It’s happening. MJ: the Musical, based on the undisputed—and controversial—King of Pop, is coming to Australia.
February 2025 will see the Australian premiere of MJ: the Musical at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. But if you’re thinking this is just another jukebox musical, stroll down memory lane, set to the tune of ‘Thriller’ and ‘Billie Jean’, you’re wrong.
MJ: The Musical is a deep dive into the making of Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous world tour, set in the early ’90s when Jackson was at the absolute height of his fame. A mind-boggling tour in the works, and a creative process that would make even the most seasoned performers tremble in their sequinned boots.
Dangerous?
MJ the Musical has been a hit on Broadway—seen by over a million people, raking in Tony Awards like candy but there’s no denying that it’s also been controversial.
It’s the kind of show that elicits the most dramatic Yelp reviews—either a 5-star frenzy of praise or a scathing critique.
The musical, while offering a front-row seat to the genius behind the moonwalk, tends to skate past the darker chapters of Jackson’s life.
Created by the Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, with a book by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, MJ: the Musical has been crafted with the utmost care.
The show has over 25 of Jackson’s hits, stunning choreography, and multiple actors portraying MJ at different stages of his life. But—and this is a big but—the show makes the choice to stop the story just when things get complicated.
Despite the controversy, the musical is an irrepressible spectacle and a certified Broadway hit.
With production values that make you feel like you’ve time-travelled to the golden age of MTV, the Sydney run of MJ: the Musical is set to be a major event.
You can almost hear the collective intake of breath as Jackson’s legendary tracks fill the theatre, and the choreography begins—sharp, explosive, and occasionally gravity-defying.
This is the creation of Christopher Wheeldon of The Royal Ballet, after all. The dance sequences alone could be worth the price of admission, even if you find yourself quietly debating the ethics of it all during intermission.
To buy or not to buy (tickets)
So, is MJ: the Musical worth your money? The answer, like the man himself, is complicated.
If you’re a fan of Michael Jackson, this is probably a no-brainer. The music, the moves, the memories—it’s all there, wrapped up in a package so slick you might just forget the sticky mess it leaves behind. But if you’re hoping for a nuanced exploration of the King of Pop’s life, you might want to temper your expectations.
This is, after all, a Broadway production, not a documentary. It’s entertainment, first and foremost, designed to thrill, not to provoke deep moral quandaries. And in that, it succeeds spectacularly.
Tickets are going to fly faster than you can say “Annie, are you OK?” The waitlist is already open, and if the Broadway stats are anything to go by, you’ll want to secure your spot ASAP. Because let’s face it, love him or hate him, Michael Jackson is a name that still sells. And MJ: the Musical? Come February 2025, Sydney’s going to be hit with a pop culture explosion that’s equal parts thrilling and knotty opinions.
But isn’t that kind of what makes it irresistible in the first place?
The Year of Theatre?
MJ: The Musical is the third major musical confirmed to hit Sydney stages in early 2025, with Wuthering Heights recently announced along with the major drawcard: Lord of the Rings—A Musical Tale.
Will 2025 be a year full of nostalgic theatre adaptations? We’ll have to wait and see until more productions are confirmed for a Sydney season, but right now things are shaping up nicely to bring a brand new generation into the immersive world unique to these large-scale stage productions.
MJ: the Musical
Where: Sydney Lyric Theatre; 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
When: January 31 – February 15
Tickets: Join the waitlist now to access pre-sale tickets before they go on sale to the public on Monday 2 September.
mjthemusical.com.au
Read More
- Can’t wait that long for your musical fix? Here’s 6 theatre tickets you can book in September
- Want some wellness instead? Check out our guide to the best days spas in Sydney
- Sip on some of Sydney’s history with the Heritage Pub Trail in Rozelle and Balmain
