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The Michael Jackson Musical: 'MJ'

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Michael Jackson fans of New York welcome <a href="https://twitter.com/ephsykes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ephsykes</a> to MJ Fam &#10084;&#65039; We are excited to see you in <a href="https://twitter.com/MJtheMusical?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mjthemusical</a> on July 6th <a href="https://twitter.com/chele_mimi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chele_mimi</a> rocks !!!!&#10084;&#65039;&#10084;&#65039;&#10084;&#65039; <a href="https://t.co/ei07Sm2qXF">pic.twitter.com/ei07Sm2qXF</a></p>&mdash; Melanie321 (@Mellie4Justice) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mellie4Justice/status/1233083022112628737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
First Look: Set Design Unveiled for Michael Jackson Broadway Musical 'MJ'

The complete creative team also has been announced for the upcoming bio-musical, which begins previews July 6 at the Neil Simon Theatre ahead of an Aug. 13 opening.

A densely industrial city block full of fire escapes and neons, a place that looks suspended in the imagination between Times Square and Tokyo, will form one of the principal settings for MJ, the upcoming Broadway musical inspired by the life and artistry of Michael Jackson. The Hollywood Reporter was given an exclusive first look at the work of scenic designer Derek McLane.

"The majority of the story is set inside a spacious, industrial dance rehearsal studio, but throughout the musical we find ourselves repeatedly transported into Michael's mind — his memories and dreams," said McLane in a statement. "The alternating between dream sequences and reality gives us the chance to repeatedly surprise the audience."

Lia Vollack Productions and The Michael Jackson Estate today also confirmed the full creative team for the show, which will star previously announced lead Ephraim Sykes in the title role.

In addition to McLane, a Tony Award winner for 33 Variations and a two-time Emmy winner, for the 2014 Oscars telecast and 2017's Hairspray Live!, the team includes multiple award winners Natasha Katz (lighting), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Gareth Owen (sound), Peter Nigrini (projections) and Charles LaPointe (hair and wigs).

David Holcenberg will serve as music supervisor, also sharing orchestration and arrangement duties with recent Tony winner Jason Michael Webb, who will be the production's music director.

The show's book is by Lynn Nottage, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her plays Ruined and Sweat, while direction and choreography are by Christopher Wheeldon, who made a successful transition from the ballet world into musical theater in 2015 with An American in Paris, winning a Tony for his exhilarating dance storytelling.

Few details are known about the show at this point, other than the narrative frame being pegged to the intensive rehearsal period for Jackson's 1992 Dangerous tour, widely considered the height of his reign as the King of Pop. It remains unclear to what extent, if any, the musical will address the controversies surrounding child sexual abuse allegations that clouded the final decades of Jackson's life and have continued since his death in 2009.

"What I would say about the show is that Lynn Nottage and Christopher Wheeldon are really unique and brilliant theater artists and I think that what we have done for as long as there has been theater is told stories about all kinds of provocative individuals," lead producer Vollack told THR in an interview late last year. "Michael Jackson was a figure in our history who has been dead for 10 years, who had a massive impact on music and dance, on how we view celebrity and race."

Previews for MJ are scheduled to begin July 6 at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre, ahead of an Aug. 13 official opening.

Alongside Sykes, coming off his Tony-nominated turn in Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, the MJ cast will include 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.

Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/n...d-michael-jackson-broadway-musical-mj-1281845
 
one_time_use_only_-_mj_first_look_sketch_by_derek_mclane-_publicity_-_h_2020_.jpg

Scenic design sketch by Derek McLane for 'MJ'
 
It looks as though MJ might have competition from Britney, ironically...

Like it Or Not, Britney Spears Broadway Musical Set for Chicago Tryout...
Like it Or Not, Britney Spears Broadway Musical Set for Chicago Tryout Featuring &#8220;American Idol&#8221; Star Justin Guarini (Not as Britney)

Like it or not, a Britney Spears jukebox musical is coming toward us like a meteorite set to destroy the world.

