MJ the Musical, which currently stars Elijah Rhea Johnson in the title role, celebrated its two-year anniversary on Broadway February 1 at the Neil Simon Theatre. The new musical began previews December 6, 2021, prior to an official opening February 1, 2022.
To mark the occasion, a five-tiered cake from Carlo’s Bakery was brought on stage following the curtain call. Check out the video from the celebration above and photos below.
Since opening at the Neil Simon, MJ has played to over one million
patrons. The production has subsequently launched four additional productions
across the globe.
Elijah Rhea Johnson and company of MJ The Musical
Elijah Rhea Johnson
Brandon Lee Harris, Elijah Rhea Johnson, and Jackson Hayes
Company of MJ The Musical
MJ features a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and a score made up of some of the most popular songs in recording history. Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon directs and choreographs.
Check out MJ the Musical merchandise in the Playbill Store
Detroit native Johnson stepped into the leading role of Michael Jackson in MJ the Musical April 4, 2023, making his Broadway debut. Johnson, who helped develop the role of Middle Michael throughout the workshop process of MJ, succeeded Myles Frost, who played his final performance April 2, 2023. (Frost made history in 2022, becoming the youngest individual actor to win a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical.)
The musical also has sets by Derek McLane, lighting by Natasha Katz, costumes by Paul Tazewell, sound design by Gareth Owen, projection design by Peter Nigrini, hair and wig design by Charles LaPointe, music direction by Jason Michael Webb, musical supervision by David Holcenberg, and orchestrations by Holcenberg and Webb. Casting is by Rachel Hoffman of The Telsey Office.
The show took home four 2022 Tony Awards in total, including Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design in a Musical, and Best Sound Design in a Musical.
Read more about the hit musical in the Playbill Vault.
