“MJ the Musical” is onstage in Indy, and it’s a visual treat for Hoosiers.
The Tony Award-winning musical is onstage at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre Jan. 13-18. Directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, “MJ the Musical” is both a biopic and a jukebox musical, shedding light on Jackson’s life, creative influences and personal struggles.
While the story is centered on the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour and an unorthodox MTV interview, moments from his childhood and adolescence are woven alongside Motown memories and
It’s a compelling story. I felt like there were a lot of deep cuts sprinkled alongside well-known facts and personality traits about the chart-topping King of Pop. I also learned quite a bit throughout the show. Personally, I didn’t realize how big a deal that Dangerous tour was — I also wasn’t born yet, so that adds a layer of context, but still.
I think “MJ the Musical” relies heavily on creating compelling visuals through lighting, staging and choreography, and it works really well. This is one of the best dance shows I’ve ever seen, with a variety of elements and techniques woven into the movements — really taking the time to highlight each of Jackson’s influences over the years, including Bob Fosse, the Nicholas Brothers and Fred Astaire in addition to more contemporary artistry.
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The cast is also stacked, which makes a difference.
Little Michael (Bryce A. Holmes) was incredibly energetic and fun to watch onstage, and he really bodied that early Jackson 5 medley with “The Love You Save,” “I Want You Back” and “ABC.” There were a few moments where the lyrics got a little jumbled, but Holmes brought so much energy to the performance alongside Little Marlon (Austin Rankin), Tito (Michael Nero), Jermain (Avilon Trust Take) and Jackie (Treston J. Henderson), that it was easy to overlook.
However, Michael (Brandon Lee Harris), who took on Jackson’s “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “Bad” eras, was like a true breath of fresh air every moment he was on the stage. Vocally, he fit into that sweet, bright spot, and as an audience, we get to see some of Jackson’s signature dance moves and mannerisms develop alongside approximately 5-6 jacket changes.
MJ (Jordan Markus) had just about everything down from the mannerisms to the dancing and vocals — in all it’s a truly remarkable performance. It’s also uncanny (in a good way, I promise), the way Markus’ MJ kind of haunts every memory and flashback like a ghost. The past often bleeds into the present, where MJ and either little Michael or Michael move, sing and dance in tandem. It creates a stunning visual.
This show accomplished a lot of unique things with the lighting, spending less time on creating a mood and more time on visuals. In addition to some cool projections in numbers such as “Blame it on the Boogie,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” and “They Don’t Care About Us,” the show also incorporated bright flashing and strobe lights, smoke and haze for “Thriller” — arguably the most compelling number of the whole show.
I couldn’t help but notice the song “Dangerous” wasn’t included in a musical about the Dangerous World Tour, but otherwise, the range of Jackson’s discography featured is actually impressive and included some deep cuts like “Price of Fame,” “Money,” “Tabloid Junkie” and “Keep the Faith.”
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible band. Conducted by Nathanael Wilkerson, the band joined the cast onstage. It’s music you can and should be able to feel, and that really came through in this show.
It’s intentionally overwhelming, the way some scenes blur together — overlapping vocals and dance numbers with flashing lights, a flourish of moving set pieces and flashy costumes. Then it stops, and it’s quiet; the interview resumes or Devin Boyles morphs from Rob to Joe Jackson and back again in seconds, leaving audiences with a feeling of whiplash.
Looking back, I think we can all see that there was a bit more room for grace for an artist struggling with the ghosts of their past and the desperate need to achieve perfection.
So, yeah, “MJ the Musical” is a bit sad and doesn’t shy away from the ugly. However, the show is also kind of badass and electric and alive. It’s also funny in some subtle ways and in some almost corny ways. It’s another one of those shows where you just have to sit back and enjoy it. You can kind of tell it’s designed for Michael Jackson lovers, and that’s why it works so well.
“MJ the Musical” is on stage at Old National Centre Jan. 13-18. The show is approximately two and a half hours and recommended for audiences aged 6 and up. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit indianapolis.broadway.com/shows/mj-the-musical
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
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