&#8220;Once Upon a Time One More Time&#8221; is the threat, and the title. The show will debut in Chicago from April 14 to May 17th. Then it could come to New York for the summer, or the fall.

It&#8217;s got a book kind of based on Cinderella. She will be played by Briga Heelan. &#8220;American Idol&#8221; star Justin Guarini, who&#8217;s been on Broadway a lot, will play Prince Charming. Simon Callow and Emily Skinner are also featured.

The show is by &#8220;internationally-acclaimed artists&#8221; Keone & Mari Madrid, whoever they are. David Leveaux, who is actually acclaimed, is on the creative team.

The entire show is based around the cliff hanger of Britney coming to the opening nights. There&#8217;s more drama in that part of it than in the rest of this. The music, well, the music will comprise Britney&#8217;s hits, a special torture to be sure.

Stay tuned, because you know that none of this will go as planned. This, friends, is real theater!

https://www.showbiz411.com/2020/03/...rican-idol-star-justin-guarini-not-as-britney

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This Britney musical seems to have stepped in when the MJ musical cancelled it's Chicago 'tryout' run.

...............The production starts its pre-Broadway run Nov. 13 in Chicago. It replaces a high-profile, previously announced show: The Michael Jackson&#8211;themed Don't Stop Till You Get Enough canceled its Chicago run in mid-February. (The team says it is now aiming for a summer 2020 opening on Broadway.)

All of this leaves an opening at Chicago's James M. Nederlander Theatre for Spears' show. According to Broadway in Chicago, Once Upon a One More Time will center around a group of fairy tale princesses engaged in a book club that only reads Grimm's Fairy Tales. That is, until one day when Cinderella wishes for fresh reading material. That's when "a rogue fairy godmother drops The Feminine Mystique in her corseted lap." In this journey from pretty princess to something more, expect to hear signature Britney hits like "Stronger," "Lucky," "Toxic," and, of course, "Oops!... I Did It Again."

Here's another reason to get pumped: Keone and Mari Madrid are on board to choreograph. The charming duo, not to mention super-cute married couple, have had major success with their playful blend of contemporary and hip hop. After raking in 1.4 billion views for starring in Justin Bieber's "Love Yourself" video, we're sure they can make magic onstage with Britney Spears' music.

https://www.dancemagazine.com/britney-spears-musical-2631408509.html

These are the 'Britney' choreographers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcUlKO8df3A&list=PL91fONBk6UHYPgm2dD7H0aSZPsi8nuf1G&index=9

[video=youtube;pcUlKO8df3A]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcUlKO8df3A&list=PL91fONBk6UHYPgm2dD7H0aSZPsi8nuf1G&index=9[/video]
 
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myosotis;4282977 said:
It looks as though MJ might have competition from Britney, ironically...

Like it Or Not, Britney Spears Broadway Musical Set for Chicago Tryout...
Like it Or Not, Britney Spears Broadway Musical Set for Chicago Tryout Featuring &#8220;American Idol&#8221; Star Justin Guarini (Not as Britney)

Like it or not, a Britney Spears jukebox musical is coming toward us like a meteorite set to destroy the world.

&#8220;Once Upon a Time One More Time&#8221; is the threat, and the title. The show will debut in Chicago from April 14 to May 17th. Then it could come to New York for the summer, or the fall.

It&#8217;s got a book kind of based on Cinderella. She will be played by Briga Heelan. &#8220;American Idol&#8221; star Justin Guarini, who&#8217;s been on Broadway a lot, will play Prince Charming. Simon Callow and Emily Skinner are also featured.

The show is by &#8220;internationally-acclaimed artists&#8221; Keone & Mari Madrid, whoever they are. David Leveaux, who is actually acclaimed, is on the creative team.

