MJ: The Musical
Photo: Daniel Boud
Michael Jackson’s music was the soundtrack to a generation, and MJ The Musical at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre proves his magic is still a thrill-er. This Tony-winning jukebox musical dives into Jackson’s creative genius as he prepares for the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, blending electrifying performances with glimpses of the man behind the moonwalk.
But let’s address the sequinned elephant in the room: the show sidesteps the controversies that shadowed Jackson’s life. Yet, if you can separate the art from the artist, this production is a glittering celebration of his unparalleled musical legacy.
A Hit Parade of Iconic Tunes
The setlist reads like a greatest hits album, seamlessly weaving together Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, Beat It, and countless other classics. The show isn’t just a showpiece of MJ’s solo career; it also ventures right back to the Jackson 5 era to ensure that every fan leaves humming a favourite. The arrangements stay true to the originals while injecting fresh theatrical energy, especially in the ensemble numbers, where the choreography crackles with precision.
Roman Banks and Liam Damons take turns embodying Michael Jackson at different stages of his career, and their performances are nothing short of hypnotic.
From the signature soft-spoken voice to the razor-sharp dance moves, they capture the essence of Jackson in a way that feels both eerily accurate and deeply respectful. The production doesn’t just mimic MJ — it resurrects his spirit through impeccable attention to detail.
Recreating Magic: The Spectacle of MJ
This show isn’t just a concert — it’s a visual feast. The production meticulously recreates Jackson’s most iconic moments, from the Thriller zombie dance to the gravity-defying lean in Smooth Criminal. The staging is cinematic, using projections and lighting to evoke the grandeur of his music videos.
Josslyn Hlenti Afoa, as Katherine Jackson, delivers a standout performance, her powerhouse vocals adding depth to the family dynamics woven into the story. The duet between MJ and Katherine is a touching highlight, grounding the spectacle in personal history. It’s in this scene where Josslyn’s vocal range really shines, as she commands the stage, so much so that she, even briefly, outshines the title character.
The Missing Pieces: A Sanitised Portrait
MJ The Musical doesn’t shy away from Jackson’s personal struggles — his perfectionism, his isolation, his complicated relationship with fame — but it avoids the darker allegations entirely. For some, that’s a dealbreaker; for others, it’s a chance to celebrate the music without the baggage.
Yes, the question of whether we can separate the art from the artist lingers over the production, but MJ The Musical makes its stance clear: this is about the music, not the man.
The show doesn’t ask you to forgive or forget — it simply asks you to remember why Jackson’s art mattered. Whether that’s enough depends on where you stand. But one thing’s undeniable: if you’re willing to embrace the spectacle for what it is — a dazzling tribute to Jackson’s creative genius — then this is an unmissable ride that delivers hit after hit, wrapped in jaw-dropping visuals and electrifying performances.
Until August 3. Lyric Theatre, 55 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont. $70 to $260+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.mjthemusical.com.au
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