Sydney audiences are moonwalking by the thousands to Sydney Lyric to witness the Australian premiere of the Tony Award-winning 'MJ The Musical’.
The spectacular piece of dance theatre opened on Broadway in 2022, where it was seen by more than a million people and won four Tonys, including Best Choreography. It’s now here in Australia, wowing reviewers and Sydney audiences.
Roman Banks stars as the adult Michael Jackson, a role he originated on the US Tour of 'MJ'. A role he says, “really is the role of a lifetime. It’s emotionally complex, physical and demanding – and it’s such a joy to bring some of [Michael's] magic to people. He was an extraordinarily creative artist.”
Roman has been here for about three months thus far, enjoying the beautiful beaches and sun. “It’s so beautiful here,” he says. “I’m loving it, and the audience response to the show has been really gratifying. A lot of people have already come back for a second and third time for more, which is a huge compliment. We’ve been working very hard and having a lot of fun with it.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to bring this kind of joy to people.”
Image © Daniel Boud
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Banks made his Broadway debut in 'Dear Evan Hansen'. It was the first time an African-American performer portrayed the title role.
He was later cast as Howie in Disney+’s 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series', before returning to the stage to tour as MJ in the US national tour.
“As a kid, I didn’t necessarily know where my life was going to lead – it wasn’t until I saw a production of 'Hamilton', as a 16-year-old. It really touched me in a way that I hadn’t really experienced before. I told myself that if it took this much for me to want to know more about this creative world and to be so enthralled by it that it changed my life, I had to do more to change the lives of other kids. I wanted to give that feeling to them.”
'MJ The Musical' delivers an array of Jackson’s greatest hits, including ’Smooth Criminal’, ‘Beat It’, ‘Man In The Mirror’ and of course, ’Thriller’.
“It doesn’t really get better than that back catalogue,” Banks admits. “There are always more we could do, but this show is jam-packed with the hits. It’s such a powerful live experience – physically, vocally and emotionally – and ‘Thriller' is the apex of all those things. It leaves people pretty dazzled.”
How does one study for such a role?
For Banks, the preparation included lots of dancing along to videos, and a deep-dive into all things MJ, from his humble beginnings to his global domination as the indisputable King Of Pop.
Image © Daniel Boud
'MJ' is directed and choreographed by Royal Ballet Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon OBE, who won the aforementioned Tony for Best Choreography. . . So Roman found himself in very good hands in training for the physical demands and precision that the role requires.
"I love acting, but I was not a dancer and was reluctant to call myself that. I don’t know, I grew up loving to dance in my living room, but had no formal sense of training. MJ was it! What a learning curve.”
“I went to a small arts school in Virginia. I did audition for Carnegie, because that’s traditionally the way you make it to Broadway. My career took a different route to entry, but I got there."
The show imagines that an MTV journalist and her camera operator are invited into the rehearsal room, as Michael Jackson creates the 1992 'Dangerous' World Tour concert. It reveals some of his complex history and takes the audience into his creative space, and his struggle for absolute perfection.
“It takes a lot to produce it, so it’s kind of a bonding experience,” Roman says.
“On a personal level, it has been a pretty wonderful experience, too. All of the actors are excellent! For young Michael, we cycle through about four kids. One of the kids is Will Bonner, and his dad Conlon Bonner plays both Tito and Quincy Jones in the show, so they kind of play off each other. They both have incredible voices and it’s super heartwarming to watch them work together.
“I am blessed to be working with so many talented people and finding new friends here. And on a professional level, it is epic. It’s very gratifying that it seems to give people a truly beautiful experience.”
“Come with a readiness to experience radical joy!”
'MJ The Musical' is on at Sydney Lyric until 3 August.
