MJ The Musical captivates Denver at the DCPA
By Jim Lawson on April 11, 2024
MJ The Musical captivates Denver at the DCPA.
MJ revolves around the period leading up to one of Michael Jackson’s Dangerous Tour, considered one of his most daring ventures. It provides a glimpse into the meticulous planning and emotional investment Jackson poured into the tour.
Additionally, it sheds light on the financial risks involved in executing such a lavish concert tour. Featuring over 25 Michael Jackson songs, the musical intertwines rehearsal footage with a narrative that traces Jackson’s journey from his early days with the Jackson 5 to his successful solo career.
The show starts with amazing energy with an amazing performance by Roman Banks, a stellar ensemble and solid band. There is also some funny dialogue built into the script such as Michael telling a reporter, “sometimes you wake up and what to wear something different, like a glove,” and when Michael is commenting on the changing music scene in the 1990’s and says “look at Nirvana, they can’t sing or dance.”
Many of the cast members are double cast. For example, Devin Bowles plays Michael’s father, Joe Jackson, and his stage manager, Rob. And Anastasia Talley plays both Michael’s mother, Katherine Jackson, and Kate, one of his backup singers. Many times, these actors would switch roles within a sentence of each other.
The production is beautifully crafted. For any Michael Jackson fan, this is a must see. The “Thriller” scene is a highlight of the show and not to be missed. MJ is a show that will have you out of your seats singing and dancing along.
MJ runs at the Buell Theater, part of the DCPA complex through April 28th. You can get tickets here.
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