Menu

Topics

Connect

Comments

Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.

Michael Jackson musical to hit Broadway in 2020

Michael Jackson performs at the Super Bowl XXVII Halftime show at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 31, 1993 in Pasadena, Calif. Steve Granitz/WireImage

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.

Story continues below advertisement

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.

Michael Jackson performs in concert circa 1986. Kevin Mazur/WireImage

READ MORE: Michael Jackson released ‘Thriller’ 35 years ago. Why we’ll never see an album like that again

In the official announcement, the estate revealed that the musical will premiere in Chicago this fall before its run on Broadway.

Story continues below advertisement

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.”

Story continues below advertisement

“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.”

Michael Jackson performs on stage at the taping of the ‘American Bandstand’s 50th — A Celebration!’ on May 3, 2002. M. Caulfield/WireImage

READ MORE: Michael Jackson estate calls Sundance exposé documentary ‘outrageous’ and ‘lurid’

Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough will debut at the James M. Nederlander Theatre on Oct. 29 and run through to Dec. 1.

Story continues below advertisement

Updates can be found on the official ‘Don’t Stop on Broadway’ website.

adam.wallis@globalnews.ca

Curator Recommendations
Advertisement

You are viewing an Accelerated Mobile Webpage.

View Original Article