This is the perfect set up to bring in all of the personal and musical history of the King of Pop and also to perform all the songs that Michael Jackson is known and loved for from his youth as the lead singer of the Jackson 5 to his superstar solo career. Michael begins to tell his story to the MTV crew which consists of Rachel and her cameraman Alejandro.
A crew from MTV is there to film the process of them getting ready for the tour, an idea that the superstar is not comfortable with at first because he’s been the target of the press so often, but he agrees to do, just so they focus on the music.
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When Michael comes on stage he and the dancers go right into “Beat It!” Following the number Michael tells the musicians how to make the music stronger, with more of an edge and you see his creative mind at work. There is a feeling of energy in the air and a cameraman is videotaping it all. Before the musical official starts you see musicians and dancers come onto the stage and warm up with exercises and practice moves. The musical takes you to 1992 and a rehearsal studio in Los Angeles where Michael and his backup singers and dancers are preparing for the Dangerous Tour. The audience sees the strong family dynamic that played a large role in Michael’s life, first as a member of the Jackson 5, then his wanting to have a solo career and later going back and committing to a reunion tour to assist his family. He also styled himself after his singing idols like James Brown and Jackie Wilson. “I learned how to break down rhythms like a science” the character explains. But Nottage also shows the side of Michael that loved to perform, and you see him as someone who was like a sponge soaking up the styles of a variety of legendary dancers including the Nicholas Brothers, the Isley Brothers, Fred Astaire, and Bob Fosse. Michael was constantly told he wasn’t good enough.
Joe Jackson always drilled into his children that they had to work hard and be better than anyone else if they were going to make it. Nottage gives us his many layers, from his being the seventh child in a family of nine children and the lead singer of the Jackson 5, to being controlled and physically and mentally abused by his father Joe Jackson. She lets the audience see that Michael Jackson was hard working and completely dedicated to his creative process, but also was vulnerable, sensitive, troubled, experienced self-doubt and at times would retreat into a quirky and playful side. After attending the opening night “MJ: The Musical”’ I must say, Lynn Nottage is one of the most consequential playwrights of our time! “MJ: The Musical” reveals the heart and soul of the “man in the mirror.” She gives the audience an in-depth look at the demons that tortured this musical, creative genius.
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