Quentin Earl Darrington & more to join Ephraim Sykes in MJ The Musical on Broadway
The world premiere of MJ The Musical is scheduled to begin performances at the Neil Simon Theatre on July 6, 2020.
"You Are Not Alone," Ephraim Sykes! Additional casting has now been revealed to join the previously announced Tony and Grammy Award nominee, who will be starring as Michael Jackson in the forthcoming world premiere of MJ The Musical on Broadway.
Joining Mr. Sykes will be Grammy Award nominee Quentin Earl Darrington, Whitney Bashor, Gabriel Ruiz, Antoine L. Smith, Joey Sorge, Darius Barnes, Raymond Baynard, Coral Dolphin, John Edwards, Ayana George, Kali May Grinder, Apollo Levine, Ryan VanDenBoom, Lamont Walker II, Naomi C. Walley, and Zelig Williams.
Producers have also announced a national casting call in search of actors to play the titular role at various stages of his life and to understudy Mr. Sykes.
Quentin Earl Darrington has previously starred on Broadway in Once on This Island, Cats, and Ragtime. and in the National Tours of Memphis, The Color Purple, and Disney's The Lion King.
Under the direction of Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon (who also serves as choreographer), the world premiere production is scheduled to begin previews at the Neil Simon Theatre on July 6, 2020, ahead of an official opening on August 13.
Produced by Columbia Live Stage and The Michael Jackson Estate, MJ The Musical is a new bio-musical based on the life and career of the late music icon Michael Jackson and will feature a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage.
Michael Jackson's greatest hits, to be showcased in the musical, include the likes of "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," "Rock with You," "Billie Jean," "Beat It," "Thriller," "Bad," "Man in the Mirror," "Smooth Criminal," "Black or White," "Heal the World," "You Are Not Alone," and "You Rock My World."
Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958 and died on June 25, 2009 at the age of 50. Over the course of his career in the music industry as "The King of Pop," he released a total of 10 studio albums, sold an estimated amount of over 350 million records worldwide and won 13 Grammy Awards. He also famously starred as Scarecrow in the 1978 film adaptation of The Wiz.
Ephraim Sykes can currently be seen starring in his Tony-nominated performance as David Ruffin in Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations at Broadway's Imperial Theatre. The production earned him his first Grammy nomination yesterday in the category of 'Best Musical Theater Album.' His other Broadway credits include Hamilton, Motown The Musical, Memphis, Disney's Newsies, and Disney's The Little Mermaid. He is also known for starring as Seaweed J. Stubbs in NBC's "Hairspray Live!" in 2016 and his other television credits include "Vinyl," Marvel's "Luke Cage," "Smash," and "30 Rock."
A musical revue by the name of Thriller Live has been running in London's West End since January 2009, which celebrates the music of Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5, and is set to play its final performance there on April 26, 2020.
(Photo by Little Fang Photo)
MJ The Musical Tickets will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
What is MJ The Musical about?
See a new side of the cultural trailblazer, complete with gorgeous renditions of his greatest hits and his iconic dance moves, in MJ The Musical. Michael Jackson takes center stage, circa 1992, as an MTV camera crew's interview unlocks memories and key moments of the icon's rise to stardom. Find out more about MJ The Musical tickets.
Where is MJ The Musical playing?
MJ The Musical is playing at Neil Simon Theatre. The theatre is located at 250 West 52nd Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), New York, 10019.
How long is MJ The Musical?
The running time of MJ The Musical is 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 intermission.
What's the age requirement for MJ The Musical?
The recommended age for MJ The Musical is Ages 8+. Children under 4 are not permitted. .
How do you book tickets for MJ The Musical?
Book tickets for MJ The Musical on New York Theatre Guide.
Who wrote MJ The Musical?
Lynn Nottage, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, wrote the script for MJ The Musical. The songs were written by more than 50 artists in total, but nearly all the songs are hits made famous by Michael Jackson. A few others are other famous songs from his era.
Who directed and choreographed MJ The Musical?
Christopher Wheeldon is the director and choreographer of MJ The Musical. He won the Best Choreography Tony Award in 2023 for his work. He is also known for his direction and Tony-winning choreography of An American in Paris.
Which Michael Jackson songs are in MJ The Musical?
MJ The Musical includes more than two dozen Michael Jackson songs including "Thriller," "Beat It," "Billie Jean," "Bad," and "Smooth Criminal." The show also features Jackson 5 songs and a few other famous pop songs from his era. Learn more about how Michael Jackson songs are used in MJ The Musical.
Is MJ The Musical appropriate for kids?
MJ The Musical is recommended for ages 8 and up. Please note that children 4 and younger are not permitted in Broadway theatres.
Is MJ The Musical good?
MJ The Musical won four Tony Awards and is among the best-reviewed shows on New York Theatre Guide. Our five-star review reads, "MJ is the platinum standard... the perfect salutation to the life of an imperfect but gifted icon."
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