The entire show is based around the cliff hanger of Britney coming to the opening nights. There&#8217;s more drama in that part of it than in the rest of this. The music, well, the music will comprise Britney&#8217;s hits, a special torture to be sure.

Stay tuned, because you know that none of this will go as planned. This, friends, is real theater!

https://www.showbiz411.com/2020/03/...rican-idol-star-justin-guarini-not-as-britney

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Britney musical seems to have stepped in when the MJ musical cancelled it's Chicago 'tryout' run.

...............The production starts its pre-Broadway run Nov. 13 in Chicago. It replaces a high-profile, previously announced show: The Michael Jackson&#8211;themed Don't Stop Till You Get Enough canceled its Chicago run in mid-February. (The team says it is now aiming for a summer 2020 opening on Broadway.)

All of this leaves an opening at Chicago's James M. Nederlander Theatre for Spears' show. According to Broadway in Chicago, Once Upon a One More Time will center around a group of fairy tale princesses engaged in a book club that only reads Grimm's Fairy Tales. That is, until one day when Cinderella wishes for fresh reading material. That's when "a rogue fairy godmother drops The Feminine Mystique in her corseted lap." In this journey from pretty princess to something more, expect to hear signature Britney hits like "Stronger," "Lucky," "Toxic," and, of course, "Oops!... I Did It Again."

Here's another reason to get pumped: Keone and Mari Madrid are on board to choreograph. The charming duo, not to mention super-cute married couple, have had major success with their playful blend of contemporary and hip hop. After raking in 1.4 billion views for starring in Justin Bieber's "Love Yourself" video, we're sure they can make magic onstage with Britney Spears' music.

https://www.dancemagazine.com/britney-spears-musical-2631408509.html

These are the 'Britney' choreographers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcUlKO8df3A&list=PL91fONBk6UHYPgm2dD7H0aSZPsi8nuf1G&index=9

[video=youtube;pcUlKO8df3A]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcUlKO8df3A&list=PL91fONBk6UHYPgm2dD7H0aSZPsi8nuf1G&index=9[/video]
Click to expand...

if the MJ musical fails then I will tell everyone to go to this if they fan of her.
 
From The Michael Jackson Estate Team:

Group Sales for MJ The Musical

The whole Broadway show team has been ecstatic to receive so many requests for group sales from the various fan clubs around the world. The Estate has worked with the theater and the sales team to set up a special portal where you can go to purchase group tickets for MJ The Musical. If you prefer, you may call 800-525-2929 for group sales. All of the information is available at https://www.broadwayinbound.com/welcome-mjfam/. Purchasing your tickets as a group will ensure that you get access to a group specialist to help you choose the best option for your group, and there will be a group discount on the ticket price!
This site is designed to best service you, the fans, and you are the first to have access to it. The team is very proud of the show they are creating and look forward to your reviews once you’ve had a chance to experience the magic in the theater.
Enjoy,
The MJ Online Team
MJOnline
The Official Online Team of The Michael Jackson Estate™

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Can’t wait &#128522; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mj?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mj</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mjthemusical?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mjthemusical</a> <a href="https://t.co/Nsz8G0AMt9">https://t.co/Nsz8G0AMt9</a></p>&mdash; The Challinor (@TheChallinor) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChallinor/status/1236008249901662210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
They giving out sells etc. i hope this is good if they doing all of this. it would be sad if they doing all of this and fails.
 
NatureCriminal7896 said:
Not sure what they going for this. but we'll see.
Click to expand...


The article and the interview with the set designer mentioned concepts such as: a rehearsal hall...with the show moving in and out of Michael's imagination.

I think it looks amazing.
 
Oh wow. that seems interesting. maybe it will be a good show. as long they won't put anything to do with the fakes lies. then maybe we off an good start.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Behind the Scenes: Grooving to the Beat. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MJtheMusical?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MJtheMusical</a> <a href="https://t.co/jzUSwNKF1d">pic.twitter.com/jzUSwNKF1d</a></p>&mdash; MJ (@MJtheMusical) <a href="https://twitter.com/MJtheMusical/status/1236066646609059842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
I'm curious what this will turn into, it's hard to make judgement when all we know is what the second act stage will look like, some of the cast members, and that there is someone playing as MJ.

