6 reasons why Michael Jackson is still the King of Pop
In honor of Michael Jackson’s 60th birthday, here is a list of why he is still the king of pop music.
USA TODAY
A Broadway blockbuster about the life of one of the greatest entertainers and most influential pop culture icons of all time is coming to Central Ohio. If you want to see it, you’d better get there fast—don’t moonwalk—because tickets are going fast.
The Columbus premiere of the award-winning “MJ the Musical” is guaranteed to be a “thriller,” dancing onto the stage of the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., for eight performances from September 10-15.
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Presented by producers Lia Vollack, John Branca, John McClain and PNC Broadway in Columbus, the jukebox musical centers on the filming of Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous” world tour in 1992. According to Chad Whittington, CEO and president of the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA), the house is expected to be full every night.
“We’ve had great sales. The show is very popular and tickets have been selling fast. There are still a few weeks left to see how sales go, but we’re going to have a great audience for this show,” he said.
“MJ” is part of PNC Broadway in Columbus for the 2024-25 season. Individual tickets, starting at $49, can be purchased at the CBUSArts Ticket Center at the Ohio Theatre, by phone at 614-469-0939 or online at broadwayincolumbus.com.
Ticket buyers can avoid fraud by remembering that CAPA, the Ohio Theatre and broadwayincolumbus.com are the only official ticket sales outlets for all performances at the Ohio Theatre.
Whittington attributed the show’s popularity to Jackson’s reputation as a “dynamic artist.” The internationally acclaimed artist began his professional career at age 5 with his four older brothers as the Jackson 5 and would have turned 66 on August 29. He died on June 25, 2009.
“There are so many songs (in ‘MJ’) that people will recognize. It helps that there’s a lot of excitement coming out of New York. It’s such a well-done show,” he said.
“MJ” not only captures Jackson’s legendary sound and mesmerizing dance moves, but also offers a rare glimpse into the creative mind of the late King of Pop. “It’s not just about the music; there’s a great story too,” Whittington said.
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Lead actor Jamaal Fields-Green has received rave reviews and is the only person to have played the role in all three worldwide productions: Broadway, the national tour and London’s West End, all to sold-out audiences.
“I haven’t seen this touring production yet, but it was almost eerie to watch it in New York,” Whittington said.
“MJ” was created by director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, winner of the 2022 Tony Award for choreography of the show, and playwright Lynn Nottage, the first and only woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice.
The show’s musical direction is by Tony Award nominee David Holcenberg, with orchestration and arrangements by Holcenberg and Tony winner Jason Michael Webb, and musical direction by Victor Simonson.
The production’s creative team also includes an impressive number of Tony and Emmy award winners and nominees, from the set, lighting, costume and sound designers to the projection, hair/wig and makeup artists.
