MJ – The Musical at Durham Performing Arts Center

mj musical durham north carolinaGet a compelling look into the incredible life that Michael Jackson lived with a groundbreaking jukebox epic, MJ The Musical! This astonishing stage adaption of the pivotal moments in Michael Jackson’s life provides audiences a gateway into the pop star’s remarkable artistry and outstanding experiences! If you’re a Michael Jackson fan, you are sure to love this biographical musical that features all of his amazing hits! As the Tony Award-winning musical goes on tour for the first time for season 2023 to 2024, fans are in for an excellent treat! Moreover, Broadway music enthusiasts from Durham, North Carolina, can look forward to an amazing fall season as MJ The Musical takes over the Durham Performing Arts Center from October 10 to October 22, 2023! The musical is guaranteed to bring the house down with its award-winning choreography, breathtaking scenic design, and highly acclaimed storyline! You’ll surely sing and dance to Michael Jackson’s phenomenal hits and be captivated by his incredible life! Hurry and score tickets now to see MJ The Musical at the Durham Performing Art Center!

MJ Musical Tickets:

“Riveting, adrenaline rush of a show!” – Washington Post

“A genuinely beautiful experience throughout!” New York Daily News

“Blossoming of undeniable talent!” – Deadline

mj musical tickets

MJ The Musical is not your ordinary jukebox showcase! The multi-award-winning epic is a biographical piece that lets people get a glimpse into the key moments in Michael Jackson’s life. Imagine seeing behind the scenes during MJ’s historic Dangerous Tour or seeing the pop superstar work with the amazing Quincy Jones. More importantly, MJ The Musical delves into MJ’s challenges during his childhood. It’s these moments that let audiences see that Michael Jackson was more than the glitz and glamour that he had portrayed on TV. He’s an artist with real-life struggles. He just happened to have an unbelievable music career!

In this incredible story, MJ meets a journalist named Rachel, who is given access to the backstage area during the Dangerous Tour. She was there to ask MJ questions about the tour, his preparations, and whatnot. But as the interview continued, questions became more personal, and topics of struggles during his childhood came up. MJ’s manager, Rob, stopped the interview in its tracks. But MJ wants to continue talking to Rachel and even goes as far as disguising himself to be able to go on with the interview. As we get glimpses of Michael Jackson’s life, his incredible music is brought to life with outstanding performances. Fans will get to see three eras of Michael Jackson’s life – from his time with the Jackson 5 all the way to his Dangerous World Tour. 

durham performing arts center mj musical

With over one billion records sold worldwide, Michael Jackson left an incredible legacy that no other artist will able to replicate. His success has turned him into a phenomenal legend that has changed music forever. His influences are still evident up to this day. This is why the showrunners decided to pay homage to MJ’s life with a beautifully produced musical. MJ The Musical premiered on Broadway in 2021. The production featured a book written by Lynn Nottage and choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.

The show also features incredible hits from Michael Jackson’s catalog, including “Beat It,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Thriller,” Stranger in Moscow,” and many more. Aside from his iconic solo works, the musical also performs music from the Jackson Five, such as “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There,” among others. Moreover, this outstanding jukebox musical will also perform some incredible covers, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” James Brown’s “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” and Jackie Wilson’s “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher.”

Since premiering in New York, the musical has now gone on tour for the first time in the U.S. The touring production features a stellar cast comprising Roman Banks and Brandon Lee Harris as Michael, Josiah Benson and Ethan Joseph as Liltte Michael, Devin Bowels as Joseph Jackson/Rob, and Mary Kate Moore as Rachel. Audiences will also get to see some iconic characters, such as Tito Jackson, Quincy Jones, Little Marlon, Katherine Jackson, and many more. The production will feature the incredible work of choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, with scenic design by Derek McLane, lighting design by Natasha Katz, and costume by Paul Tazewell. 

If you think this jukebox musical is just an excuse to put a story behind an artist’s iconic hits, you better think again. MJ the Musical has actually earned numerous accolades, including multiple awards from prestigious organizations. In 2022, MJ The Musical won three Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Orchestrations, Outstanding Light Design, and Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical. That same year, the production also won the Outer Critics Circle for Outstanding Choreography. Last but not least, MJ The Musical is the recipient of five Tony Awards and six Tony nominations. 

“It’s a renouncement worthy enough of a smooth criminal.” – Variety.

“Exciting choreography by director Christopher Wheeldon.” – New York Theater

mj musical durham performing arts center

Besides awards, the musical also made headlines thanks to numerous rave reviews from professional critics. In a review by New York Daily News, the musical was complimented for its genuinely beautiful experience throughout, which one almost never can see about jukebox musicals.” The writer also added that the show has “gorgeously executed celebration of a pained subject’s artistry.” Moreover, the Washington Post praised the musical for its excellent team, “the creative team’s painstaking work has resulted in a riveting, adrenaline rush of a show, propelled by remarkable dancing and a mesmerizing central performance by Myles Frost as the sleek, soft-spoken pop megastar.”

As MJ The Musical hits the road this 2023 to 2024 season, fans who are keen on catching the award-winning production can finally get to see the show in their own cities. Making its way to Durham, North Carolina, this fall, MJ The Musical will make Durham Performing Arts Center its home from October 10th to 22nd, 2023. The two-hour and thirty-minute show is guaranteed to entertain musical lovers with its outstanding cast, remarkable music, and excellent scenic design. The  Durham Performing Arts Center is the perfect venue to host large-scale and world-class productions like MJ the Musical. The venue’s top-tier stage facility and modern sound and light technology guarantee a truly exhilarating show that will liven up all your five senses. Meanwhile, guests will be comfortable thanks to the venue’s excellent facilities, easy accessibility, and great customer service. Visiting Durham Performing Arts Center is indeed the ultimate entertainment experience.

Experience the amazing music and incredible artistry of Michael Jackson! Catch MJ The Musical at Durham Performing Arts Center by scoring your tickets through the Get Tickets link now! 

“As the narrative burrows deeper into Michael’s mind, the toll his artistry took on him is clear. He wanted to bring his audiences joyful and spectacular experiences, but he felt isolated and misunderstood.” – Hollywood Reporter.