Theatre Review: MJ The Musical

MJ The Musical  

Writer Lynn Nottage                      

Director & Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon OBE

Sydney Lyric Theatre until June 22

Photo Credit Daniel Boud

Reviewed by Ron Lee, CSP

At the formation of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, an MTV journalist, Rachel (Penny McNamee) and her camera operator, Dan (Tim Wright) are invited into the perfectionist world of Michael Jackson and she finds out about some elements in a complicated life, but they are barely addressed.

This show contains forty songs that include Beat It, The Man in the Mirror, Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, Bad, Black and White, and the big production of Thriller is alone worth the price of admission.

Although he looks nothing like Michael Jackson, Roman Banks is stunning in the role; he has clearly absorbed the character and releases him in spectacular ways, sometimes through simple but amazing entrances. His moves and vocals have been well studied and executed to the level of duplication. Banks is especially well supported by the powerful stage presence of Derrick Davis in the dual roles of Joe Jackson and Rob the producer. Davis’ characters are the perfect foils to MJ. The large cast includes MJ at various stages of his life and career.

It was interesting to find out that Michael Jackson's dance moves were inspired by Fred Astaire, Bob Fosse, Jackie Wilson and The Nicholas Brothers, and I've always been fascinated by the way in which he walks backwards and forwards at the same time.  

I was surprised that Ben wasn't one of the songs, and there was no mention of sisters Janet and La Toya Jackson, wife Lisa Marie Presley, or a re-enactment of the Pepsi commercial in which Michael Jackson caught fire.

MJ The Musical is the all-singing, all-dancing, glossy sales version of Michael Jackson’s legacy that lacks the potential grittiness and balance that details of his alleged controversial behaviour would have provided. 

I have never been a fan of Michael Jackson’s music, but with the size of its cast, its soaring, impressive sets, its high production values, the costumes, the music and choreography, and of course Roman Banks’ outstanding performance, MJ The Musical is well worth catching. My companion on the night, a massive Michael Jackson fan, was absolutely ecstatic and she couldn’t thank me enough for inviting her. If you’re a fan, this production will deservedly be at the top of your to-see list.