That leaves a very open space!
 
Exactly. we don't know what they actually going for so we really need to stop saying we know what gonna happen. I wish this musical the best of luck.
 
Hard to get excited for this. I'm a fan of the man, not people trying to tell me who the man was or what was in 'his imagination'.

Cirque was a perfect blend, there was still MJ. The music, the videos.. but this is starting to feel like a glorified Thriller Live to me.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Now theaters who&#8217;ve cancelled our productions r asking playwrights to return advances.Those advances r how we survive. I&#8217;m totally sympathetic to the plight of theaters, but to ask artists for money back during this heightened insecurity is tone deaf.<a href="https://twitter.com/dramatistsguild?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dramatistsguild</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tina24hour?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tina24hour</a></p>&mdash; Lynn Nottage (@Lynnbrooklyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lynnbrooklyn/status/1240035388510658560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
NatureCriminal7896;4284358 said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Now theaters who&#8217;ve cancelled our productions r asking playwrights to return advances.Those advances r how we survive. I&#8217;m totally sympathetic to the plight of theaters, but to ask artists for money back during this heightened insecurity is tone deaf.<a href="https://twitter.com/dramatistsguild?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dramatistsguild</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tina24hour?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tina24hour</a></p>&#8212; Lynn Nottage (@Lynnbrooklyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lynnbrooklyn/status/1240035388510658560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Click to expand...

Shouldn't have paid her a penny.
 
Broadway theaters to remain closed through September

All Broadway theaters will remain closed through at least Sept. 6, the Broadway League announced Tuesday.

A date to resume performances has “yet to be determined,” according to the League, and many industry members expect the date to be pushed further as Broadway grapples with health concerns and governmental regulations. Rather, the League says the new date is meant to help facilitate ticket refunds and exchanges for patrons.

Broadway theaters were previously scheduled to be closed through June 7, after first shutting down on March 12.

“While all Broadway shows would love to resume performances as soon as possible, we need to ensure the health and well-being of everyone who comes to the theatre – behind the curtain and in front of it – before shows can return,” said Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League. “The Broadway League’s membership is working in cooperation with the theatrical unions, government officials, and health experts to determine the safest ways to restart our industry.”

The announcement comes as Gov. Andrew Cuomo has outlined a reopening plan for the state of New York. In that plan, live arts and entertainment are the last to reopen, following construction, retail and restaurants, among others.

Ahead of reopening, Actors’ Equity has hired David Michaels, a former assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, to consult on new health and safety standards for their members. The union applauded Tuesday’s announcement.

“Today the Broadway League took a difficult but necessary action to put the safety of everyone from the audience to the actors and stage managers first,” said Mary McColl, executive director of Actors’ Equity Association. “Before our members can safely return to work, we will need new protocols that protect audiences and workers alike.”

https://broadwaynews.com/2020/05/12/broadway-theaters-to-remain-closed-through-september/
 
None of us knew how this musical was gonna be like. if it was gonna be bad. maybe it's a good thing it has been cancelled for the time being. that's not saying if things get better they won't still do it.

as of right now it's cancel.
 
NatureCriminal7896 said:
None of us knew how this musical was gonna be like. if it was gonna be bad. maybe it's a good thing it has been cancelled for the time being. that's not saying if things get better they won't still do it.

as of right now it's cancel.
Click to expand...

The musical is not canceled. The theaters remain closed for now due to the virus. So the musical is delayed until they reopen. :)
 
in my opinion it's cancelled until this virus has cure made for it. i did not say they wasn't gonna do it. i said it's cancelled. my ways of words is different from others so if i meant something i meant my way point of view.
 
