Returning to MJ the Musical for its gala performance feels bittersweet, knowing the show will close its doors in a few months. While it doesn't dig deep enough into who Michael Jackson really was, this production still puts on an incredible show that's well worth four stars.
Jamaal Fields-Green, who played the role on Broadway first, is absolutely brilliant as MJ. He's got Jackson's moves down perfectly and captures that unique voice in a way that feels authentic rather than like an impression. Numbers like "Smooth Criminal" and "Man in the Mirror" are genuine showstoppers—you can feel the same electric energy that made Jackson such a megastar.
The technical side of things is seriously impressive. Derek McLane's sets look fantastic, and Christopher Wheeldon's choreography is explosive and precise. The show uses the Dangerous World Tour rehearsals as its framework, which works really well for stringing together all those classic hits. The lighting, the dancing, the sheer scale of it all—it's the kind of spectacle that keeps you glued to your seat.
But here's where it falls short: the story itself feels safe, almost too safe. The musical sticks to Jackson's genius in the studio and on stage, his drive for perfection, but it tiptoes around the harder truths. His personal demons, the complicated relationships, the controversies that followed him—these all get pushed to the sidelines. A braver show would have tackled these head-on, and it would have been far more powerful for it.
Still, as a celebration of Michael Jackson's music and his massive influence on pop culture, MJ the Musical absolutely delivers. If you love his songs or just want a night of high-energy entertainment, this is a great way to experience his legacy before the final curtain falls.
It runs until 28 February. Tickets: here.