MJ Current Cast - Worth Seeing?

[macbeth]

Posted: 10/2/25 at 11:33am

I have out of town guests interested in seeing this, has anyone caught the current cast? 

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/19/26 at 6:48am

I went last night on a lottery win haven’t seen the show in about 2 years. (Sidebar: The Sunday night MLK weekend lottery always seems to be my lucky day because I’ve won at least one for the past 3 years).

I have to say that, even though it was the 5th show of the weekend, you wouldn’t be able to tell based on how immaculate the songs are sung and the choreography is performed. This is definitely one of the most well-rehearsed casts on Broadway today, since it feels as fresh as it did when it opened. CHICAGO would be wise to take a few notes.

Of the current cast, Matté Martinez is one HELL of an MJ. Yes, as expected, he nails all the notes and choreography with aplomb, but what I found in his MJ that was missing from others I’ve seen (Myles, Aramie, and Elijah) is a very deep connection to the traumatic aspects of Michael’s personal life. The way he delivers some of the lines and stories, as well as his subtle facial expressions when addressing his father/tour manager, show a deeply wounded man that feels less like an impersonation and more of a studied character. I wouldn’t normally push people to MJ, but I would definitely recommend going to see Matté in the role.

Charles Way was on as middle Michael and it was a refreshing change from Tavon Olds-Sample. Again, seemed a bit more studied as a character than impersonated.

The rest of the cast, even the ones who have been there since the very beginning, are giving their all and haven’t let anything flag in the intervening years. They might be exhausted at the end, but I’ll be damned if they don’t know how to put on a full throttle show.

Also, the audience was really well behaved last night (at least from my vantage Point). There wasn’t anyone singing along obnoxiously, and cell phone use was mostly relegated to the non-English speaking tourists, who were promptly reprimanded by the ushers. 

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 1/19/26 at 9:31am

quizking101 said: "I went last night on a lottery win haven’t seen the show in about 2 years. (Sidebar: The Sunday night MLK weekend lottery always seems to be my lucky day because I’ve won at least one for the past 3 years).

I have to say that, even though it was the 5th show of the weekend, you wouldn’t be able to tell based on how immaculate the songs are sung and the choreography is performed. This is definitely one of the most well-rehearsed casts on Broadway today, since it feels as fresh as it did when it opened. CHICAGO would be wise to take a few notes.

Of the current cast, MattéMartinez is one HELL of an MJ. Yes, as expected, he nails all the notes and choreography with aplomb, but what I found in his MJ that was missing from others I’ve seen (Myles, Aramie, and Elijah) is a very deep connection to the traumatic aspects of Michael’s personal life. The way he delivers some of the lines and stories, as well as his subtle facial expressions when addressing his father/tour manager, show a deeply wounded man that feels less like an impersonation and more of a studied character. I wouldn’t normally push people to MJ, but I would definitely recommend going to see Matté in the role.

Charles Way was on as middle Michael and it was a refreshing change from Tavon Olds-Sample. Again, seemed a bit more studied as a character than impersonated.

The rest of the cast, even the ones who have been there since the very beginning, are giving their all and haven’t let anything flag in the intervening years. They might be exhausted at the end, but I’ll be damned if they don’t know how to put on a full throttle show.

Also, the audience was really well behaved last night (at least from my vantage Point). There wasn’t anyone singing along obnoxiously, and cell phone use was mostly relegated to the non-English speaking tourists, who were promptly reprimanded by the ushers."

Thanks for the review. It is nice to read the show is in good shape after 5 years. Also thrilled the audience was well behaved and people could enjoy the show.