There has been a lot of speculation recently about whether a Michael Jackson musical will be produced in the near future. A musical about the life and music of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, could potentially be a huge hit, given his massive global popularity and the success of other musicals based on popular music artists like The Beatles and Queen. However, there are also significant challenges involved in mounting such a large-scale production focused on an iconic yet controversial figure.
What are the main rumors about a potential Michael Jackson musical?
Over the past few years, there have been several rumors about a Michael Jackson musical going into development:
- In 2019, it was reported that Jackson’s estate was considering a Broadway musical with lyrical contributions from Jackson himself.
- In 2020, choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and playwright Lynn Nottage were said to be working on an MJ musical for Broadway.
- There have been suggestions that a musical titled “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” was in the works in 2021, but that project appears to have stalled.
- Most recently in 2022, producer Colin Ingram confirmed he had acquired rights to Jackson’s music for a potential show.
However, none of these projects have been 100% confirmed or revealed full creative teams, plots, or production timelines as of yet.
Why a Michael Jackson musical makes sense
There are several reasons why developing a Michael Jackson stage musical seems like an appealing prospect:
- Michael Jackson’s music, dancing, and persona made him one of the most iconic performers of all time.
- Jukebox musicals based on famous musicians’ song catalogs, like Mamma Mia! and Jersey Boys, have found massive success.
- Jackson’s unique style and choreography could translate into spectacular musical numbers.
- Aspects of his life story, like his meteoric rise to fame as a child star, provide built-in drama and plot points.
- A musical would appeal to nostalgic Jackson fans as well as younger generations discovering his work.
- The popularity of music biopics and documentaries have demonstrated there is ongoing public interest in his legacy.
What are the biggest challenges for an MJ musical?
While the idea of a Michael Jackson show makes sense on paper, there are also considerable challenges in actually developing and executing such a production:
- Securing the rights to use Jackson’s music and determining creative control over the project could be difficult.
- Jackson’s complicated personal history and controversies will make telling his life story on stage delicate.
- It may be challenging to find the right balance celebrating his music vs. examining his life.
- Casting a star capable of capturing Jackson’s iconic singing, dancing and performing style will be crucial.
- Large-scale song-and-dance productions are very expensive to produce.
- Previous attempts at Michael Jackson-themed musicals have failed to get off the ground.
Does a musical seem likely to really happen soon?
There is certainly momentum building around a potential Michael Jackson stage musical, especially with the recent confirmation of acquired rights. However, bringing such an ambitious and potentially risky production all the way to opening night is still a major undertaking. Fans hoping to see a big Broadway spectacle around Jackson’s music and stardom may need to wait a bit longer for all the complex pieces to come together. But given the ongoing popularity of his catalog and intrigue around his legacy, it does seem inevitable that some kind of Michael Jackson musical will eventually come to fruition.
The Life and Career of Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson was undoubtedly one of the most famous and influential musicians of the 20th century. Here is a brief overview of his life and career that could provide source material for a stage musical:
Early Life and The Jackson 5
– Born August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana
– Began performing with his brothers in The Jackson 5 as a child prodigy at age 5
– The Jackson 5 signed to Motown Records in 1968 and quickly rose to stardom
– Notable early hits: “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “I’ll Be There”
– Michael transitioned into a solo career in the early 1970s while continuing with the band
Off the Wall and Thriller Superstardom
– Released Off the Wall in 1979, his fifth solo studio album
– Off the Wall was a critical and commercial smash, producing hits like “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”
– His sixth album Thriller (1982) became the best-selling album of all time
– Thriller yielded 7 Top 10 singles including “Billie Jean” and “Beat It”
– He revolutionized music videos and popularized intricate dance moves like the moonwalk
Peak Fame and Controversy in the 1980s
– Jackson’s fame skyrocketed to almost unprecedented heights in the 1980s
– He pioneered the arena-sized world concert tour with Bad world tour (1987-1989)
– Rumors and tabloid controversies around his changing appearance and eccentricities swirled
– Purchased the ATV music catalog in 1985, including rights to the Beatles catalog
– Collaborations with other stars like Paul McCartney and Lionel Richie
Scandals and Career Decline in the 1990s-2000s
– Release of more somber, socially conscious albums like Dangerous (1991)
