MJ the Musical REVIEW 8 Oct 2025 ***1/2

MUSICAL THEATRE
Music by Michael Jackson. Book by Lynn Nottage
At Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, until Sun 1 Feb 2026
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½

This review appears only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 18 Oct 2025.

MJ The Musical_credit_Daniel Boud_

Michael Jackson’s dazzling catalogue of hits is the true star of MJ the Musical, which bursts with energy from its opening number and never lets up. Songs such as Thriller, Bad and Beat It! are delivered with infectious vitality by a slick ensemble and a vibrant band that channels the pulse of Jackson’s unique sound.

 

Ilario Grant carries the weight of portraying Michael Jackson, a monumental task that he shoulders with skill and commitment. He replicates Jackson’s dance moves and vocal style convincingly, his physicality capturing the singer’s signature blend of fragility and precision. Grant’s singing is outstanding, but his limited acting range and sometimes muffled dialogue detract from a fully nuanced portrayal.

 

As the show’s narrative anchor, Derrik Davis is exceptional. He brings warmth and empathy to Rob, the loyal director of Jackson’s Dangerous tour, while delivering a blistering turn as Joseph Jackson, the domineering patriarch whose greed and brutality scarred his son for life. Josslynn Hlenti Afoa provides balance as Katherine, the devoted mother who turns a blind eye to Joseph’s violence, her bold voice lending emotional heft to the family scenes.

 

Director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon drives the production with seamless, high-octane dance numbers that echo Jackson’s iconic video choreography. The ensemble shines in these moments, executing Wheeldon’s complex routines with precision and flair. However, the spoken

 scenes are static and lose momentum, highlighting the musical’s uneven rhythm between spectacle and storytelling.

Derek McLane’s elaborate set and Paul Tazewell’s vibrant costumes elevate the production visually, conjuring the glitz of Jackson’s world. The framing device—a behind-the-scenes look at rehearsals for the Dangerous tour—interweaves with flashbacks to Jackson’s childhood, his early fame with the Jackson Five, and his struggle against an abusive father and an insatiable appetite for grandeur.

 

Lynn Nottage’s book offers insight into Jackson’s obsessive artistry and fragile psyche but avoids confronting the darker controversies that shadowed his later life. References to “those accusations” are fleeting, keeping the narrative firmly within the realm of admiration rather than investigation.

 

Ultimately, MJ the Musical is a lavish, nostalgic celebration for devotees of the King of Pop—less a warts-and-all biopic than a pulsating homage to his genius and enduring cultural impact.

Ilario Grant, Josslynn Hlenti Afoa -MJ The Musical_credit_Daniel Boud

 

Cast: Ilario Grant, Derrik Davis, Josslynn Hlenti Afoa, and ensemble.

Creative Team: Director & Choreographer – Christopher Wheeldon; Book – Lynn Nottage; Set Design – Derek McLane; Costume Design – Paul Tazewell.

 

cc