MJ The Musical At The Fox Theater Review

– By Cate Marquis –

The recent biographical film about Michael Jackson has brought the performer’s name back into the media but before that film, there was Lynn Nottage’s excellent Broadway musical about Michael Jackson, “MJ the Musical.” While the film has stirred controversy by perhaps creating a more edited version of the star and his personal life, the stage musical puts the focus more on Jackson’s process as a performer and creator, as the star rehearses for an upcoming tour, and shapes the production on stage.

Jordan Markus plays Michael Jackson but when the play starts he is not on stage. Instead, people start to gather as if in any rehearsal space, dancers limbering up, singers warming up, technicians setting up. The stage director, and manager is there as well as various assistants. As a countdown starts, with a cry of “2 minutes to Michael” and so forth, the crew are joined by two more people, a journalist, Rachel (Kristin Stokes) and her cameraman, Alejandro (Kevin Cruz), who are there interview Jackson and members of his team, about the preparations for the upcoming 1992 “Dangerous” world tour, which starts in two days. The journalist has only secured this interview because of a promise that is will focus on his creative process. Cameraman Alejandro is a fan, very excited to meet his idol, but journalist Rachel is ambitious and may try to dig deeper for her magazine piece.

Lynn Nottage’s excellent script takes this showcase for Michael Jackson’s work to a higher level than just series of his famous songs in a jukebox musical. The show alternates between those musical numbers, and interactions between Michael and his manager, the journalist and camera man, and various other characters, including MJ’s accountant who is worried about the growing cost, as the tour’s show takes shape. The interview sections spark memories, which we see in flashback sequences that tell the story of Michael’s intertwined life and career. The countdown to MJ appearing on stage, and the looming deadline to get the tour ready in time create a ticking clock effect that helps drives the musical.

Michael Jackson was so distinctive on stage, that any show about him has to strive to recreate that as closely as possible. As Michael Jackson, Jordan Markus brings all the required talent and electrifying presence needed, delivering spot-on recreations of his singing and dance moves. The show includes most of this biggest hits, including “Billy Jean,” “Bad” and “Thriller,” which gets a special costumes-sets-and-effects production number treatment instead of the more pared-down rehearsal version.

Jordan Markus gives a high-energy, fully convincing performance as Michael Jackson, capturing his speaking voice and manner, as well as his singing style and, of course, dance moves. Michael Jackson’s songs a still hits, catchy and filled with a restless energy, but his dancing had an enormous influence on modern dance, something not always as fully appreciated, perhaps, as it should be. Markus’ dancing is impressive, graceful and flexible, with all the needed energy and thrill to recall the original.

There are flashback sequences to MJ’s childhood, with two young performers playing the young Michael very well, Brandon Lee Harris as teenage Michael and Jackson Robert Vann and Eric Wiltz alternating as little Michael. Interestingly, Devin Bowles plays both Michael’s supportive manager Rob in the show’s rehearsal present, and his hard-driving father Joseph Jackson in the flashbacks, with Bowles sometimes required to quickly change from one character to the other in some scenes. The flashback sequences feature the star’s mother Katherine Jackson (Rajane Katurah), brothers Marlon (Quentin Blanton Jr.) and Tito (Michael Nero), storied producers Berry Gordy (Kendrick Mitchell) and Quincy Jones (Michael Nero again), among others.

This is the second time the touring version of the show has visited the Fox, and the more bare-bones rehearsal structure seems to have been dress up a bit more with production flourishes, particularly in the flashbacks, than the first time.

The first act features “Beat It,” little Michael singing “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “The Love You Save,” “I Want You Back” and “ABC.” and teenage Michael singing “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Blame It on the Boogie.” and “Dancing Machine,” among others. The second act opens with “Billie Jean,” and includes “Human Nature” and “Bad,” with the showstopper being “Thriller,” which gets a full production number treatment with a Halloween/carnival theme. The show wraps up with “Man in the Mirror,” “Black or White,” and the orchestra taking things out with “Working Day and Night>”

All the musical numbers are fantastic, on both singing and dancing. We get that moonwalk and all the famous moves, and a little medley number showing Michael putting together this signature, one-glove, white socks, and tilted hat, with a nod to dance influences like Fred Astaire, which was very fun. and

“MJ the Musical” delivers all that fans could want, sending them out into the night with a smile. “MJ the Musical” is on stage at the Fabulous Fox through May 24, 2026.

© Cate Marquis