Every day is opening night.

Press Contacts:
Rick Miramontez / Kendall Edwards / Marie Bshara / Bailey Everett
rick@omdkc.com / kendall@omdkc.com / marie@omdkc.com / bailey@omdkc.com

National Tour Press Contacts:
Jenny Bates / Steph Kelleher / Harrison Mootoo
jenny@bondtheatrical.com / steph@bondtheatrical.com / harrison@bondtheatrical.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

MELVIN GRAY JR.
WILL ALTERNATE IN THE TITLE ROLE
IN THE FIRST NATIONAL TOUR OF
FOUR-TIME TONY AWARD®-WINNING NEW MUSICAL
“MJ”

New York, NY (May 7, 2025) – Producers Lia Vollack, John Branca and John McClain announced today that Melvin Gray Jr. will join the National Tour Company of the four-time Tony Award-winning musical, MJ, alternating in the title role twice a week beginning May 19. Jordan Markus continues to lead the National Tour Company as ‘MJ.’

Also beginning May 19, Bryce A. Holmes, currently playing ‘Little Marlon,’ will take over the role of ‘Little Michael.’ Austin Rankin will join the National Tour, direct from the Broadway Company, and assume the role of ‘Little Marlon.’

First National Tour production photos with Jordan Markus are available HERE
For a Melvin Gray Jr. headshot, please click HERE

He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to cities across the United States as MJ, the multi-Tony Award®-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, has a tour of its own. Created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status.

Tickets and information for all MJ productions are available at MJTheMusical.com.

He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to cities across the United States as MJ, the multi-Tony Award®-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, has a tour of its own. Created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status.

Tickets and information for all MJ productions are available at MJTheMusical.com.

Melvin Gray Jr. joins the MJ tour having been recently seen across the country in the National Tour of Ain’t Too Proud. Regional credits include Bull Durham, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Songs for a New World, The Scottsboro Boys, Newsies. He has also been featured on “Killer Beat,” “Medicating & Healing,” and “Hype.”

The current National Tour cast features Jordan Markus in the title role of ‘MJ.’ He is joined by Melvin Gray Jr. (MJ – Alternate) who will play the role twice a week, Erik Hamilton (Michael), Quentin Blanton Jr. (Little Michael), Bane Griffith (Little Michael through May 18), Devin Bowles (Joseph Jackson/Rob), J. Daughtry (Berry Gordy/Nick), Josh A. Dawson (Tito Jackson/Quincy Jones), Anthony J. Garcia (Alejandro), Bryce A. Holmes (Little Marlon through May 18, Little Michael beginning May 19), Cecilia Petrush (Rachel), Austin Rankin (Little Marlon beginning May 19), Jed Resnick (Dave) and Anastasia Talley (Katherine Jackson/Kate).

The ensemble includes Ashton Booth (Ensemble),  JoJo Carmichael (Swing/Dance Captain), Joshua Dawson (Swing), Croix DiIenno (Ensemble/Assistant Dance Captain), Zuri Noelle Ford (Swing), Ui-Seng François (Swing), Jahir L. Hipps (Swing), Skye Jackson-Williams (Swing), Faith Jones (Swing), Jacobi Kai (Swing), Rajané Katurah (Swing), Rachel Lockhart (Ensemble), Michaela Marfori (Ensemble), Matteo Marretta (Ensemble), Jay McKenzie (Ensemble), Kendrick Mitchell (Swing), Zion Mikhail Pradier (Swing), Tyrone Reese (Universal Swing), Avilon Trust Tate (Ensemble), Charles P. Way (Swing) and Malcolm Miles Young (Ensemble).

MJ now spans three continents between five global productions. Since beginning performances in December 2021, MJ has played to over 1.8 million patrons on Broadway, has broken the box office record at the Neil Simon Theatre 11 times. The Broadway production currently stars Elijah Rhea Johnson. The North American Tour has played to over 1.5 million patrons and is currently playing in Nashville, TN, at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, starring Jordan Markus. The Olivier Award-winning West End production is currently playing at London’s Prince Edward Theatre starring Jamaal Fields-Green, the German production is currently playing at Hamburg’s Stage Theater starring Benét Monteiro, and the Australian production is currently playing at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre starring Roman Banks.

The MJ creative team features Scenic Design by two-time Tony and Emmy Award winner Derek McLane, Lighting Design by seven-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz, Costume Design by Oscar, Tony and Emmy Award winner Paul Tazewell, Sound Design by Tony Award winner Gareth Owen, Projection Design by two-time Tony Award nominee Peter Nigrini, Hair & Wig Design by two-time Emmy Award nominee Charles G. LaPointe and Makeup Design by Emmy nominee Joe Dulude II. The creative team also features Musical Supervision by Tony Award nominee David Holcenberg, Orchestrations and Arrangements by David Holcenberg and Tony Award winner Jason Michael Webb, and Music Direction by Nathanael Wilkerson and Jason Yarcho. Casting by The Telsey Office / Rachel Hoffman, CSA, Lindsay Levine, CSA.

The MJ First National Tour is general managed by Bespoke Theatricals. The stage management team is led by Production Stage Manager Nicole Olson, Stage Manager Xavier Khan and Assistant Stage Managers Alexander Pierce and Lauren Taylor Winston. The company management team is led by Company Manager Eric Armstrong and Assistant Company Manager Bianca Jean-Charles.

For more information worldwide, visit: www.MJTheMusical.com

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