MJ The Musical

With the musical dedicated to the King of Pop in its final weeks in Sydney and about to transfer to Melbourne, ‘fangirl’ Nicole Smith reflects on Michael Jackson’s legacy as an entertainer, and reports on the excitement of a young actor who has scored the role of a lifetime. 

On June 25, 2009, the world was shaken by the sudden, unexpected death of Michael Jackson, the unparalleled King of Pop. Fans across the globe felt an immense wave of disbelief and sorrow. 

For those who grew up emulating his iconic dance moves or cherishing his music as the soundtrack of their lives, the loss was nothing short of devastating. I was one of them. 

I remember the shock and sitting by the TV watching tributes for days with friends and feeling lucky that I had seen him.

When he took to the stage of Parramatta stadium for his Bad Tour in 1987, I didn’t quite make it. We sat outside absorbing the atmosphere, but a few years down the track in 1996 I finally managed to see him at the SCG for the History tour. The spectacle was next level; he was one of the pioneers of a generation. The fans were manic for him. I have a very vivid memory of him with a jetpack blasting off into the sky. At the time I didn’t realise this was indeed history and the last time Jackson would appear in Australia. 

At the time of his passing, Jackson was preparing for his highly anticipated This Is It tour. It was to be a series of 50 comeback concerts commencing at London's O2 Arena. 

For fans who had waited years to see him perform live again, the tour was not just another concert; it was a reunion, a celebration of an unparalleled career that spanned 10 studio albums, three soundtrack albums, one live album, 39 compilation albums, 10 video albums and eight remix albums. 

When Michael Jackson passed away, the world felt an overwhelming sense of loss. Fans, fellow musicians, and world leaders all expressed their admiration and grief.

Sydney’s My88 radio Breakfast DJ Wayne Tunks reflects, “One of Michael’s greatest skills was collaboration. He knew the right people to work with, as producers and writers. Together they created timeless music, especially his 80s and early 90s work. These are the songs that are still played and still loved. The lavish music videos got people tuning in, but the catchy pop tunes kept everyone coming back. Good pop is timeless.”

Social media platforms were flooded with heartfelt messages from fans who shared personal stories of how Jackson's music had touched their lives. Tunks remembers how powerful his music was. “When ‘Man in the Mirror’ came out I was in early high school struggling with self-identity and body issues. The song is an anthem for self-love and acceptance”. 

Vigils were held worldwide, where admirers gathered to honour his memory, often singing his songs and performing his iconic dance moves. Iconic artists like Madonna and Beyoncé shared stories and performed his songs in tribute. Stevie Wonder performed a poignant rendition of one of Jackson's classics, reflecting the sorrow of the music community. In cities like Los Angeles and London, spontaneous gatherings became impromptu celebrations of his legacy.

“The controversy surrounding him will never go away, but neither will the love of his music. They will continue to radio staples and continue to be played at every wedding, birthday and celebration. These are legacy tracks that represent a generation of music,” Tunks said.  

Major TV networks aired special programs featuring Jackson's music videos, concerts, and interviews. Radio stations dedicated entire days to playing his music, allowing fans to relive his incredible contribution to the music world.

World leaders also acknowledged Jackson's influence. President Obama remarked on his legacy, while Nelson Mandela sent a personal note reflecting their friendship.

These tributes underscored Michael Jackson's status as a global icon. “Jackson is just one of three artists who have sold over 500 million albums. The Thriller album is one of the most successful and famous albums of all time. And people still love and listen to the songs to this day. Ask any kid, they know his biggest hits, and the moonwalk,” Tunks said. “Every generation there are artists who don’t follow trends, they create them. There was Elvis and the Beatles, now there’s Taylor and Beyonce. In the 80s, artists like MJ and Madonna set the rules. They created the work, and then everyone else followed. Innovation and a keen eye for what is coming is a true skill that MJ had.”

In 2022, not long after theatres worldwide went dark during COVID-19, MJ The Musical premiered. It did what theatre does best: it connected people and got them to their feet in celebration, once more dancing and cheering for the King of Pop. 

MJ The Musical sweeps the audience into the 1992 Dangerous World Tour as an imagined MTV journalist steps backstage and explores the life of an icon (this was the year before Jackson was the subject of any sexual abuse allegations which is ignored in the production).

The musical follows his early life as a child star through the ups and downs, humanising his struggles and successes with all the music, choreography, and costumes fans knew and loved. 

The musical has an impressive song list, including favourites such as ‘ABC’, ‘Bad’, ‘Beat It’, ‘Billie Jean’, ‘Black Or White’, ‘Can You Feel It’, ‘I'll Be There’, ‘Man in the Mirror’, ‘Smooth Criminal’, and, of course, his biggest hit ‘Thriller’, from the album of the same name which still holds the record as the highest selling ever. 

MJ The Musical went on to be nominated for 10 Tony Awards, winning four, including Best Choreography for the show’s creator, Christopher Wheeldon. 

Playing Michael Jackson ‘senior’ for the Sydney opening is Roman Banks, who played the same role on the US national tour. Fans embraced Banks as he embodied the charisma and style of Michael Jackson. 

The Denver Post wrote that, “What Banks does on stage as MJ is nothing short of miraculous.”

Banks himself said that "Starring in the first national tour of MJ The Musical across the United States was a dream come true. The creative team has created a vehicle to celebrate the artistry and inspiration of one of the most significant black performers the world will ever seen.”

20-year-old newcomer Liam Damons plays ‘middle’ Michael, from the end of The Jackson 5 era. 

Damons was studying to be a journalist, and had a few movie roles under his belt but no theatre experience outside of school, when he sent off an audition tape. He had forgotten about it when an email came through asking him to attend a face to face a three-day audition workshop with the original creatives - who put him through an MJ bootcamp.

“I loved dancing but nothing I was trained in. I loved dancing in a club,” he told Nathanial Cooper on The Front Row Podcast.  

The song they practised was ‘Blame it on the Boogie’.  

“Every person in the audition room was so talented. I was so scared after the first day, (but) you have to fake it until you make it.” 

When news came through that he was to play the role, the South African born teenager was ecstatic. 

“It’s my professional theatre debut, and stepping into a role like Michael Jackson, it's wow, wow!” 

 “If you had told me a year ago that I'd be playing Michael Jackson in the Australian production of MJ The Musical, I would have probably thought you were on some type of drug.

“Since getting the role I've been put through a lot of dance classes. I've been doing hip hop, jazz, ballet, and it's a whole world of its own.” 

Damons also got a trip to Broadway to see the show to help prepare for the role and met the performer playing middle Michael on stage at the time. The character quick changes impressed him. 

“The big ‘Thriller’ number was incredible. I was watching the audience reaction of it as well.”

But his favourite part of the show is ‘Can You Feel It’.

“And I've been practising that song, the dance,” he laughed.

“Obviously, I'm incredibly nervous. You must have some nerves to be successful. MJ has such a big fan base and such dedicated fans. And like I said before, it's such a huge privilege to be able to play him.”

And what big shoes to fill.

Michael Jackson wasn't just an artist - he was a phenomenon. His influence transcended music, touching dance, fashion, and global culture. Fans mourned not just the loss of a musician but the end of a legacy that spanned generations. 

MJ The Musical is playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.

IT OPEN'S AT HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE FROM 9 SEPTEMBER. BOOK HERE.

Photographer: Daniel Boud