In collaboration with Columbia Live Stage, the Michael Jackson estate has announced that the long-awaited Michael Jackson musical will be going forward under the title Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough — named after the disco hit from the late Jackson’s iconic 1979 album, Off the Wall.
The musical is set to be directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, who became a Tony Award winner in 2015 for best choreography for An American in Paris.
The idea is to celebrate the legacy and “artistry” of Jackson by taking audiences behind the scenes during the ‘Dangerous’ tour back in 1992 — which was both a pivotal and highly controversial period in the Billie Jean singer’s career.
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In the official announcement, the estate revealed that the musical will premiere in Chicago this fall before its run on Broadway.
Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough will also feature an exclusive book designed by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage. She won the prize for best drama for both Ruined (2009) and Sweat (2017) respectively.
The show will feature more than 25 of Jackson’s most beloved hits according to Nottage, who revealed their vision to the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday.
She stated the focus was “the pinnacle of Michael’s career,” following the release of his world-renowned albums, Off the Wall, Thriller (1982) and Bad (1987).
“We want to look at the pieces of his life that went into selecting his song list,” she said. “What were the ingredients of his genius? I really want to unpack who he was and get inside of the machine.
“People just don’t know how much Michael was in control of his own art,” she added. “This image of a gentle, soft-spoken man trumped the reality of a brilliant businessman, producer, songwriter, and designer.”
“The mark Michael left on the world, was one of greatness,” added Wheeldon to the Tribune.
“We are all very clear that we don’t want this to be a concert or an impersonation show,” he stated. “We want it to be a portrait of the artist, a man of contradictions that contained so much beauty.”
“A life like Michael’s was so rich, dense and troubled. But there were these moments of great lightness,” he concluded. “We are interested in celebrating Michael, and in breaking down his songs and really listening to them.”
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Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough will debut at the James M. Nederlander Theatre on Oct. 29 and run through to Dec. 1.
Updates can be found on the official ‘Don’t Stop on Broadway’ website.
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