Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (musical)
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''MJ the Musical'', also referred to as simply ''MJ'', is a jukebox musical featuring the music of Michael Jackson with a book by
Lynn Nottage Lynn Nottage (born November 2, 1964) is an American playwright whose work often focuses on the experience of working-class people, particularly working-class people who are Black. She has received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice: in 2009 for he ...
. It tells the story of American singer, songwriter, and dancer Michael Jackson. ''MJ'' was originally scheduled to premiere on Broadway in mid-2020, with direction and choreography by
Christopher Wheeldon Christopher Peter Wheeldon OBE (born 22 March 1973) is an English international choreographer of contemporary ballet. Life and career Born in Yeovil, Somerset, to an engineer and a physical therapist, Wheeldon began training to be a ballet dan ...
. Initial plans to open were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 21, 2019,
Ephraim Sykes Ephraim Manessah Sykes (born July 17, 1985 in St. Petersburg, Florida) is an American actor and singer. Sykes played the role of George Eacker in the Broadway musical ''Hamilton''. In December 2016, he played Seaweed J. Stubbs in NBC's live prod ...
was cast as Michael Jackson, but in June 2021 it was announced that the role would be played by Myles Frost. The production opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on February 1, 2022, with previews beginning December 6, 2021. From its opening, ''MJ'' received mixed reviews, but has been a success at the
box office A box office or ticket office is a place where ticket (admission), tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through a hole in a wall or window, or at a Wicket gate, wicke ...
. ''MJ'' was nominated for 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, with the musical winning four awards, including Best Actor in a Musical for Myles Frost in the title role, as well as
Best Choreography The MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography is a craft award given to the artist, the artist's manager, and choreographer of the music video. From 1984 to 2007, the full name of the award was Best Choreography in a Video. The biggest winner ...
, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design. The original cast recording has also been nominated for Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. By November 2022, the musical had grossed $79.9 million, with an attendance of 556,000.


Synopsis

Telling the story of Michael Jackson's life, ''MJ'' features over 25 of Michael Jackson's biggest hits. "The show takes audiences behind the scenes as Michael prepares for the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, providing an in-depth look at his process. As Michael and his collaborators rehearse their epic setlist, we are transported to pivotal creative moments from his career."


Act I

The show starts with the cast members preparing for rehearsals for the upcoming Dangerous World Tour, during which the first show is in two days. Rob, their manager then tells them to get into their places and warm up. Michael Jackson makes his grand entrance and watches the process, which leads to an epic opening number. ("
Beat It "Beat It" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson from his sixth studio album, '' Thriller'' (1982). It was written by Jackson and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. Jones encouraged Jackson to include a rock song on the album. Jackson l ...
") As MJ shares his new ideas with Rob, a woman called Rachel enters with her cameraman, Alejandro, in hopes of getting an in-depth interview with MJ (who hadn't been interviewed in 14 years). MJ sits with Rachel and recounts some of the terrors he suffered as a child and some of the memorable times when Berry Gordy played their hits on his Motown label. As the interview carries on, MJ shares his collaboration with Quincy Jones, recording ''
Off the Wall ''Off the Wall'' is the fifth studio album by American singer Michael Jackson, released on August 10, 1979, by Epic Records. It was Jackson's first album released through Epic Records, the label he recorded under until his death in 2009, and t ...
'', ''
Thriller Thriller may refer to: * Thriller (genre), a broad genre of literature, film and television ** Thriller film, a film genre under the general thriller genre Comics * ''Thriller'' (DC Comics), a comic book series published 1983–84 by DC Comics i ...
'', and ''
Bad Bad or BAD may refer to: Common meanings *Evil, the opposite of moral good * Erroneous, inaccurate or incorrect * Unhealthy, or counter to well-being * Antagonist, the threat or obstacle of moral good Acronyms * BAD-2, a Soviet armored troll ...
'' together, and how ''Thriller'' remained No.1 in the charts for over a year. After Rachel and Alejandro leave, Rob and Nick escort MJ to a press-conference downtown, where he presents his tour and hopes to raise funds for his Heal the World Foundation by Christmas 1993.


