During a tender moment of silence in the second act of “MJ,” a booming Black man’s voice echoed from the back of the Fox Theatre – or perhaps the balcony.
“This [is] a bad [a-word expletive] show,” He said. This reporter’s seat neighbor felt compelled to respond to his outburst. “I don’t know what he’s talking about,” she said. “This show is phenomenal.” She had no clue that she and the heckler were in absolute agreement.
The woman didn’t understand the slang – a staple of Black vernacular that Jackson himself used as the album title and first follow-up to his incomparably successful album “Thriller.” That is the power of Michael Jackson. He was a cultural phenomenon in human form almost from the moment he was introduced to the world as the pint-sized lead singer of The Jackson 5. And people who do not relate or connect on any other terms find common ground through their mutual fandom.
But most striking was the presence of young fans born after Jackson’s untimely passing in 2009. Wearing bedazzled gloves, socks and fedoras with rhinestone encrusted hat bands, some needed booster seats so that their line of sight was not blocked by the backs of other patrons. For them – and many of us – “MJ” is the closest they will come to a live musical experience from the late King of Pop.
Such was the case Wednesday night. All walks of life filled the Fox Theatre for the St. Louis leg of the national tour of the Tony Award-winning musical “MJ.” Of course, there were the fans of a certain age who followed Jackson’s meteoric rise from his days as a child musical sensation. And naturally, the Gen Xers who watched his unprecedented music industry domination in real time with the release of “Thriller” showed up in droves. But most striking was the presence of young fans born after Jackson’s untimely passing in 2009. Wearing bedazzled gloves, socks and fedoras with rhinestone encrusted hat bands, some needed booster seats so that their line of sight was not blocked by the backs of other patrons. For them – and many of us – “MJ” is the closest they will come to a live musical experience from the late King of Pop. And what an experience it was.
The production is a cut above the staged greatest hits playlist/musical biopic mashup format that has become a favorite to present on Broadway and subsequently tour. In all fairness to the other musicals with similar blueprints, “MJ” has the advantage of a subject with unparalleled commercial success and fan devotion. The flipside though is that the musical has the added pressure of expectations that come with the embodiment of a once-in-a-millennium performer. All parties of the “MJ” team understood the assignment. They achieved their intention of a pristine and meticulously crafted vision that is perfectly executed by the robust cast and musicians with stellar production quality to rival a current music star’s global arena tour. And through “MJ” audiences are provided with an enthralling glimpse into Jackson’s process as he prepares to hit the road in support of his latest album “Dangerous” in 1992.
At the time he was the biggest music star on the planet. Unwavering in his determination to bring fans of the sold-out performances that spanned four continents, “MJ” shows Jackson with the hunger and drive of an emerging artist. The root of his relentless work ethic is detailed in the present as well as through his origin story as a small boy with enormous talent who sings and dances his way to superstardom. More than 40 songs that range in length from brief interlude to full-scale musical production drive the journey.
This production requires three performers to embody Michael Jackson. Roman Banks bears the heaviest load as the lead Michael. He is absolutely masterful. Not only does he nail the essence of Jackson’s singing and dancing, but he gives the same attention to detail with Jackson’s speaking voice, mannerisms and body language. Because his voice is naturally a lower register than Jackson, Roman’s take on the opening number “Beat It” makes it unclear at first how close he will come to effectively portraying the King of Pop. However, by the third song it feels as if audiences are watching Jackson himself and not a stage performer giving his best impersonation. He and fellow Michael Brandon Lee Harris are perfectly juxtaposed both in harmony and in stage presence as Harris takes on the young adult Michael from his final years performing in a band with his brothers through his “Thriller” days. And Josiah Benson as Little Michael helps make for quite the trifecta. The entire ensemble of mostly triple threats makes for nonstop energy and gives “MJ” an additional wow factor.
The “Motown 25” inspired performance of “Billie Jean,” “Smooth Criminal” and “Thriller” are among the countless highlights of show-stopping performances that give an even greater appreciation of Jackson both as a performer and contributor to the canon of popular music.
The feat that director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon achieved with “MJ” cannot be overstated. His 2022 Tony Award for “Best Choreography” was well warranted – as was his nomination for “Best Direction of a Musical” that same year for “MJ.” The same can be said for Lynn Nottage, who wrote the musical’s book – and was nominated for a Tony of her own for doing so. The Pulitzer Prize winner brilliantly takes a non-linear approach to “MJ.” Thanks to her method, the musical isn’t front-loaded with Jackson and The Jackson 5’s biggest hits and keeps audiences on their toes when it comes to what they can expect as the show progresses. And while “MJ” doesn’t take a deep dive into the controversies of Jackson’s life and career, Nottage provides more insight into his personal challenges and triggers than one would expect from a musical approved by the late singer’s estate.
The two-and-a-half-hour show is a home run from start to finish. And while the performance was on point, the aesthetics and scenery that are in contrast with the lyrics of “Human Nature,” is about the only creative liberty worth calling into question.
“MJ” will play The Fox Theatre through Sunday, June 9. For tickets and/or additional information, visit www.fabulousfox.com or call 314.534.1111.