Key Takeaways
- MJ the Musical is a Michael Jackson jukebox musical that spotlights his creative process as rehearsals ramp up for the Dangerous World Tour.
- The show is a major Broadway success, winning 4 Tony Awards (including Best Actor in a Musical for Myles Frost).
- With iconic music, high-impact choreography, and a behind-the-scenes framing, it’s become one of the most talked-about Broadway musicals of the decade.
Casting Call: “MJ The Musical” Atlanta Open Casting Call
MJ-Themed Musical Open Auditions
Job Description
A MJ-inspired stage musical is holding open auditions and is looking for standout dancers, singers, and actors ready to bring high-energy performance to the stage. This is a great opportunity for Atlanta-area talent seeking musical theater auditions, dance auditions, and live stage performance roles in a production built around iconic style, movement, and showmanship.
Job Responsibilities
- Audition with prepared material that highlights your strongest skills (dance, vocals, acting)
- Take direction during the audition process and adapt quickly to notes
- Demonstrate stage presence, stamina, and performance personality
- Work collaboratively with choreographers, music staff, and cast if selected
Requirements
- Dancers, singers, and actors encouraged to audition
- Strong stage presence and ability to perform in a high-energy musical environment
- Prepared to showcase your best performance in an open-call setting
- Must be able to commit to rehearsals and performances if cast (details shared during casting)
Compensation
- Compensation details provided to selected performers during the casting process
What Is MJ the Musical?
MJ the Musical is a jukebox musical inspired by the life and artistry of Michael Jackson, built around a key moment in time: the intense rehearsal period just before the Dangerous World Tour begins in 1992. Instead of attempting a cradle-to-career biography, the show leans into what made Jackson a global force—the obsession with sound, movement, and performance perfection.
The musical features a book by Lynn Nottage and direction/choreography by Christopher Wheeldon, blending concert-level energy with a rehearsal-room lens. The result is a stage experience that feels like a polished production and a backstage pass, using Jackson’s catalog to fuel story, memory, and momentum.
Broadway Timeline and Global Expansion
The production was originally set to open on Broadway in 2020, but the launch was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Previews began December 6, 2021, with the official Broadway opening on February 1, 2022 at the Neil Simon Theatre.
From there, MJ expanded beyond Broadway, including a West End run beginning March 27, 2024, scheduled through February 28, 2026, plus additional international productions and tours that helped turn the musical into a global brand.
For entertainment professionals watching the market, the show’s growth is a reminder of how quickly a buzzy Broadway title can become a multi-city ecosystem—creating opportunities across acting, dance, music direction, wardrobe, hair/wigs, sound, lighting, stage management, and touring crews.
Synopsis: A Rehearsal Room That Opens Into a Life
Act I: The Tour Is Two Days Away
It’s June 1992. The company is deep in preparations, and the first show in Munich is just two days away. As warmups begin, Jackson arrives and the energy lifts into “Beat It.”
A journalist, Rachel, and her cameraman Alejandro enter hoping for access. Through interviews and rehearsal breaks, Jackson reflects on childhood pressures, Motown-era memories (including hearing the Jackson family’s work connected to Berry Gordy), and the creative partnerships that shaped his solo superstardom—especially his work with Quincy Jones on albums like Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad.
The act builds toward a major public moment as Jackson presents the tour and speaks about philanthropic goals, threading performance ambition with a broader mission.
Act II: Vision vs. Reality
Jackson pushes bold new staging and production ideas—spectacular, expensive, and difficult to execute. His team worries about logistics and budget, while Jackson doubles down on the belief that the show must be unforgettable.
The story also revisits a painful, widely known moment from 1984: the on-set accident during a Pepsi commercial shoot. As pressures rise, Jackson returns to a core creative mantra attributed to Quincy Jones: keep your faith and protect your vision.
In one of the musical’s most human beats, Jackson slips away from the spotlight by disguising himself as a cleaner—leading into “Human Nature” and a revealing conversation about fame, privacy, and the cost of being constantly watched.
The show culminates as Jackson steps onto the stage, ready to launch the tour—ending with a burst of concert-level momentum.
Music: The Setlist Power of a Michael Jackson Jukebox Musical
As a Michael Jackson musical, MJ delivers what audiences expect: iconic hits, tight transitions, and numbers designed to land like live music videos—only staged for theatre.
Standout songs include:
- “Beat It”
- “Billie Jean”
- “Smooth Criminal”
- “Human Nature”
- “Man in the Mirror”
- “Black or White”
- “Earth Song”
Some performances (notably on October 31) include a special Halloween closing number featuring “Thriller,” a fan-favorite moment that adds extra event-night energy.
Cast, Performers, and Why This Show Is a Talent Showcase
One reason MJ the Musical continues to draw attention in the entertainment industry is its performance demands. The production requires:
- Elite dancers with precision timing and stamina.
- Actor-singers who can handle emotionally heavy scenes and big musical moments.
- Youth performers portraying Little Michael and other early-life roles.
- Ensemble members who can shift between rehearsal realism and full concert polish.
On Broadway, Myles Frost became a standout name—earning a Tony win for his performance in the title role.
Awards, Buzz, and Audience Response
Critically, MJ the Musical sparked mixed reviews, especially around the book and how much of Jackson’s life can truly be captured onstage. But what matters in theatre economics is also what happens after opening night: audiences showed up—consistently.
The show was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won 4, including:
- Best Actor in a Musical (Myles Frost)
- Best Choreography
- Best Lighting Design
- Best Sound Design
The cast recording also earned major attention, including a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album.
Box Office Success and What It Signals for the Industry
The Broadway run has regularly posted blockbuster weekly grosses, and the production has reached major ticket milestones worldwide. This level of commercial performance is part of why MJ is more than a Broadway title—it’s a touring engine.
For working professionals, that success signals stability: when a show sells consistently and expands internationally, it creates longer-term demand for talent across multiple markets and departments.
A Creative Approach That Keeps the Story Focused
Christopher Wheeldon has described the show’s storytelling style as being “anchored” in one key moment—using that time period to unlock memories and meaning, rather than trying to cover every chapter. That structure is exactly why the musical moves quickly, stays theatrical, and keeps the spotlight on the creative process—where rehearsal pressure, conflict, and genius can all collide.
MJ The Musical sounds like an amazing opportunity for performers to showcase their skills in a production that’s already proven to be a Broadway hit! It’s also exciting that Atlanta talent gets a shot at auditions for such an iconic show.