Ready to relive some of the King of Pop’s best hits? “Thriller,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Keep the Faith,” and many more are coming to town… all thanks to the first ever national tour of MJ the Musical! Fans in Kansas City, you’re in luck because the famed Broadway dance party is coming to town. Featuring an unforgettable soundtrack and some signature dance moves, every single person in the room is sure to have an amazing time.
MJ the Musical will hold several performances at the Kansas City Music Hall from the 7th to the 12th of May. This production is taking you on a trip down memory lane, from Michael Jackson’s small beginnings to his rise to fame, as told through his songs. So, when the musical comes to Kansas City, you better be sure not to miss out on it! Tickets are on sale right now. You might want to get your hands on them before they sell out!
MJ – The Musical Tickets
NYC’s unbeatable night out!
Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry has finally arrived on Broadway!
Broadway’s 4-time Tony Award-winning hit!
MJ the Musical stands out as a must-see Broadway production. Since it premiered in 2022, the musical has garnered widespread acclaim. In the following year, it went on to win four Tony Awards, notably for Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design in a Musical, and Best Sound Design in a Musical. Featuring a score comprising some of the most legendary songs in music history, the musical boasts a script penned by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage. Christopher Wheeldon assumes the roles of both director and choreographer, lending his expertise to the production. Behind the scenes, Lia Vollack, John Branca, and John McClain serve as producers for both the Broadway run and the touring productions.
The production offers audiences a glimpse behind the curtain, portraying Michael’s preparations for the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. As Michael and his team fine-tune their performances during rehearsals, the audience is transported to some of the highlights of his career.
“Visually & sonically ravishing!” – Deadline
“Utterly electrifying!” – Chicago Tribune
“MJ is one of the best shows ever!” – WGN Radio
“Exhilarating! A magical theatrical experience.” – ABC7 Chicago TV
The cast will be led by Roman Banks in the title role. Jamaal Fields-Green joins the cast as the MJ understudy, with Brandon Lee Harris as Michael, Josiah Benson as Little Michael, and Ethan Joseph as Little Michael.
Devin Bowles will play Joseph Jackson/Rob; Mary Kate Moore as Rachel; J. Daughtry as Berry Gordy/Nick; Josh A. Dawson as Tito Jackson/Quincy Jones; Jaylen Lyndon Hunter as Little Marlon; Matt Loehr as Dave; Da’Von Moody as Alejandro; and Anastasia Talley as Katherine Jackson/Kate.
The rest of the ensemble includes JoJo Carmichael (Swing), Croix DiIenno (Ensemble), Kellie Drobnick (Ensemble), Kyle Dupree (Swing/Dance Captain), Zuri Noelle Ford (Swing), Jahir L. Hipps (Swing), Bryson Jacobi Jackson (Jermaine Jackson/Ensemble), Rajané Katurah (Swing/Assistant Dance Captain), Jordan Markus (MJ/Michael understudy), Matteo Marretta (Ensemble), Janayé McAlpine (Ensemble), Jay McKenzie (Jackie Jackson/Ensemble), Kendrick Mitchell (Swing), Chelsea Mitchell-Bonsu (Ensemble), Zion Pradier (Swing), Ayla Stackhouse (Swing), Brion Marquis Watson (Marlon Jackson/Ensemble), Charles P. Way (Swing), and Malcolm Miles Young (Randy Jackson/Ensemble).
MJ has enjoyed remarkable success at the box office. When it opened on Broadway, it consistently raked in over a million dollars every week. After the Tonys, the show experienced a significant surge in its weekly earnings, reaching $1,661,000, with sold-out performances and booming advance sales. This surge marked the largest box office increase of the week on Broadway and set a new record for the show.
By September 4, 2022, it had broken the Neil Simon theater’s box office record five times, accumulating a total gross of $49.4 million. As of December 2023, MJ the Musical had grossed approximately $169.5 million on Broadway, drawing an audience of 1,144,089 across 821 performances. And right now, it’s on tour!
“Michael obviously had an innate gift for movement,” Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon said. “He trained with some great pop-and-lock teachers and hip-hop teachers in L.A., and he had mentors. One of the largest facets of his gifts was to be able to take from the greats and to understand how to take a shape from Fred Astaire or a movement in the feet from James Brown or a leap from Baryshnikov. He was a huge ballet fan.”
He also said there’s a “violence to Michael’s accuracy” when it comes to dancing, talking about the star of the show. “I think it’s the dynamic explosive power of his movement that can make me think that it was coming from emotion and frustration and not just drawing from the shapes of Astaire and the hands of Bob Fosse and the feet of James Brown — but actually his own inner emotion.”
Do not miss it when MJ the Musical lands in Kansas City! Whether you’re a huge fan of the King of Pop, or a casual listener, this show is going to give you beats and dance moves that you’re going to remember for the rest of your lives!