There are so many layers to the King of Pop – Michael Jackson’s life though no one would have even dreamt of seeing it through the lens of musical on Broadway. But it’s soon going to be turned into a reality, yes, Michael Jackson musical is going to become a reality by 2020.
It is being developed by the Michael Jackson Estate and Columbia Live Stage, who also announced the news on Tuesday, and it will align with the life story of Jackson.
Notable and Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage has been roped in to pen the book. Nottage has won the Pulitzer twice, first for Ruined in 2009, which was a play on women in war-torn Congo. And, the second one was a more recent addition, Sweat in 2017, which is about residents in Reading, Pennsylvania, which happens to be one of the poorest cities in America.
This Michael Jackson musical will have a wide range of songs to experiment with, from Jackson’s four-decade-long music career. Hits like ‘Smooth Criminal’, ‘Thriller’ and ‘Beat It’is sure to make it to the musical but what’s interesting is to see the other musical numbers chosen for the show.
Acclaimed director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon will direct and choreograph the show, which also means a large variety of Jackson moves will be incorporated in this Michael Jackson musical. Wheeldon is best known for adapting the 1951 film An American in Paris into a Broadway musical. The show won several Tony Awards, with Wheeldon picking up the trophy for Best Choreography.
While all the good parts of Michael’s career will make their way to the musical, it’s interesting to see if the makers will include the controversial parts of his life. Including his 2005 trial and acquittal over claims of sexual abuse and his rivalry with Prince.
As interesting and exciting it all sounds, this is certainly not the first stage show inspired by Jackson and his life. Earlier, there was Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour and Michael Jackson: One in 2011 and 2013 respectively. Another show about the pop star, Thriller Live, can be seen in London’s West End.
But then this one might beat them all to be on the top, considering the extremely talented names associated with it.
Jyotsna Amla