The West End debut of MJ the Musical—starring Tony winner Myles Frost, who also originated the role of Michael Jackson in the Broadway production—officially opened March 27, following previews that began March 6, at London's Prince Edward Theatre.
Frost made history in 2022, becoming the youngest individual actor to win a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. The actor, who made his Broadway debut with MJ, also earned a Theatre World Award for his performance as the late King of Pop.
Go inside opening night of the London production—whose attendees included the late Jackson's children, Prince Jackson, Paris Jackson, and Bigi Jackson—in the photo gallery below:
Lynn Nottage
Tavon Lamont
Ross Rayburn and Christopher Wheeldon
Prince Jackson, Paris Jackson, and Bigi Jackson
Bigi Jackson, Myles Frost, and Prince Jackson
Lynn Nottage
Myles Frost
Myles Frost
Inside the Prince Edward Theatre
Myles Frost and company of MJ The Musical
Myles Frost and company of MJ The Musical
Company of MJ The Musical
Frost is joined in the London production by Ashley Zhangazha as Joseph Jackson and Rob, Mitchell Zhangazha as Michael, Philippa Stefani as Rachel, Phebe Edwards as Katherine Jackson and Kate, Matt Mills as Berry Gordy and Nick, Rohan Pinnock-Hamilton as Tito Jackson and Quincy Jones, Matt Gonsalves as Alejandro, Jon Tsouras as Dave, Kieran Alleyne as MJ alternate and standby for Michael, and Kwamé Kandekore as standby for MJ and Michael.
Check out MJ the Musical merchandise in the Playbill Store
Jaydon Eastman, Elliot Mugume, Ethan Sokontwe, and Dylan Trigger alternate as Little Michael, and Cristiano Cuino, Sekhani Dumezweni, Khanya Madaka, and Aidan Oti alternate as Little Marlon.
The company also includes Derek Aidoo, Morgan Baulch, Milan Cacacie, Spencer Darlaston-Jones, Hanna Dimtsu, Aden Dzuda, Marie Finlayson, Christopher Gopaul, Kalisha Johnson, Grace Kanyamibwa, Travis Kerry, Dianté Lodge, Simeon Montague, George Ross, Lydia Sterling, Toyan Thomas-Browne, Taylor Walker, Charlotte-Kate Warren, and Tavio Wright.
The musical 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.
READ: Why Every Night At Intermission, MJ's Myles Frost Practices ‘Billie Jean’
Frost said in an earlier statement, “Working with Chris has always been amazing. He is a visionary, and knowing that we’re now going into his stomping ground, I’m ready for that ride! I’m super excited to bring this show to the West End and to make this a magical experience for everybody.”
Wheeldon added, “I am naturally thrilled to have Myles opening the London company with his knockout award-winning performance. Myles embodies the artistic spirit of MJ but allows his own glorious talent to shine through his portrayal. Working closely with Myles to achieve this is in part what has made this show such a success on Broadway.”
Centered around the making of Jackson's 1992 Dangerous World Tour, MJ features such hits as "Billie Jean," "Beat It," "Man in the Mirror," "Thriller," and "Smooth Criminal."
MJ 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, musical supervision by David Holcenberg, and orchestrations by Holcenberg and Jason Michael Webb.
MJ the Musical celebrated its one-year anniversary February 1 at the Neil Simon. The musical began previews December 6, 2021, prior to an official opening February 1, 2022. The Broadway production previously recouped its entire initial investment.
The show took home four Tony Awards in total, including Best
Choreography, Best Lighting Design in a Musical, and Best Sound Design
in a Musical.
Visit MJTheMusical.com.
