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THE FOUR-TIME TONY AWARD®-WINNING NEW MUSICAL
IS STARTIN’ SOMETHIN’ IN PORTLAND
JULY 15 – 20 AT KELLER AUDITORIUM
Tickets are available on-line at www.BroadwayinPortland.com
If you ever dreamed of witnessing Michael Jackson live in concert, MJ: The Musical at the Keller Auditorium delivers the next best thing—and in some ways, perhaps something even deeper. This Broadway masterpiece isn’t just a celebration of his music; it’s a full-spectrum emotional journey through the complex, often challenging life of one of the most iconic performers in history. From the very first beat to the final blackout, this show doesn’t just entertain—it resurrects the magic having a smile on your face while your toes are tapping to the beat.
For those who grew up in the era of Thriller, Bad, Dangerous, and beyond, MJ is more than a musical. It’s a time machine. It’s nostalgia laced with brilliance. It’s a living, breathing memory of a legend who left us too soon. The production, directed and choreographed by the Tony-winning Christopher Wheeldon, takes audiences behind the scenes during rehearsals for MJ’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour—and what unfolds is a spellbinding, heart-wrenching, soul-lifting retelling of Michael Jackson’s meteoric rise, artistic genius, and personal pain.
More Than Moonwalks
While many jukebox musicals rely purely on music and dance to carry the show, MJ goes far deeper. With a book by Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage, the story is framed by a behind-the-scenes documentary crew interviewing Michael as he preps for his world tour. This device cleverly allows us to flash back through key milestones of his life: from childhood stardom with the Jackson 5 under the intense rule of Joe Jackson, to the breakthrough Off the Wall era, the explosive success of Thriller, the pressures of fame, and the toll it took on his psyche and physical health.
These aren’t just surface-level glimpses—they’re intimate, raw moments that show Michael not just as a performer, but as a human being constantly trying to outrun his trauma while living in the shadow of expectation. Scenes showing his fraught relationship with his father, his complex dynamic with the media, and the burden of being a global icon are woven with empathy and nuance. You could feel the air in the room shift when the narrative touched on the pain he carried beneath the glove and glitter. It was haunting. And it was honest.
The Performance: Not Just a Tribute, But a Transformation
Let’s talk about MJ himself.
Jordan Marcus (in the Portland cast) doesn’t impersonate Michael Jackson—he becomes him. It’s one of those rare performances that makes you do a double take: the stance, the voice, the movement, the sheer presence. It’s surreal. From the smallest head tilt to the sharp snaps of choreography, he channels MJ’s essence with eerie precision. There were moments—especially during “Billie Jean,” “Smooth Criminal,” and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”—when the entire auditorium collectively forgot this wasn’t the real Michael. It wasn’t an actor. It wasn’t theater. It was a concert. A resurrection. A miracle on stage.
The supporting cast also shines, especially the younger versions of Michael—Little Michael Quentin Blanton Jr and Bryce A, Holmes and Teenage Michael Erik Hamilton—who each bring their own magic and emotional weight. Watching Little Michael perform “ABC” and “I’ll Be There” nearly brought the audience to tears. You could feel the innocence, the pure joy of a child in love with music… before the industry swallowed him whole. The ensemble? Electrifying. Every single dancer brought fire, flipping and gliding across the stage like the floor was butter. Their energy was contagious, filling the Keller with the same palpable charge you’d feel in a 100,000-person stadium.
The Music: A Hit Parade with a Heartbeat
You know every single song. And you’ll find yourself lip-syncing, toe-tapping, and emotionally wrecked all at once.
From iconic crowd-pleasers like “Beat It,” “Thriller,” “Bad,” and “Man in the Mirror,” to deeper cuts like “Stranger in Moscow” and “They Don’t Care About Us,” the setlist isn’t just a showcase—it’s a narrative device. Each song is chosen and placed with care, amplifying the story and pulling us deeper into Michael’s world. The music isn’t just performed—it’s felt. You don’t hear “Earth Song” and think of a music video. You hear it and feel the ache in Michael’s voice, the call for healing, the pain of a man pleading for a better world.
