“MJ” FIRST NATIONAL TOUR OPENS IN CHICAGO
Broadway Press Contacts:
Rick Miramontez / Marie Bshara / Kendall Edwards / Bailey Everett
rick@omdkc.com / marie@omdkc.com / kendall@omdkc.com / bailey@omdkc.com
212 695 7400
Tour Press Contacts:
DJ Martin / Jenny Bates / Scotland Newton
dj@bondtheatrical.com / jenny@bondtheatrical.com / scotland@bondtheatrical.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE
THIS WEEK IN CHICAGO
THE FOUR-TIME TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL’S
FIRST NATIONAL TOUR OFFICIALLY OPENED
“MJ”
New York, NY (August 11, 2023) – The curtain was raised on Wednesday night for the opening of the first National Tour of MJ. The cast took their opening night bows at the James M. Nederlander Theatre (24 W. Randolph) and received multiple standing ovations throughout the performance.
To download photos from the evening, click here.
To download video from the evening, click here.
“Utterly Electric! It’s a fresh, independent, complicated and often dazzlingly beautiful choreographic suite, as interpreted not by actors who dance but by dancers, first and foremost. Now that I’ve seen it a couple of times, my admiration has only grown for how well Wheeldon satisfied the imperative of offering people the moves they think they came to see while at the same time extending everyone’s choreographic vocabulary, both presentationally and emotionally. It’s a brilliant fusion of originality and reference […] and it’s fabulous to watch.” – Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
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, begins 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.
Roman Banks (Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen and “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”) plays the title role of ‘MJ.’ Joining him in the first national tour cast is Jamaal Fields-Green (MJ – Alternate), Brandon Lee Harris (Michael), Josiah Benson (Little Michael), Ethan Joseph (Little Michael), Devin Bowles (Joseph Jackson/Rob), Mary Kate Moore (Rachel), J. Daughtry (Berry Gordy/Nick), Josh A. Dawson (Tito Jackson/Quincy Jones), Jaylen Lyndon Hunter (Little Marlon), Matt Loehr (Dave), Da’Von T. Moody (Alejandro) and Anastasia Talley(Katherine Jackson/Kate).
The ensemble includes JoJo Carmichael (Swing/Assistant Dance Captain), Croix DiIenno (Ensemble), Kellie Drobnick (Ensemble), Kyle Dupree (Swing/Dance Captain), Zuri Noelle Ford (Swing), Jahir L. Hipps (Swing), Bryson Jacobi Jackson (Jermaine Jackson/Ensemble), Rajané Katurah (Swing), Jordan Markus (MJ/Michael understudy), Matteo Marretta(Ensemble), Janayé McAlpine (Ensemble), Jay McKenzie (Jackie Jackson/Ensemble), Kendrick Mitchell (Swing), Chelsea Mitchell Bonsu (Ensemble), Zion Pradier (Swing), Ayla Stackhouse (Swing), Brion Marquis Watson (Marlon Jackson/Ensemble), Charles P. Way(Swing) and Malcolm Miles Young (Randy Jackson/Ensemble).
To download production photos, click here.
To download b-roll, click here.
To download cast headshots, click here.
ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 23 years, has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago, lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining more than 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop, including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at the Auditorium Theatre.
For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com
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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 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, and Hair & Wig Design by two-time Emmy Award nominee Charles LaPointe. 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 Victor Simonson.
The MJ First National Tour is general managed by Bespoke Theatricals. The stage management team is led by Production Stage Manager Shawn Pennington, Stage Manager Geoff Maus and Assistant Stage Managers Nia J. Blizzard and Maya Bhatnagar. The company management team is led by Company Manager Justin T. Scholl and Assistant Company Manager Tameka Sadler.
MJ is produced on Broadway and tour by Lia Vollack, John Branca and John McClain.
For more information worldwide, visit: www.mjthemusical.com.
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