Act II

Act II starts with MJ sharing his new ideas for the tour ( Billie Jean/ Smooth Criminal) which Rob and Dave tell him are impossible and that he can bankrupt himself. He starts to recount a horrific accident when a spark ignited his hair in the making of an advert for Pepsi-Co. After listening to Rob go on and on with negativity, he reminds him of what Quincy Jones said to him, "Keep the faith. Don't let nobody take you down". As the rehearsal carries on, MJ tells Rachel how the songs open up to him. However, during a break, commotion starts breaking out. Rob tries to keep Rachel away from MJ and doesn't want her near him. However, MJ manages to find her by disguising himself as a cleaner and explains to her how it is the only way he can go in public which leads to him singing Human Nature. After the rehearsal, MJ explains to Rachel how emotional he feels about being the King of Pop, being loved by millions of fans, and being teased in the newspapers. He tries to have it both ways by trying to blame everything sad and weird about himself on others (especially the press, who are equated with the zombies in (
Thriller Thriller may refer to: * Thriller (genre), a broad genre of literature, film and television ** Thriller film, a film genre under the general thriller genre Comics * ''Thriller'' (DC Comics), a comic book series published 1983–84 by DC Comics i ...
) but credit him alone for his every good deed and success. As Rob comes to check up on him, MJ recounts when he did
the Apollo The Apollo Theater is a music hall at 253 West 125th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard (Seventh Avenue) and Frederick Douglass Boulevard (Eighth Avenue) in the Harlem neighborhood of Upper Manhattan in New York City. It is a not ...
with the Jackson 5 and how he wasn't nervous. Rob tries to tell MJ how everything they created can be remembered for decades but he only replies by asking "Is It Perfect" which starts the penultimate number
Man In the Mirror "Man in the Mirror" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson. It was written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. It was released on February 6, 1988, as the fourth single from Jackson' ...
. The show ends with MJ appearing in the middle of the stage ready to start their first show of the newly created Dangerous World Tour.


Roles and principal casts


Original production casts


Musical numbers

;Act I *"
Beat It "Beat It" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson from his sixth studio album, '' Thriller'' (1982). It was written by Jackson and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. Jones encouraged Jackson to include a rock song on the album. Jackson l ...
" - MJ, Company, and Orchestra *"
Tabloid Junkie "Tabloid Junkie" is a song performed by American recording artist Michael Jackson. The song appeared as the eleventh track on Jackson's ninth studio album, '' HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I'', which was released in 1995 as a two-disc ...
" / "Price of Fame" - MJ and Rachel *" Shout" / " Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" / "
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" is an R&B song written by Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner, and Carl Smith. It was recorded by Jackie Wilson for his album '' Higher and Higher'' (1967), produced by Carl Davis, and became a Top 10 ...
" - Ensemble *"
Climb Ev'ry Mountain "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" is a show tune from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical ''The Sound of Music.'' It is sung at the close of the first act by the Mother Abbess. It is themed as an inspirational piece, to encourage people to take every s ...
" - Little Michael *" The Love You Save" / " I Want You Back" / "
ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...
" - 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 "Dancing Machine" is a song recorded by American R&B outfit the Jackson 5, and was the title track of their ninth studio album. The song was originally recorded for the group's 1973 album '' G.I.T.: Get It Together'' and was released as a remix ...
" - MJ, Middle Michael, Marlon, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Company *"
Stranger in Moscow "Stranger in Moscow" is a song by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson from his ninth studio album, ''HIStory'' (1995). The song was released as the sixth and final single worldwide on November 4, 1996 by Epic Records. It was not released ...
" - MJ *" You Can't Win" - Berry Gordy and Middle Michael *"I Can't Help It" - Quincy Jones and Middle Michael *"Keep the Faith" - Quincy Jones and Middle Michael *"
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson recorded for his sixth studio album '' Thriller'' (1982). It is the opening track of the album and was released as its fourth single on May 8, 1983, by Epic Records. It was ...
" - Quincy Jones, Middle Michael, MJ, and Ensemble *" Earth Song" / "
They Don't Care About Us "They Don't Care About Us" is a song by American singer and songwriter Michael Jackson, released in April 16, 1996 as the fifth single from his ninth album, '' HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I'' (1995). It is a protest song and remains on ...
" - MJ and Ensemble ;Act II *" Billie Jean" - MJ *" Smooth Criminal" - MJ and Ensemble *" For the Love of Money" / "
Can You Feel It Can You Feel It may refer to: Albums * ''Can You Feel It'' by Angel, 1989 * ''Can You Feel It?'' (EP) by Highlight, 2017 *''Can You Feel It'', a 1972 album by S.O.U.L. *''Can You Feel It'', a 1973 album by Lighthouse Songs * "Can You Feel It" (Th ...
" - Joseph Jackson, Middle Michael, Marlon, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Orchestra *"Money" - Joseph Jackson *"Keep the Faith (Reprise)" - Rob, MJ, and Ensemble *" She's Out of My Life" - MJ and Middle Michael *"
Jam Jam is a type of fruit preserve. Jam or Jammed may also refer to: Other common meanings * A firearm malfunction * Block signals ** Radio jamming ** Radar jamming and deception ** Mobile phone jammer ** Echolocation jamming Arts and entertai ...
" - MJ, Ensemble, and Orchestra *" Human Nature" - MJ and Rachel *"
Bad Bad or BAD may refer to: Common meanings *Evil, the opposite of moral good * Erroneous, inaccurate or incorrect * Unhealthy, or counter to well-being * Antagonist, the threat or obstacle of moral good Acronyms * BAD-2, a Soviet armored troll ...
" / " 2 Bad" - MJ, Company and Orchestra *"Price of Fame (Reprise)" - MJ *"
Thriller Thriller may refer to: * Thriller (genre), a broad genre of literature, film and television ** Thriller film, a film genre under the general thriller genre Comics * ''Thriller'' (DC Comics), a comic book series published 1983–84 by DC Comics i ...
" - Little Michael, MJ, Joseph Jackson and Ensemble *"
Man in the Mirror "Man in the Mirror" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson. It was written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. It was released on February 6, 1988, as the fourth single from Jackson' ...
" - Company *"Jam (Reprise)" / " Black or White" / "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (Reprise)" - Company *"
Working Day and Night "Working Day and Night" is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It is the third track from his fifth studio album, ''Off the Wall (album), Off the Wall'' (1979). The song was written and produced by Jackson. Despite not being relea ...
" - Orchestra


