Full casting has been unveiled for the London debut of the quadruple Tony Award-winning musical MJ which is due to begin performances at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 March 2023 ahead of an opening night on 27 March.
As previously announced Myles Frost will reprise his Tony Award-winning performance as music legend Michael Jackson, reuniting with the acclaimed creative team led by double Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Lynn Nottage (Ruined, Sweat) and director and choreographer, the Tony Award-winning Royal Ballet associate artist Christopher Wheeldon (An American Paris) for the West End premiere production of the musical which celebrates the artistry of the music superstar.
Frost will be joined by Ashley Zhangazha (Guys and Dolls, Royal Exchange Theatre) as Joseph Jackson/Rob, Mitchell Zhangazha (Back to the Future The Musical, Manchester Opera House/Adelphi Theatre) as Michael, Philippa Stefani (Wicked, Apollo Theatre) as Rachel, with singer/songwriter Phebe Edwards as Katherine Jackson/Kate, Matt Mills (Motown The Musical, UK tour) as Berry Gordy/Nick, Rohan Pinnock-Hamilton (Dreamgirls, Savoy Theatre) as Tito Jackson/Quincy Jones, Matt Gonsalves (On Your Feet, UK tour) as Alejandro, Jon Tsouras (Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre) as Dave, Kieran Alleyne (Thriller Live, Lyric Theatre) as MJ Alternate and Standby for Michael, Kwamé Kandekore (The Bodyguard, Adelphi Theatre) as Standby for MJ and Michael.
The cast will also include Derek Aidoo, Morgan Baulch, Milan Cacacie, Spencer Darlaston-Jones, Hanna Dimtsu, Aden Dzuda, Marie Finlayson ,Christopher Gopaul, Kalisha Johnson, Grace Kanyamibwa ,Travis Kerry, Dianté Lodge, Simeon Montague ,George Ross, Lydia Sterling, Toyan Thomas-Browne, Taylor Walker, Charlotte-Kate Warren and Tavio Wright.
MJ will also introduce Jaydon Eastman, Elliot Mugume, Ethan Sokontwe and Dylan Trigger as Little Michael, Cristiano Cuino, Sekhani Dumezweni, Khanya Madaka and Aidan Oti as Little Marlon.
Produced by Lia Vollack, John Branca and John McClain, the musical which focuses on Jackson’s hugely successful 1992 Dangerous world tour, began preview performances at the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway in December 2021 ahead of an opening night in February 2022.
MJ was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, winning four including the Best Choreography Award for Wheeldon, and the Best Actor in a Musical Award for lead Myles Frost for his portrayal of the music legend.
The production also features scenic design by Derek McLane (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), lighting design by Natasha Katz (Once), costume design by Paul Tazewell (Hamilton), sound design by Gareth Owen (Come From Away), projection design by Peter Nigrini (Dear Evan Hansen), hair and wig design by Charles LaPointe (The Color Purple) with musical supervision by David Holcenberg (Matilda), and orchestrations and arrangements by Jason Michael Webb (The Color Purple).
Announcing the show’s London debut last year, writer Nottage said: “As a Black musician and a pioneering voice in the music industry, Michael Jackson demanded inclusion, broke incredible barriers and in the process made indelible music that continues to resonate, delight and move listeners today. I am drawn to his complicated, singular and uncompromising creative process, and to understand where, why and how he made his music.”
Director and choreographer Wheeldon added: “I am thrilled that MJ will come to London, having been embraced by New York audiences since it opened. Michael Jackson had a profound influence on popular culture, as well as all of us as performing artists, and this musical is an exploration of that artistic mind and a creative process which is unmistakably Michael Jackson.
“It has offered us the opportunity to put one of the greatest catalogues of pop music ever written up onstage in a show that combines the thrill and energy of a Michael Jackson concert with a glimpse into a pivotal moment of his pioneering career.
“After many years working with the Royal Ballet and bringing the Tony Award winning American In Paris to the West End, I now very much look forward to bringing MJ to UK audiences.”
Angela Thomas
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