Cessy Newmon
The audience is socializing as patrons trickle in. The auditorium lights are on. Then you realize actors are trickling onto the stage. If you’re not watching for them to be starting something, you might not notice. Suddenly, someone comes on and announces, “Five minutes ’til Michael,” and you realize you’re being included as part of the rehearsal coming together onstage.
MJ THE MUSICAL is a biopic on the life of Michael Jackson. It is staged as retrospectives given to an MTV reporter, Rachel (Cecilia Petrush), who has come to rehearsals of MJ’s Dangerous World Tour to do a story on his music. The 69 performances between 6/92-11/93 grossed over $100 million, with the profits benefitting a number of charities. Fifteen years after his death in 2009, his persona and music still draw audiences of all sizes, shapes, and colors, as witnessed by the turnout at The Center for Performing Arts. And even though a biopic, MJ THE MUSICAL is almost as much a concert, telling MJ’s story through his music.
In MJ THE MUSICAL, three actors have the daunting task of portraying the King of Pop at different ages. Erik Hamilton, who usually plays Michael and is the understudy to the two actors who take turns in the lead, stepped into the spotlight in Jacksonville as MJ (the eldest version). His voice and mannerisms are spot on in the role, with the soft-spoken nature that was always such a contrast with MJ’s vocal attack. If you’re looking for the appearance to match (by the time of the Dangerous Tour, MJ had already significantly altered his facial appearance), this is not attempted through makeup in the show.
Backfilling Mr. Hamilton as Michael (teen years) was Charles P. Way, one of three u/s for that role. This young man absolutely commanded the stage in the role. Little Michael (about age 9) was played by Bane Griffith, who is a lot of personality in a young package. He held his own across from the adults playing his parents and brothers in the Jackson 5. With all three of the Michaels, when you’re listing to them, it’s almost like listening to original and some of the sweetest harmonies in the show are when they sing with each other. And Lord, can they move, too!
The ensemble is very strong, and most of them had more than one role, with numerous cameos throughout the show. Devon Bowles is almost a split personality on stage, moving seamlessly between the rehearsal manager role and the role of MJ’s father. Anastasia Tally plays his mother as well as a backup singer. There are too many talented artists to be able to call out each individually.
The set is simple, as most of it is set in a rehearsal venue, hotel rooms, or performance areas. The projections are very transformational, taking the open rehearsal area and then to a TV or concert setting. The musicians outdid themselves, transforming their own styles through the show and almost forcing your heart to beat with the music at one point.
At the end of the show, there is a cast appeal made for donations to MJ’s “Heal the World” Foundation, which continues his legacy of philanthropy and unity.
MJ THE MUSICAL is at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts April 22nd-27th, 2025. Ticket prices and show times vary based on show and seating. For tickets, go to fscjartistseries.org or call (904) 632-5000.
A reminder that the FSCJ Artist Series 25/26 Season has been announced, and what a packed Broadway tour season it is! Kicking it off is CLUE LIVE ONSTAGE. In February comes MRS. DOUBTFIRE, then MOULIN ROUGE! the Musical, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: The Neil Diamond Musical, and ending the season with BEETLE JUICE! Season tickets are already on sale.
by Cessy Newmon
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