Michael Jackson will forever be known as The King of Pop.
He began cementing that title on June 27, 1992, when he launched the Dangerous World Tour in Munich. Before the tour ended 17 months later in Mexico City, Jackson would play 69 sold-out concerts in Europe, Asia and America, entertaining more than 3.5 million people. It followed on the heels of his 1989 Bad tour, with both helping to turn Jackson into a phenomenon, not just a music superstar.
Broadway Across Canada’s production of MJ the Musical, which plays the Jubilee in Edmonton from Nov. 11 to 16, and the Jubilee in Calgary from Nov. 18 to 23, takes its audiences backstage to the rehearsals for the Dangerous tour. Although it features 25 songs, Jordan Markus, who plays Jackson, says the show is much more than a concert.
“There is a character called Rachel, who is a reporter who talks to Michael between songs, so there are flashbacks to moments in his life. He recalls working with Berry Gordy and Quincy Jones, and talks about the time in 1984 when he was making a Pepsi commercial and his hair caught fire due to a pyrotechnics malfunction. He also recalls the early days of The Jackson 5. There is a young actor who plays Michael in that scene. There is also conflict that happens with his manager,” says Markus.
Brandon Lee Harris plays a young Michael with the tour cast of MJ the Musical. Photo by Matthew Murphy
Though he has been playing Jackson on this Broadway tour for more than two years, Markus says Jackson has been a part of his life since he was a child.
“I think I was about six years old when I became aware of him. I would listen to his songs, and by the time I was nine, I was a huge fan. I was dancing and singing to his songs in the living room, and I would dress up as him for Halloween.”
A friend encouraged Markus to audition for the musical, and he recalls, “I auditioned for every role except Michael. Eventually, they told me they were looking at me for the role, and I couldn’t believe it. They said I sounded like him and could move like him. I even looked like him. I look even more like him after the makeup people work their magic.”
Markus acknowledges that Jackson had such a unique voice that listeners instantly recognize.
“Michael was very soft spoken but had a powerful singing voice with an incredible range, but the way he moved was always even more unique and special. He is one of the most phenomenal dancers to ever grace the stage. The show won a Tony for best choreography, so dance is very heavily weighted in this show.”
MJ the Musical from Broadway Across Canada portrays rehearsal scenes for the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. Matthew Murphy photo
When he auditioned, Markus was a self-taught dancer, but since getting the role, he has been taking classes whenever he can, especially ballet.
“Michael said he was influenced by Fred Astaire and Bob Fosse, so, of course, I looked at their work, and The Nicholas Brothers, of course; their tapping is incredible and unmatched. Michael used so many different styles.
“We were very fortunate to have two of Michael’s original dancers give us tips. They were like drill sergeants. They were so precise and such perfectionists, and they said they learned that from being around Michael. They really helped us understand how he worked, which of course is so important for our show because it is supposed to be the rehearsals.”
Markus says he relishes doing all of the show’s numbers, but some are special for different reasons.
“Beat It is the first number we do, and it is such high energy, and so exciting for the dancers and for the audience. Everyone knows Thriller, so they are waiting for that. We want it to be special for the audience. I really like doing Billy Jean because that is the song where he introduced the moonwalk. We’re recreating a moment in time with that song, and it is so beautifully choreographed (by Christopher Wheeldon).
“I think Human Nature is special because the choreography in that number is different than any of the others. I’m not doing the heavy lifting, but the way the ensemble moves is very different than anything else in the show. They look beautiful – it’s a very light, ethereal number.”
Markus feels MJ The Musical is such a great theatrical experience that “even if you’re not the biggest fan of Michael, you’ll be won over. It’s such great music and the dancing is spectacular.”
MJ The Musical opened on Broadway in 2022 and in London in 2024. It was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, including best musical. It has sold more than five million tickets worldwide, making it one of the most successful contemporary musicals. The Australian tour began this year, and an Asian tour is scheduled to begin next year.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source ca.news.yahoo.com ’
