“MJ,” the Michael Jackson musical, has moved its world premiere to next March.
The musical, produced by Lia Vollack Productions and the Michael Jackson Estate, was previously scheduled to begin performances at the Neil Simon Theatre on July 6. Now that Broadway theaters are closed through at least early September, the production has moved its first preview date to March 8, 2021, with an opening night on April 15.
This is the second production to reschedule to March 2021, after “Plaza Suite” announced new dates Tuesday for its engagement at the Hudson Theatre. “American Utopia” is currently scheduled to play the Hudson Theatre from Sept. 18, 2020 through Jan, 17, 2021.
Broadway does not currently have a reopening date, and industry members have been looking to January or March 2021 for possible resumption.
Ephraim Sykes is set to star as Michael Jackson in “MJ.” The musical features a book by Lynn Nottage and direction by Christopher Wheeldon.
“MJ” was originally scheduled to premiere in Chicago in the fall of 2019. The producers cancelled that engagement, citing a labor strike, around the same time as the premiere of “Leaving Neverland,” a documentary detailing sexual abuse allegations toward Jackson.
