A Broadway musical based on King of Pop Michael Jackson's life is reportedly in the works and set to hit the stage in 2020.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, noted playwright Lynn Nottage is writing the book for the biographical musical. Nottage is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner for the 2009 drama “Ruined,” about women surviving a civil war in the Congo, and 2017’s “Sweat,” which dealt with the plight of Pennsylvania steel workers.
Christopher Wheeldon has been assigned as director-choreographer, THR said. He captured the best choreography Tony Award in 2015 for his debut on the production of “An American in Paris.”
The Jackson musical will focus on the superstar’s years from the time he was the young member of Motown’s Jackson 5 to his explosive solo period with hits that included “Thriller” and “Bad.”
The Michael Jackson estate is working with Columbia Live Stage to develop the stage musical, Rolling Stone reported. The show is still untitled.
Judging from recent Broadway productions based on pop legends, the Jackson musical could become a massive hit. There have been such successes as “Jersey Boys,” which centered on Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and had an 11-year run, and “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” which is now in its fifth year on Broadway. “Tina,” based on the life of Tina Turner, could be headed to Broadway soon.
Broadway is a different venue for recent projects sponsored by the Jackson estate, which have included two Cirque du Soleil performances, “Michael Jackson: One” and “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour.”
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