‘MJ The Musical’: An Entertaining, Uncomplicated Investigation Of An Icon

Part jukebox musical biopic and part tribute concert, MJ the Musical has arrived at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre after a smash-hit run in the US that made it one of the highest-grossing musicals of all time. Set in the rehearsal period for The Dangerous Tour, it follows Michael Jackson as he bets everything on this ambitious tour, all while being interviewed by an MTV crew for promotional purposes. 

If you’ve ever enjoyed the music of Michael Jackson – and let’s be honest, who hasn’t – then there’s no doubt you’ll find enjoyment in this show, owed in huge part to actor Roman Banks’ phenomenal performance as the King of Pop. However, if you’re expecting a more thorough look at Jackson’s life or to learn something new about the man or his music, you may be left a bit disappointed. 

MJ the Musical makes the smart choice to be set during a specific period of Jackson’s life, jumping between the present and the past to paint a greater picture of his life. Using a journalist directly asking Michael questions is a very simple narrative device that gives a solid excuse to visit a number of iconic moments from Jackson’s life. 

The King of Pop comes to life with impressive performances

The show’s greatest strength lies in the trifecta of performers it uses to portray Jackson in the different stages of his life. The aforementioned Roman Banks previously played the role on a US tour, and his emulation of Jackson is practically flawless. He moves, sings and talks like the iconic performer in a truly transformative way – indeed, it’s the closest you could get to seeing Michael Jackson live on stage. 

His younger counterparts are equally impressive, too. In the show I attended, William Bonner played Michael as a child in the Jackson Five, while Liam Damons plays the singer from adolescence to the Thriller era. Each performer perfectly emulates the style and sound of Jackson during his iconic eras, and the fact they often share the stage is a superb creative choice. Getting Michael Jackson to harmonise with himself is a great idea!

The trio’s incredible performances are supplemented by a remarkably talented ensemble cast of dancers and actors, many of them tasked with playing multiple roles across these different eras. I was particularly impressed with Derrick Davis, who could switch between playing Michael’s dad Joseph and his modern-day tour manager Rob as easily as flicking a switch. 

The choreography for this show is also stunning, and yes, the music is performed exceptionally well. No expense has been spared on the production value of this show either, with seemingly endless stage changes occurring throughout which the cast navigates with seeming ease. Mega hits like Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal and Thriller are performed with clear passion from all involved, and it’s easy to enjoy as a quasi-concert. 

MJ the Musical doesn’t dig deep into Michael Jackson

Therein lies an issue with MJ the Musical; though it’s quite an entertaining show, it doesn’t really provoke in a substantial way. The production is more interested in Jackson as the mythical King of Pop than it is in really digging into who he was. There are some references to his pill addiction and a tough childhood, but it’s never quite given the time of day to fully develop. 

And of course, Jackson’s legacy is somewhat muddied by a number of sexual abuse allegations. It’s a bit strange to me that the show often alludes to this – MJ  often talks about how the media is trying to tear him down in the show, and a reporter asks about how he responds to ‘the allegations’ – but never attempts to seriously reconcile this element of Jackson’s history with his status as a boundary-breaking legend of music. 

It means that MJ the Musical can feel a bit empty as a narrative, and unable to deal with the somewhat complicated legacy Jackson left behind. Nonetheless, MJ the Musical is a vivacious pop musical that can be enjoyed as a celebration of Jackson’s musical prowess, even if not much more.

MJ the Musical is playing at the Lyric Theatre until June 22nd, 2025.