One of the most emotionally shattering moments came during “She’s Out of My Life,” where the heartbreak in Michael’s eyes—haunted by isolation and love lost—left the entire audience breathless. It’s not just about nostalgia. It’s about resonance.
The Stage, Costumes, and Lighting: Iconic and Inventive
Set designer Derek McLane, costume designer Paul Tazewell, and lighting designer Natasha Katz deserve a standing ovation of their own.
The stage transforms seamlessly between the rehearsal studio, 1980s television sets, the Jackson family home, and full-blown concert arenas—without ever losing cohesion. Every transition is fluid, smart, and stunning. Mirrors, projection panels, and rotating sets help pull the audience through time and space as easily as MJ’s own moonwalk.
And the lighting—oh, the lighting. Pulsing strobes during “Beat It,” the eerie glow of “Thriller,” the glimmer of “Rock With You.” It’s bold and dramatic when it needs to be, but also soft and ethereal in emotional moments. There’s a magic to how each number is lit—every beam of light feels like it has a purpose. At times, it was hard to tell if we were in a Broadway theater or a sold-out arena.
Costumes were nothing short of phenomenal. They honored MJ’s legacy without veering into caricature. The iconic red Thriller jacket? It’s there. The sparkling glove? Absolutely. Military-inspired jackets, the white socks and loafers, the fedora… every detail meticulously executed. And yet, the wardrobe also evolves—showing not just the icon, but the man behind the icon. We see rehearsal clothes, early Motown suits, casual wear, and costume changes that reflect the internal shift in each phase of his life. It was a love letter to Michael’s style—bold, innovative, and unforgettable.
The Emotional Impact: A Show That Stays With You
Here’s the truth: MJ: The Musical will break your heart a little. And it should.
Yes, it’s thrilling. Yes, it’s visually stunning. But underneath the dazzle is a narrative about a boy who lost his childhood, a man who was never allowed to just be, and an artist who gave the world everything while battling the weight of isolation, scrutiny, and expectation.
For those of us who grew up with Michael Jackson—who recorded Bad off the radio, who studied every move in the “Black or White” video, who sat wide-eyed when he performed at the Super Bowl or debuted “Remember the Time”—this show is soul-level sentimental. It doesn’t just entertain. It reconnects. It reminds you of who you were when you first heard his voice. It makes you realize how much of our culture—our memories, our emotional timelines—are intertwined with his legacy.
Don’t Walk—Moonwalk to the Theater
MJ: The Musical at the Keller Auditorium isn’t just a night at the theater—it’s a communion. A rare, spine-tingling convergence of art, emotion, and genius. Whether you’re a lifelong fan, a casual listener, or someone who’s only known Michael Jackson by name, this production will move you. It will shake you. And it might even heal a part of you.
Because ultimately, MJ isn’t just about a superstar. It’s about the cost of greatness, the fragility of genius, and the enduring power of music to transcend pain, prejudice, and time.
So, if you have the chance—go. Sing along. Cry. Dance in your seat. And when it’s over, stay in your chair for just a moment longer and let it all sink in.
Because that wasn’t just theater. That was magic.
Tickets are available on-line at www.BroadwayinPortland.com
For more information worldwide, visit: www.mjthemusical.com ● Facebook ● Twitter ● Instagram.
Broadway in Portland is a partnership between Portland Opera and Broadway Across America.
The performance schedule for the Portland engagement of MJ is:
Tuesday, July 15 – 7:30 pm
Wednesday, July 16 – 7:30 pm
Thursday, July 17 – 7:30 pm – American Sign Language Interpreted
Friday, July 18 – 7:30 pm – Audio Description
Saturday, July 19 – 2 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 20 – 1 pm and 6:30 pm – Open Caption
