The stage at Calgary's Jubilee Auditorium is currently hosting a theatrical phenomenon that is part concert, part tribute, and entirely captivating. MJ The Musical, running until Sunday as part of the 2025 Broadway Across Canada tour, offers audiences a remarkable journey behind the music and the man who became the King of Pop.
A Triumphant Cast Brings Michael Jackson to Life
What makes this production particularly extraordinary is its innovative approach to portraying Michael Jackson at different life stages. Jordan Markus delivers a stunning performance as the 34-year-old Jackson during the final rehearsals for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. Meanwhile, Quentin Blanton Jr. captures the young superstar during his Jackson 5 years, and Brandon Lee Harris portrays the emerging solo artist in his teenage years.
This triple-threat casting approach allows the musical to explore Jackson's evolution as both an artist and individual, with each actor bringing remarkable authenticity to their respective eras.
Electrifying Musical Numbers Steal the Show
The production reaches its peak when the incredibly talented ensemble recreates Jackson's iconic hits. The stage truly comes alive during performances of Beat It, Thriller, Billie Jean, Man in the Mirror, and Bad, generating an energy that had audience members on the edge of their seats.
These spectacular sequences are enhanced by Natasha Katz's dramatic lighting designs and Peter Nigrini's immersive projections, creating a visual feast that complements the musical excellence. The creative team demonstrates particular ingenuity by weaving portions of Jackson's lesser-known songs into the narrative, using lyrics as dialogue that often reveals poignant emotional depth.
Attention to Detail Creates Authentic Experience
Jordan Markus's performance stands out for its meticulous recreation of Jackson's distinctive mannerisms. He captures the singer's famous body elasticity, replicates the seemingly weightless glide that characterized Jackson's dance moves, and perfects those signature vocal whoops that punctuated his performances.
Markus even masters the subtle gesture of pulling at his shirt shoulders, a detail that elevates his performance from mere imitation to genuine tribute. Interestingly, while Markus adopts Jackson's later speech patterns, neither Blanton nor Harris attempts these vocal characteristics, suggesting they were developments of Jackson's mature years.
The musical's book by Lynn Nottage employs a clever narrative device through a fictional interviewer named Rachel, played by Kristin Stokes. This framing allows for seamless transitions between time periods and provides context for Jackson's complex relationship with his father, Joseph.
In one particularly moving scene after young Michael faces criticism from his father, Blanton and Rajane Katurah (as Jackson's mother) deliver a heartfelt rendition of I'll Be There from The Jackson Five's Third Album. This intelligent integration of music and narrative will especially delight diehard fans who appreciate these deeper connections.
Devin Bowles appears in the dual roles of Joseph Jackson and Rob, the director of The Dangerous Tour, suggesting Jackson's lifelong search for father figures despite the trauma associated with his actual father. This casting choice adds psychological depth to the production's exploration of Jackson's personal demons.
MJ The Musical succeeds as both spectacular entertainment and thoughtful examination of one of music's most enigmatic figures. It celebrates Jackson's artistic genius while acknowledging the complexities that shaped his life and career, making it an unforgettable theatrical experience for Calgarians this season.
