Simon Theater which has been recently renovated.

Myles Frost has been cast to play the King of Pop. Frost, who featured in Season 13 of NBC’s The Voice, will appear on Broadway for the first time in his career – and what a way to do so. The production was written by Lynn Nottage, twice a Pulitzer prize-winner, and has been co-produced by Jackson’s estate in close collaboration with director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon.

All you need to know about MJ: The Musical

Frost is joined on the cast by the likes of Quentin Earl Darrington (playing Joseph Jackson), Antoine L. Smith (playing Berry Gordy), Apollo Levine (playing Quincy Jones), John Edwards (playing Jackie Jackson), and Ayana George (playing Katherine Jackson). Both Christian Wilson and Walter Russell III are set to share the role of Little Michael, with Devin Trey Campbell cast in the role of Little Marlon Jackson.

The on-stage sets for MJ: The Musical have been designed by Derek McLane, with the lighting from Natasha Katz and costuming influenced by Paul Tazewell. The show’s sound design has been overseen by Gareth Owen, with projection design handled by Peter Nigrini. The show also features a soundtrack bursting with legendary MJ tracks that are just as relevant now as they were 25 years ago.

Jackson’s spirit continues to live on in many other forms of the entertainment industry too. Bally’s Corporation’s licensed slot maintains MJ’s legacy on the leading US iGaming sites. Their Michael Jackson: King of Pop slot title features Jacko himself moonwalking onto the reels, while iconic hits such as Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, and Beat It form part of this game’s hugely engaging soundtrack. Bally’s is working hard to improve the exposure of its casino game portfolio and recently acquired Gamesys Group to enhance its long-term potential as an omnichannel iGaming corporation. Its Bally Bet app is currently only available in Colorado and Iowa, which means it’s well behind the eight ball compared with established operators such as BetMGM and DraftKings that are considered to have the best online casino bonuses no deposit – or otherwise. The online casino industry has proven itself to be competitive, to the extent that sites like this curate the available bonuses.

Elsewhere, there is talk of the King of Pop returning to the live stage via electronic hologram, with Jackson then able to perform alongside his family members as part of the iconic Jackson Five once more. Brother Tito, now aged 67, confirmed that negotiations have begun regarding a form of CGI recreation of Jackson which would be staged in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas.

Tito confirmed that if the CGI is right, the Jackson estate would consider releasing new material from the King of Pop. Tito stated there was “more music to release” and that Jackson was “recording all the time” before his untimely passing in 2009 aged 50.

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Tags: Broadway, Derek McLane, iGaming, King of Pop, Michael Jackson, Musical, Myles Frost, Tito Jackson

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Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.