The iconic music of Michael Jackson is making a triumphant return to Chicago with the opening of “MJ the Musical” at the James M. Nederlander Theatre on August 12.
This is the same venue that originally launched the U.S. tour of the Tony Award-winning Broadway production back in 2023.
Brandon Lee Harris, who plays the teenage Michael Jackson, expresses his excitement about bringing the musical to his hometown.
Born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, Harris feels that performing in front of his family and friends adds a special dimension to the experience.
“My family is still in Chicago, and they will be here for the show,” said Harris. “It feels really good. The first time we came here, there was a lot of hype because we were opening the tour. We were in tech, we were in previews, and we were always in rehearsals.”
Reflecting on the journey, Harris mentioned that this time around, the show is a “well-oiled machine,” allowing him to reconnect with his favorite local spots.
He plans to visit his mom’s house in Rogers Park, check in with his father in Westchester, and reconnect with former choir teachers at Lincoln Park High School.
Harris also looks forward to dining at his favorite West Side restaurant, El Gran Burrito.
Taking on the role of the legendary pop star comes with immense pressure for Harris.
“There’s a lot of pressure that I put on myself to portray such a man,” he explained. “It is a show about a Black musician, Black music, Black artistry, and a Black family. So every time I walk out on stage, I’m just trying to make sure that I am portraying Michael in the best light, the best way I possibly can, knowing that I’d never be him.”
“MJ the Musical” narrates the life story of the King of Pop through the lens of an MTV interview leading up to his groundbreaking 1992 Dangerous World Tour.
Critics have pointed out that the focus on Jackson’s childhood, his swift rise to fame, and his internal struggles allows the production to sidestep the more controversial aspects of his life, such as the allegations of sexual abuse that surfaced in 1993 and beyond.
Instead, the musical delves into Jackson’s early years, his challenges with identity—including speculation about plastic surgery and his well-documented battle with vitiligo—and the massive expectations he placed on himself.
A central theme of the show is Jackson’s complex relationship with his father, Joe Jackson.
Devin Bowles, who portrays Joe Jackson, believes it’s important not to simplistic villainize the character without understanding his humanity.
“It’s easy for us to villainize people that we don’t fully know about,” Bowles noted. “For me as an actor, I love diving into the humanity of people. Joe was a father, a husband, and a son. For me, when I start there, I think about the behavior of this person and the predicaments they were put in.”
Bowles compares Joe Jackson’s complexity to that of a character like Thanos from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, emphasizing that even seemingly villainous characters can have motivations that conceal their human traits.
“Joe loves Michael Jackson,” Bowles said. “I think Joe was very product-driven. He didn’t want anything to derail him from guiding his kids to being the best ever.”
The production takes audiences through significant moments in Jackson’s career, using flashbacks to illustrate milestones like the Jackson 5’s legendary performance at the Apollo and Michael Jackson’s iconic moonwalk on “Soul Train.”
A crucial element in portraying Jackson himself is seamlessly executing his signature dance moves.
The choreography in the show is a collaboration between director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and the renowned brothers Rich + Tone Talauega, whom Harris affectionately refers to as “the MJ authenticators.”
Having previously worked closely with Michael Jackson, the Talauega brothers have not only integrated his signature movements into the show, but also added fresh choreography that maintains his unique style.
When asked about his childhood dreams of playing Michael Jackson, Harris couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Honestly, if you would have told 8-year-old me that I’d be playing Michael Jackson one day, I probably would have passed out. Because Michael is my inspiration. He’s the reason why I wanted to be an artist, a singer, a performer in general. He’s influenced me so much in my career.”
As the excitement builds in the lead-up to opening night, both Harris and Bowles are poised to deliver memorable performances that honor the legacy of one of music’s most influential figures.
image source from：chicago
