Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre (Sydney NSW), from Feb 25, 2025
Book: Lynn Nottage
Director: Christopher Wheeldon
Cast: Roman Banks, William Bonner, Liam Damons, Derrick Davis, Yashith Fernando, Josslynn Hlenti Afoa, Penny McNamee
Images by Daniel Boud
Theatre review
There was a time when Michael Jackson had the world in the palm of his hand, as the unequivocal king of pop. MJ the Musical charts his rise to fame and glory, ending understandably right before it all turned sour; the many accusations of child sexual abuse were never going to make sense in a celebration of the man’s commercial successes. A dark cloud may hover, but the show is nonetheless spectacular.
Jackson made some of the biggest hits anybody had ever known, and having them collated for a musical theatre work was always going to be a thrilling proposition. Writer Lynn Nottage focuses on the period of rehearsals for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour, when he was at the height of his powers, but also includes many nostalgic recollections of earlier key moments in Jackson’s career, including his formative years as a child star.
Although unable to provide honest disclosures about what we now know to be the man’s biggest secrets, Nottage’s book is an enjoyable effort at making all the songs coalesce in a single digestible package. The true star of the show however, is the very translation of Jackson’s music from pop records to the Broadway stage, retaining their immense original appeal without compromising on the soul, rock and electronic elements that often get diluted when recontextualised for the stage musical format. Jackson’s life story may not be very moving, but his music certainly is.
Three extraordinary performers depict the star at different stages of life. Roman Banks is a remarkable leading man, astonishing with his mimicry of Jackson’s signature voice and physicality, during the mature period. The magnetic Liam Damons is a revelation in mid-career segments, vivacious and captivating in his personification of someone with everything to live for. The wunderkind version is played by the incredibly talented William Bonner, who represents perfectly the enchanting magic of one of the world’s greatest entertainers. Also memorable are Josslynn Hlenti Afoa and Derrick Davis as the Jackson parents, both bringing valuable sentimentality to the staging.
An auditory and visual delight, MJ the Musical is a complete sensation. For a couple of hours, we discover that art can be separated from its artist, even when the work is ostensibly entirely about the artist. Whether a person can be forgiven for heinous acts, even after death, will forever be a matter of contention. The good things Michael Jackson left behind are however, irresistible.
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