HIStory Comes to Town: MJ the Musical Now Showing in Tucson

"3 minutes to Michael..."

"1 minute to Michael..."

I was quite confused when I walked into Centennial Hall to see Broadway in Tucson's MJ the Musical. Actors were pacing the stage, stretching, setting down their bags, and talking casually as if the audience weren't even there. However, as soon as the show started, it was completely evident that it was all setting the stage. This opening detail is only one of the many intricacies of the national tour, which is currently showing at Centennial Hall.

Jackson during the "Dangerous World Tour" in 1993. Photo: Constru-centro (CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED).

This jukebox musical is an incredible production set in a 1992 rehearsal for Michael Jackson's "Dangerous World Tour." It features hits not only from Jackson's solo career, but also hits of the Jackson 5, later the Jacksons, and other Motown favorites.

Don't come into this show looking for an in-depth showing of Jackson's life and career. If that is the case, wait for the next Michael Jackson musical, because MJ skips over some of the more negative aspects of his career.

However, aside from that, the show features stellar performances by the entire cast, and an amazing spectacle for the audience.

To be perfectly honest, each actor from MJ the Musical deserves a section entirely dedicated to them, but here are some summaries for the sake of brevity. For one, Roman Banks, who plays the conflicted and perfectionist MJ is phenomenal. The audience isn't watching Banks on stage, it's more like watching the real Michael Jackson. Banks completely transforms into the character, moonwalking to perfection, and even replicating Jackson's smooth and silky speech. Every detail in his performance is flawless.

Another actor who stood out is Devin Bowles who plays both Rob, MJ's manager, and Joe Jackson, MJ's abusive father. Bowles' ability to switch between the hard working and caring Rob and the abusive and angry father is impressive.

Other stand out performances include Brandon Lee Harris as teen MJ and Josiah Benson as young MJ. Benson and Harris also deliver extremely accurate and fine-tuned portrayals of the singer in his younger years.

Along with the actors, the lights make the show feel like a seamless exhibit of the many diverse styles and phases that MJ went through during his career. Each scene is carefully lit by lighting designer Natasha Katz, an 8-time Tony Award winner. Her years of experience and expertise shine in this show. Particularly the lighting during "Smooth Criminal," where neon signs flash to the beat and police lights flash in the distance. The lighting did not falter, and added so much more to the show.

All-in-all, this show offers a unique take on MJ's career during a time of intense inner-conflict and stress for the King of Pop. It showcases immensely talented actors, amazing lights, and a crowd-pleasing song list.

At one point during the production, MJ sings "Human Nature" while surrounded by the spinning letters of the Hollywood sign. If you could spell "WOW" using those letters, it would perfectly describe this show.

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If you go: 

MJ the Musical runs through Sunday at Centennial Hall in Tucson, AZ. For tickets and more info, click here.

Lighting warning: this show does include flashing lights that may affect photosensitive viewers.

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