Recordings

Recording for the original Broadway cast album took place on February 7 and 8, 2022. The original Broadway cast recording was released on July 15, 2022. The original cast recording is nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.


Productions


Broadway (2021–present)

''MJ'' was set to premiere its pre-Broadway run in Chicago, US on October 29, 2019, at the Nederlander Theatre. The run would continue through December 1. The Michael Jackson estate decided to cancel the planned Chicago tryout, ostensibly due to "scheduling difficulties" brought about by an Actors' Equity Association strike. Actors Equity wasn't shouldering the blame for the cancellation, stating "It is difficult to understand how a modest delay in February would impact a run that was scheduled for late October." The musical was expected to debut on Broadway in the summer of 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the production was postponed to 2021. The production is directed and choreographed by
Christopher Wheeldon Christopher Peter Wheeldon OBE (born 22 March 1973) is an English international choreographer of contemporary ballet. Life and career Born in Yeovil, Somerset, to an engineer and a physical therapist, Wheeldon began training to be a ballet dan ...
, and it features a book by two-time
Pulitzer Prize The Pulitzer Prize () is an award for achievements in newspaper, magazine, online journalism, literature, and musical composition within the United States. It was established in 1917 by provisions in the will of Joseph Pulitzer, who had made h ...
winner
Lynn Nottage Lynn Nottage (born November 2, 1964) is an American playwright whose work often focuses on the experience of working-class people, particularly working-class people who are Black. She has received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice: in 2009 for he ...
. Scenery for the production is designed by Derek McLane with costuming by Paul Tazewell. Natasha Katz and
Peter Nigrini Peter Nigrini is an American projection designer live theater. His best-known designs include Dear Evan Hansen, Fela!, and Here Lies Love. He also works occasionally as a scenic and lighting designer, most notably his longstanding collaborati ...
are collaborating on lighting and projection designs respectively. Gareth Owen designed sound production, with hair and wig design by Charles LaPointe. The musical was first announced in June 2018. Wheeldon spoke about the musical, stating, "The show is very much anchored in one particular moment in time. – I always bring up the fabulous movie that
Spielberg Steven Allan Spielberg (; born December 18, 1946) is an American director, writer, and producer. A major figure of the New Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster, he is the most commercially successful director of all time. Spie ...
made about Lincoln: You take one key moment, I suppose, in the history of someone's life and then sort of use that as an anchor point for past storytelling and, perhaps, some kind of prophecy of what's to come. We'll be doing that with this story." Asked about the dance and choreography, he said he "intend to put quite a lot of Michael's work in the show". The musical is a collaboration between The
Michael Jackson Estate The Estate of Michael Jackson is a legal entity established following the death of American singer Michael Jackson for the purpose of administering the property of Jackson, and overseeing the latter's posthumous income. The last will of Jackson was ...
and Columbia Live Stage.


North American touring productions (2023)

It was announced on March 21, 2022, that the show will kick off its national tour at the Nederlander Theatre, running from July 15 through September 10, 2023, with additional tour dates and casting for the tour to be announced at a later date.


West End (2024)

It was announced on October 17, 2022, that the show will come to West End of London at the Prince Edward Theatre in March, 2024, with casting to be announced at a later date.


