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BENÉT MONTEIRO
TO PLAY TITLE ROLE IN
GERMAN PREMIERE OF
SMASH-HIT MUSICAL
“MJ – DAS MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL”

To download photo, click here.

New York, NY (August 6, 2024) – Stage Entertainment announced today that acclaimed Brazilian performer, Benét Monteiro, will play the title role of ‘MJ’ in the highly anticipated German premiere of the smash-shit musical MJ – Das Michael Jackson Musical. Performances begin at Stage Theater an der Elbe Hamburg on December 1, 2024. To download announcement video, click here.

“This is the role I’ve been waiting for all my life,” stated Monteiro. “Michael Jackson is a genius and the greatest entertainer of all time. To have the opportunity to immerse myself in his world with the title role is the best thing that could have happened to me. It is a great honor, and I will give my best to live up to his legacy and, most importantly, to celebrate his music with our audiences in Hamburg every night starting in December.”

Michael Jackson is an artistic icon and an absolute world star. For the casting of his role in MJ – Das Michael Jackson Musical, Stage Entertainment called for worldwide auditions. Casting Director Ralf Schaedler commented, “We were not only looking for an actor who could echo Michael Jackson’s singing and dancing performance, but also someone who could create Michael Jackson’s unique artistic vibe on the stage. The auditions for this title role were therefore a completely new challenge for us. When I saw Benét Monteiro perform as Michael Jackson for the first time, I knew immediately that he was made for this role. With his charisma, he gives the audience the feeling that they are experiencing a real superstar on stage.”

Benét Monteiro impressed with his singing and dancing talent as well as his unique style and the visible fascination he feels for the musical work of this exceptional artist. “I know of no other performer who is as versatile, passionate, talented and ambitious as Benét. In my eyes, we have found the perfect cast for the title role in him,” continues Ralf Schaedler.

MJ director and choreographer Christopher Weeldon stated, “Benét auditioned for us in London at the very beginning of our process before we had even created the show, and even at that time we were startled and excited by his incredible charisma, star power and understanding of Michael’s language. I couldn’t be more excited to be working with this incredibly talented young man on MJ in Hamburg.”

ABOUT BENÉT MONTEIRO

After completing his studies at the ETMB Musical Theater School of Brasilia, the native Brazilian began his musical career as Seaweed in HAIRSPRAY in Rio de Janeiro and as ‘Jack’ in Into The Woods in São Paulo. On various Aida cruise ships, he thrilled audiences in a wide variety of shows. Of great importance to Benét Monteiro are his vocal coach Rodrigo Soalheiro, who has been preparing him for every role since 2010, and the support of his sister Monique Monteiro. In addition to his stage engagements, he has recorded CDs with the artist, DJ and producer smiie. In 2021, Benét’s debut EP with the single “Can We Go On” was released under the stage name ‘Angeluz’.

Benét Monteiro is one of the most successful musical performers in Germany today. He has already thrilled over 5 million viewers with his performances as as ‘Simba’ in Disney’s The Lion King at Stage Theater im Hafen in Hamburg and as ‘Eddie’ on stage during the tour of Stage Entertainment’s own production Sister Act. He also appeared as alternate ‘Lola’ in Kinky Boots at Stage Operettenhaus in Hamburg, as ‘Jagwire’ in Bat Out Of Hell at Stage Metronom Theater in Oberhausen, as ‘Sky’ in Mamma Mia! at Stage Theater des Westens in Berlin, as ‘Kristoff’ in Disney’s Die Eiskönigin at Stage Theater an der Elbe, as ‘Alexander Hamilton’ in Hamilton at Stage Operettenhaus and most recently in the Disney musical Hercules in the title role at Stage Theater Neue Flora in Hamburg.

ABOUT MJ – DAS MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL

Centered around the making of the 1992 “Dangerous” world tour, MJ – Das Michael Jackson Musical presents some of the most popular and best-selling songs in music history, going far beyond the star’s unique moves and unmistakable sound. Staged by Tony Award®-winning director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, the show offers a rare glimpse into the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Jackson to legendary status.

Set design by Tony Award® and two-time Emmy Award® winner Derek McLane (“Moulin Rouge! The Musical”) and the lighting design by acclaimed six-time Tony Award® winner Natasha Katz (“An American in Paris”). Costume design is by Tony Award® and Emmy Award® winner Paul Tazewell (“Hamilton”), sound design by Tony Award® and Olivier Award winner Gareth Owen (“Come From Away”), projection design by two-time Tony Award® nominee Peter Nigrini (“Dear Evan Hansen”), hair and wigs by two-time Emmy Award nominee Charles LaPointe (“The Color Purple”). Musical supervision by Tony Award® nominee David Holcenberg (“Matilda”) who, along with Tony Award® winner Jason Michael Webb (“The Color Purple”), is also responsible for the orchestrations and arrangements.

On December 1, 2024, the musical, which has won four Tony Awards®, will celebrate its German premiere at the Stage Theater an der Elbe in Hamburg. Advance sales are underway. The show currently running at The Neil Simon Theater on Broadway, the Prince Edward Theater on the West End and on a North American Tour has already sold over two million tickets worldwide.

More information about MJ – Das Michael Jackson Musical www.musicals.de/MJ

ABOUT STAGE ENTERTAINMENT

Stage Entertainment is one of the world’s leading live entertainment companies. Stage develops and produces live entertainment formats, primarily musicals, at the highest artistic level. The private cultural sub-company employs around 2,000 people in eight countries and 19 theaters. In Germany alone, around 1,300 employees in eight theaters in Hamburg, Stuttgart and Berlin welcome around three and a half million guests every year. In total, more than 70 million people in Germany have already seen a play by Stage Entertainment.

Founded in 1998 by Joop van den Ende in the Netherlands, the US media company ADVANCE Publications has owned Stage Entertainment since 2018. Stage has an international portfolio of around 80 productions. In addition to major international hit shows such as Disney’s THE KING OF THE LIONS, HAMILTON, MAMMA MIA! and BLUE MAN GROUP, Stage also develops its own musicals such as ICH WAR NOCH NIEMALS IN NEW YORK, HINTERM HORIZONT and, most recently, TINA – Das Tina Turner Musical. Stage also produces and markets its own tours. Stage Entertainment’s business model is rounded off by an attractive range of events in all theaters beyond the current productions and the licensing of its own shows to third parties. “Touching Hearts, Creating Memories”: Creating magical moments for the audience is the goal of all employees at Stage.

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