Live Review: MJ The Musical @ Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne

We open in a rehearsal room: a desk sits stage right; instruments are tucked stage left. The house lights haven’t yet dimmed when, one by one, the actors begin to enter. Dancers stretch. Musicians warm up. The air is thick with anticipation. “Five minutes to Michael,” the stage manager calls. A hum of excitement builds, both onstage and off. And then—suddenly—it’s as if he’s there.

The swagger of his walk, the tilt of the black fedora, the unmistakable electricity that only Michael Jackson could bring. This is MJ The Musical, a dazzling jukebox production created by Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage. 

A thrilling tribute to the King of Pop, MJ The Musical offers a glimpse into the creative mind and relentless drive behind one of the most influential and enigmatic artists in pop culture history.

Currently playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne, MJ The Musical marks the fifth production of the global sensation since its Broadway debut in February 2022. The show earned 10 Tony Award nominations, taking home four wins, including Best Musical.

Since then, it’s played to millions worldwide, including a recent season in Sydney. Now, Melbourne audiences get their turn, with a must-see production that delivers a spectacle worthy of the Jackson name.

MJ The Musical isn’t a history lesson. It’s not a tell-all. It doesn’t dwell on controversy or attempt to reshape his legacy. Instead, the story zooms in on 1992, on the eve of Jackson’s ambitious Dangerous World Tour.

Set against the premise of a fictional MTV interview, journalist Rachel (Penny McNamee) and her cameraman Alejandro (Yashith Fernando) are reluctantly granted exclusive access to Jackson’s rehearsal studio.

What begins as a behind-the-scenes look gradually unfolds into a series of stylised flashbacks tracing the defining moments of Jackson’s life and his evolution from child star in Gary, Indiana, to the King of Pop, all framed by mounting financial pressures, relentless media scrutiny, his own personal ambition and an ongoing question about a toaster lift.

Jackson is brought to life through three distinct portrayals, each capturing a different chapter of life. Little Michael is portrayed by three actors in rotation. On Tuesday night (16 September), Blaiyze Barksdale portrayed Little Michael, capturing the charisma that defined the Jackson 5 era. Though a little tentative at first, Daniel Makunike quickly found his footing, delivering an infectious performance of ABC. 

Making his stage debut, Liam Damons brings eagerness and restlessness to young adult Michael. The Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough / Blame It on the Boogie sequence was one of the night’s most exciting numbers.

But it’s Ilario Grant who commands the spotlight as the adult MJ. Blurring the line between impression and embodiment, he doesn’t merely imitate Jackson—he channels him with magnetic effect. Every breathy word and fluid gesture draws the audience in. You catch glimpses of Jackson in his profile, hear echoes in his voice, but more than that, Grant delivers a deeply authentic portrait of a man burdened by fame and the pursuit of perfection.

Watching the dance sequences, you can’t help but feel awestruck by the sheer skill and precision on display, not only by Grant, who captures Jackson’s physicality and fluid footwork with immaculate control and remarkable fidelity, but by the entire ensemble, whose intensity is something to behold. 

This level of precision is no accident. The choreography, led by director Wheeldon, is supported by a powerhouse team—legendary choreographers Rich + Tone Talauega—who bring decades of experience working alongside the real MJ. 

At the top of Act II, we’re invited inside Jackson’s creative mind in a dazzling sequence that begins with Billie Jean and a moonwalk so flawless it draws audible gasps from the audience. The dreamlike scene unfolds as Jackson’s influences—Fred Astaire, Bob Fosse, and the Nicholas Brothers—appear as living echoes, their signature moves seamlessly remixed into his own artistry.

With his white fedora dipped low and every movement razor-sharp, Grant channels Jackson with spine-tingling precision. Set to a jazzy instrumental of The Way You Make Me Feel, it’s a moment where time seems to pause and the illusion becomes complete. It’s a poignant homage that flows seamlessly into explosive Smooth Criminal.

Featuring blink-and-you’ll-miss-it scene changes, Derek McLane’s scenic design seamlessly transitions between the rehearsal room and memories from Jackson’s past, using countless props and set pieces to create a highly immersive experience. Natasha Katz’s lighting subtly delineates the timelines, guiding the audience through the narrative as many actors take on dual roles. The result is genuinely impressive, making for a dynamic and captivating show. 

The estate-approved production doesn’t shy away from the tension between Jackson’s public and private personas, his complicated childhood, or his fractured relationship with his father, but ultimately it casts the media as the show’s untrustworthy villain, and in doing so, redirects attention away from controversy.

In a striking sequence, the Earth Song / They Don't Care About Us number is staged as a chaotic press conference, with shattered glass and flashing headlines projected behind Jackson, underscoring the relentless scrutiny he faced. Rather than linger on the more difficult chapters, it turns its focus to Jackson’s artistic legacy, immersing audiences in the sound, style, and wonder of an artist at the height of his creative brilliance.

Featuring over 25 hits from the Jackson songbook, MJ The Musical could easily feel like a tribute concert in the wrong hands, but it never does, as the songs are thoughtfully woven into the narrative. Numbers such as the show opener Beat It and Jackson 5 classics are presented as diegetic performances. At other times, the songs shift seamlessly into stylised flashbacks or emotional moments, revealing the complexities behind Jackson’s rise to stardom and the burdens he carried. Stranger in Moscow was a particularly moving number.

In one chilling scene, Thriller is recontextualised as a psychological nightmare, with Joseph Jackson (Derrick Davis) cast as a sinister ringleader. The lyrics take on new meaning as MJ moves like a man haunted, his soul possessed by the very man who drove him. It becomes a stark metaphor for trauma, turning spectacle into something darker.

While the entire ensemble was outstanding, Davis stood out for his intense, nuanced portrayal of Michael’s father and his seamless ability to switch between the dual roles of Joseph Jackson and Rob.

Paul Tazewell, the Oscar and Tony-winning costume designer behind Hamilton and West Side Story, faithfully recreates Jackson’s most iconic looks. From the colourful Soul Train–era suits of the Jackson 5 to the unmistakable red Thriller and Beat It jackets, each look is meticulously crafted.

The glittering Billie Jean ensemble, complete with the iconic white glove, is almost blinding under the stage lights. As MJ holds up each signature item, the audience erupts in applause, a powerful testament to the cultural weight of these pieces. Fans will also recognise the military-style jackets from Jackson’s solo career, the bold blue Grammy outfit, and Jackson’s signature loafers and crisp white shirts, all carefully assembled to honour the unmistakable visual legacy of the King of Pop.

Though Jackson’s live performances are now a thing of history, MJ The Musical brings his exhilarating spirit back to life. For two spellbinding hours, reality is suspended and you truly believe he’s there, right in front of you. If you see only one show this year, make it MJ The Musical.