Nottage is keeping busy:

André De Shields, Lynn Nottage, Rebecca Naomi Jones, More Join Special Edition of 24 Hour Plays: Viral Monologues

"COVID and Incarceration" will tell stories from people affected by the recent pandemic and correctional facilities.

Tony winner André De Shields, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, and Rebecca Naomi Jones are among the artists slated for the May 12 edition of The 24 Hour Plays: Viral Monologues, titled "COVID & Incarceration." The program will tell real stories from those currently and previously incarcerated, their families, and the advocates serving them during this global pandemic.

"COVID & Incarceraation" is a partnership between The Broadway Advocacy Coalition, The Confined Arts, RAPP, Zealous, and The Center for Institutional and Social Change at Columbia Law School.

Joining De Shields and Jones as performers are Jelani Alladin, Pascale Armand, Ato Blankson-Wood, Maggie Bofill, Madeline Brewer, Peter Jay Fernandez, Alex Hernandez, Aja Naomi King, L Morgan Lee, Deirdre Lovejoy, John Clarence Stewart, and Desean Terry.

Playwrights set for the project include Nottage, Lemon Andersen, Hilary Bettis, Jordan E. Cooper, Michael John Garcés, Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, Emily Mann, Roger Q Mason, DeRay Mckesson, Tony Meneses, NSangou Njikam, Liza Jessie Peterson, Shaka Senghor, and Stevie Walker-Webb

The videos will be streamed every 15 minutes on Instagram (@24HourPlays) beginning at 6 PM ET and later be available on 24HourPlays.com.

The process began May 11 at 6 PM, when actors shared orientation-style videos to allow the writers to get to know them better. By 7 PM, writers and actors were paired, and writers went to work crafting new monologues specifically for their assigned actors, highlighting the experiences of advocates. This morning, advocates got the first look at the brand-new monologues before the actors filmed their performances. The 24-hour cycle is completed with the launch of the videos.

https://www.playbill.com/article/an...ial-edition-of-24-hour-plays-viral-monologues

https://24hourplays.com/viral-monologues/


&#8220;June&#8221; by Lynn Nottage, performed by Rebecca Naomi Jones.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAHC0kopU-D/
 
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NatureCriminal7896;4289943 said:
in my opinion it's cancelled until this virus has cure made for it. i did not say they wasn't gonna do it. i said it's cancelled. my ways of words is different from others so if i meant something i meant my way point of view.
Click to expand...

I see. It might confuse others, though. They might come to this thread and think the musical is called off when it&#8217;s not. :)

That said, I hope the Estate now reconsiders their strategy a bit and focuses more on projects that all of us can enjoy, not only those who can afford a trip to Broadway or Las Vegas.
 
I don't think this musical is a bad idea. it's the team and the story that's give me bad hope. if anyone willing to go they can. i'm just saying from my point of view this was a bad idea.

but who knows what the team could do? still wishing this musical hope one day they do it.
 
Great news. Now we wont have to risk having bad attendance and the papers writing its because of Leaving Neverland, when its due to the corona.

Meanwhile, we need to stream MJ on spotify and youtube etc to make sure the Estate has money enough to smoke Robson & Safechuck like bad cigarrs during the upcoming court battle!
 
I think the estate gonna win anyway. we have enough proof. if W and J wins then it would be totally unfair.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Due to the Broadway shutdown, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MJtheMusical?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MJtheMusical</a> will now arrive on Broadway beginning March 8, 2021. For information about refunds for canceled performances, please contact your point of purchase. Tickets for our new dates are available now: <a href="https://t.co/FoqgEhrrqz">https://t.co/FoqgEhrrqz</a> <a href="https://t.co/zgmPj4PUyQ">pic.twitter.com/zgmPj4PUyQ</a></p>&mdash; MJ (@MJtheMusical) <a href="https://twitter.com/MJtheMusical/status/1260596486590681089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
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