Box office and business

''MJ'' has been very successful at the box office, averaging over a million dollars each week on Broadway. Following the Tonys, the show's weekly gross jumped to $1,661,000 with sold-out shows every day and advance sales booming. It was the biggest box office jump that week on Broadway and a new high for the show. By September 4, 2022, it broke the Neil Simon theater's box office record 5 times with a total cumulative gross of $49.4 million. As of January 2023, ''MJ the Musical'' grossed around $79.9 million with 556,149 attendance and 381 performance.


Public reception

The show has attracted numerous celebrities such as
Pierce Brosnan Pierce Brendan Brosnan (; born 16 May 1953) is an Irish actor and film producer. He is best known as the fifth actor to play secret agent James Bond in the Bond film series, starring in four films from 1995 to 2002 (''GoldenEye'', ''Tomorrow ...
,
Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris ( Judkins; May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, who is credited as a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of genres that include rhythm and blues, Pop musi ...
,
Paula Abdul Paula Julie Abdul (born June 19, 1962) is an American singer, dancer, choreographer, actress, and television personality. She began her career as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers at the age of 18 and later became the head choreograph ...
,
Lindsay Lohan Lindsay Dee Lohan ( ; born July 2, 1986) is an American actress and singer. Born in New York City and raised on Long Island, Lohan was signed to Ford Models at the age of three. Having appeared as a regular on the television soap opera '' An ...
,
Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and founder of Manhattan-based conglomerate talent and entertainment agency Roc Nation. He is regarded as one of ...
, Beyoncé Knowles,
Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone (; ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Widely dubbed the " Queen of Pop", Madonna has been noted for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, songwriting, a ...
, Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey and the cast of ''
Stranger Things ''Stranger Things'' is an American science fiction horror drama television series created by the Duffer Brothers, who also serve as showrunners and are executive producers along with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen. Produced by Monkey Massacre Prod ...
''. Madonna would go on and say that the show made her cry, calling the performance "extraordinary"


Critical response

''MJ'' has divided critics, with the show receiving mixed to negative reviews. Charles Isherwood of ''Broadway News'' criticized Lynn Nottage's book, in particular, writing, "where ''MJ'' loses its fleet footing is in the bland, exposition-heavy and often trite dialogue supplied by Nottage...Clichés, preachy speeches, and baldly obvious dialogue abound." Adam Feldman of ''
Time Out Time-out, Time Out, or timeout may refer to: Time * Time-out (sport), in various sports, a break in play, called by a team * Television timeout, a break in sporting action so that a commercial break may be taken * Timeout (computing), an enginee ...
'' wrote, "'Listen to my music,' says Michael to his interviewer. 'It answers any questions you might have.' Does it? I left the theater entertained, but not convinced I had seen the man in the smoke and mirrors." Critic Maya Phillips of '' The New York Times'' wrote, "The musical is inherently hollow; the opacity of Michael Jackson and his life of traumas and controversies make it difficult to find material compelling and cohesive enough to tell a story onstage". Positive attention for the show includes '' Deadline'' reporter Greg Evans who said it was "visually & sonically ravishing!", while the '' Chicago Tribune'' called the show's scenery gorgeous and the show "beautiful to experience throughout, which one almost never can say about jukebox musicals". Peter Marks of '' The Washington Post'' also praised the show and the cast, especially the "utterly persuasive" Myles Frost, and called ''MJ'' "a riveting, adrenaline rush of a show". Linda Armstrong of ''
Amsterdam News The ''Amsterdam News'' (also known as ''New York Amsterdam News'') is a weekly Black-owned newspaper serving New York City. It is one of the oldest newspapers geared toward African Americans in the United States and has published columns by s ...
'' called the production "spectacular", "stunning" and "off-the-charts". Joe Westerfield of '' Newsweek'' said, "In many ways ''MJ'' is a living, breathing, even breathless, music video, but with that touch of inspiration, drive and art that only Michael Jackson can provide." Blogs have been favorable to the show. Ayanna Prescod of the ''New York Theatre Guide'' gave the musical a perfect score and called it "a flawless production". Patrick Christiano of ''Theater Life'' called it a "thrilling tribute of - the greatest entertainer of all time" and said "If audience reaction is any indication ''MJ'' is a hit worthy of The King of Pop’s impeccable standards". Brittany Crowell of ''The Front Row Center'' also almost gave it a near perfect score, stating that the show is "full of skill, craft and true entertainment".


Awards and nominations


Original Broadway productions


See also

* '' Motown: The Musical'', a 2013 musical about
Motown Motown Records is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. It was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on June 7, 1958, and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau of ''moto ...
record label


References


External links

* {{Michael Jackson 2021 musicals Biographical musicals Broadway musicals Jukebox musicals Cultural depictions of Michael Jackson Musicals inspired by real-life events Tony Award-winning musicals