I haven't seen anyone else's opinions on the musical yet as I was avoiding everything before seeing it myself.
But here goes!
MJ Musical is very, very different to Thriller Live as its more an exploration of Michael's life in terms of his dreams and nightmares as well as a celebration of his music.
You don't see much of Michael's original choreography in MJ Musical which works because nobody looks great doing Michael's moves.
Thriller Live was about a celebration of his music in a chronological fashion with performers doing Michael's choreography straight.
Where Thriller Live performs full versions of Michael's music in the style we're all used to, MJ Musical performs short versions of the songs very much in a theatrical style. For me, this threw me off and I didn't recognise nearly half the songs at first. I was also in the Grand Circle high up, so there's that.
IMO, MJ Musical really comes alive from the Thriller era onwards. Honestly, I found it slow and boring until then, but it does massively pick up later. The MJ Musical also ebbs and flows in energy levels like a tide whereas Thriller Live hit with energy from the beginning and never let up until the end.
That speaks to a massive difference between the two - MJ tells a story about Michael's life in a non-linear fashion similar to memories. It includes acting scenes for both the Dangerous Tour rehearsals and specific points in his life.
The dancing - for me, I felt Myles Frost isn't good when doing Michael's moves and it shows that the Taleauga brothers themselves haven't exactly studied how Michael moved. When he sidewalks, for example, Myles clearly doesn't slide but lifts the foot he's meant to push against the floor. It is details like that which sell the illusion you want people to buy.
That's where the MJ Musical's creators decision to create their own routines inspired by Michael's classic ones is actually a good decision. It is in these sections that you can see Myles Frost is a pretty good dancer, if a bit heavy footed. Myles can sing and act though - no doubting his quality! He's a very good casting for the show.
Whilst most people are raving about his dancing, my eye was really drawn to the Fred Astaire and Nicholas Brothers dancers - these three are EASILY the best dancers of them all in the show! Myles doesn't look good next to them, especially as they all carry their bodies so much better than he can. And no, Myles doesn't do MJ moves in this section.
Speaking of this section, I'm surprised James Brown wasn't featured in it. Bob Fosse was less of an influence than the others including James Brown. Indeed, the Fosse guy doesn't really do much for the spot either. Wasted opportunity, imo. Before anyone starts, Fosse's main influence on MJ was filming of dances rather than dance moves themselves. Since 2009, he's been overblown in terms of importance for MJ.
For the Dancing Machine robot, I would either pull that one or get a few more dancers who can do that style..I thought just one guy in a yellow shirt pulled it off well enough.
MJ Musical definitely shows how Michael Jackson was one of a kind and never to be repeated ever again. In Michael Jackson, you had ONE person doing everything you saw on-stage to an incredibly high standard. In MJ Musical, Thriller Live and impersonator shows, you cannot realistically have one person doing so many vital elements of Michael's stagecraft.
So, I hope audiences actually do appreciate that aspect. Although I already knew this, I still marvelled anew at just how freakishly good Michael truly was! It's easy to take him for granted which I think the world DID.
In terms of performances as a whole....I must say They Don't Care About Us was my favourite! Everything about it works and it actually is a FRESH take on song & performance. Michael's HIStory tour routine is completely replaced with the Musical's own choreography. IMO, it's not to be missed!
The second iteration of Thriller is also not to be missed! The first version follows the original routine, but the second version later in the show is another fresh take. This one is about how fame has become a nightmare for Michael Jackson. The set is fantastic here - easily the best set of the whole show!
You can see how Smooth Criminal was done on YouTube. Again, it works! But nothing like the original.
For me, it had three standout performances which I've just mentioned there. The rest are very good, but don't quite match up to those three, imo.
My daughter was very impressed with the wee MJ performer earlier in the show.
I'd personally go to see it again - there's a lot of details in the show that warrants further viewings.
Word of warning though - do NOT go into this expecting straight copies of Michael's classic routines like in Thriller Live or every impersonator show! This cast is actually much better too. Mind you, Thriller Live was a completely different kind of show. But I appreciate both MJ Musical and Thriller Live for what they brought to the world in terms of what they wanted to say about Michael's life and music.
Kind of surprised Remember The Time didn't make the cut given the fact MJ Musical is about non-linear memories. Even if they just used the chorus it would have worked well.
Unlike Thriller Live, MJ Musical is NOT the kind of show you stand up and dance throughout. It's heavily story based interspersed with performances of which I felt three were standouts!
BTW, I felt the Thriller era MJ was better at embodying Michael than Myles. He's the guy you see with Quincy Jones and the one holding all the Grammies. But that's just my view.
The toaster jump for the start of the Dangerous Tour indicates the end of the show. Nicely done with just enough time for the moment to sizzle as Michael would have said.
Billie Jean marks the beginning of Act 2. It's short, really - but the sight of the white glove sparkling so brightly you needed shades on DID have the audience break out in pure joy & excitement!
IMO, 3.5 🌟 out of 5. Perhaps I'll like it more on a second viewing to give it 4 which I plan to see later this year.
Go and see it! You won't regret this very, very different experience of Michael's life and music!