– First child sexual abuse allegations emerged in 1993, leading to drawn out court cases
– Married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis, in 1994, though the marriage only lasted two years
– Released final studio album Invincible in 2001; afterward focused on child rearing and philanthropy
– Planned major comeback tour This Is It, but passed away suddenly in 2009 before it took place
Analysis of Pros and Cons for a Michael Jackson Musical
Here is an analysis weighting the potential advantages and drawbacks of developing a Broadway musical around Michael Jackson’s life and music catalog:
Pros
Pros | Analysis |
---|---|
Built-in audience | Michael Jackson still has a massive global fanbase hungry for more content and nostalgia. |
Spectacular musical and dance numbers | Jackson’s choreography and videos pioneered stunning visuals that could come to life on stage. |
Compelling personal drama | Moments like the abuse allegations provide opportunities for emotional, character-driven storytelling. |
Strengthens Jackson’s legacy | A musical could help counteract some controversies and celebrate artistic brilliance. |
Cons
Cons | Analysis |
---|---|
Potential backlash | Some may see a big musical as glossing over allegations or exploitation. |
Risk of failure | Past attempts have not succeeded; high costs make it a risky endeavor. |
Complex rights issues | Navigating rights deals with Jackson’s estate could prove challenging creatively. |
Capturing Jackson’s brilliance | Casting stars who can emulate Jackson’s skills could be very difficult. |
Speculation on What Form the Musical Could Take
If a Michael Jackson musical does make it to the stage someday, what might it look like? Here is some speculation on what shape the show could take:
Straightforward Biopic Approach
The simplest version would be a start-to-finish biopic covering Jackson’s life chronologically. This would allow all major career and life milestones to be covered through his songs. It may also appeal most to hardcore lifelong fans who already know Jackson’s story inside out. However, condensing such a long, eventful life into a 2-3 hour show can be challenging.
Abstract Storytelling Approach
Alternatively, producers could opt for a more abstract, artistic approach. For example, using Jackson’s own lyrical themes and music video imagery to drive a loose, fantastical storyline. This would allow for more interpretive dance sequences and creative staging. However, it may be less appealing to audiences expecting a traditional biopic.
Jukebox Musical Approach
Many successful music bio-musicals use the artist’s hits to inspire standalone stories and characters that reflect their essence. This approach with Michael Jackson songs could work well. But weaving a coherent narrative from his eclectic catalog could prove difficult.
Focus on a Specific Era
Rather than a full biopic, the musical could zero in on Jackson’s most iconic eras, like his Off the Wall/Thriller rise to fame or Bad/Dangerous peak popularity. This tightened focus could allow those chapters to be explored more in depth through his music and artistry.
Use of Hologram Technology
Similar to the posthumous Michael Jackson hologram performances seen at awards shows, advanced visual effects could theoretically be used to incorporate a digital Jackson performing alongside live actors. However, this technology is still prohibitively expensive for a full Broadway production.
Analysis of Key Figures Involved in a Potential Musical
For any Michael Jackson musical to become a reality, the involvement of several key parties would be essential:
The Michael Jackson Estate
– Controls Jackson’s posthumous legacy and business interests
– Would need to grant rights to use Jackson’s music and life story
– May want creative control over how Jackson is portrayed
Major Music Rights Holders
– Sony Music and Warner Music own rights to certain Jackson album catalogs
– Their participation would be needed to stage the music
Lead Producer
– Musicals require a driving creative vision and business savvy lead producer
– British theater producer Colin Ingram currently holds musical rights
Writer
– Crafting a book for a musical is an immense storytelling challenge
– Playwright Lynn Nottage was previously linked to a potential project
Director and Choreographer
– Need acclaimed Broadway creatives to handle complex direction and choreography
– Christopher Wheeldon has choreographed major musicals like An American in Paris
Lead Actor Playing Jackson
– Casting Jackson will make or break any production
– Needs to capture Jackson’s charisma and replicate his dancing
Conclusion
In summary, while a Michael Jackson musical seems like an inevitable project given his cultural legacy, the specific form it takes and how it handles the more challenging aspects of his history remains to be seen. Securing the complex rights and creative team needed to properly honor Jackson’s artistry on stage will be difficult. But should a musical come together, the possibilities for spectacular dance, emotionally resonant storytelling, and renewed appreciation of his music are immense. With so many factors at play and his eccentric career to draw from, it’s likely any Michael Jackson show that makes it to Broadway would be a complicated, fascinating, and debate-provoking theatrical event.