Michael Jackson "Thriller: the Broadway Musical"

Posted: 1/26/09 at 12:58pm

The Nederlander Organziation announced officially today that is has acquired the rights to Michael Jackson's iconic 1983 music video "Thriller" and plans to turn it into a Broadway musical.

Rumors of the project first surfaced last fall on New York gossip pages. Since the Nederlander Organization controls Broadway in Chicago, that would suggest such a project would start out in Chicago.

"Could be," said James L. Nederlander, the coy lead producer, on Monday morning. "I'd like to."

To come to Chicago, after all, Nederlander would mostly have to do a deal just with himself. "We have a lot of disagreements," he said, "me, myself and I."

"Thriller," which has yet to acquire the rest of its creative team, will be at least a couple of years away. But Nederlander said that Jackson will be personally and fully involved in the creation of the show.
Chicago tribune

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 12:59pm

I thought after SPIDERMAN, I wouldn't be surprised by anything.

Then, this.

[steven22]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 1:00pm

wow

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 1:01pm

There's already a production of this running in London. I read a review somewhere and it wasn't a rave.


http://www.visitlondon.com/events/detail/4202595

Updated On: 1/26/09 at 01:01 PM

[heo1128]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 1:04pm

^Isn't that not based on the Thriller music video, though? I think this is going to be a musical about zombies in a graveyard.....


This makes me so sad. I think b'way is losing its credibility.

Posted: 1/26/09 at 1:05pm

That is a jukebox MJ musical. This is a stage musical based on the Thriller video.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 1:47pm

If Jacko wants to get his feet wet on Broadway, he should do lunch with James Barbour.

I bet they'd have a lot to chat about.

Updated On: 1/26/09 at 01:47 PM

[RomanBartelli]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 1:50pm

OK, I hope that they will do this completely campy and not anywhere near slightly serious. If it's done right, it might be hilarious.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 2:13pm

I smell DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 2:18pm

The difference is that DOTV was actually good in its German form, "Tanz der Vampire." I can't see this going any way but bottoms up no matter where it starts.

The sad part is, I've actually seen plots for Michael Jackson jukebox musicals by name talent that would actually not be too bad (one was a modernization of "The Phantom of the Opera" with Michael as the Phantom figure, and believe it or not, it kicked serious ass - on the page, at least). This, by contrast, doesn't sound like it will do anything special.

[tazber]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 2:28pm

Is it true that James Barbour is set to star?

Posted: 1/26/09 at 2:34pm

No offense Taz but Barbour is white! He can't play a part created by MJ!


R. Kelly will be making his Broadway debut in the role. Everyone says he's going to make quite a splash. As an actor, he's a whiz. I predict he'll be number 1. Urine for a real treat.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 2:37pm

"But Nederlander said that Jackson will be personally and fully involved in the creation of the show."

Didn't we learn our lesson from Taboo? Crazy people shouldn't be allowed near Broadway.

Posted: 1/26/09 at 2:39pm

If you ban crazy people from working on Broadway, the place will be empty.

[tazber]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 2:44pm

Wait, Michael Jackson isn't white?

[danmag]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 2:46pm

Just say NO to Thriller: The Broadway Musical.

Posted: 1/26/09 at 2:53pm

He wasn't white when he made Thriller.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 3:04pm

heo1128, this does look like something new. I noticed they are going to include music from "Off the Wall" also.

[ifuweregay93]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 4:02pm

Oh god!

What's next?

Legally Blonde?
Shrek?
The Wedding Singer?
Xanadu?

I hope NONE of what I mentioned happens.

[ifuweregay93]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 4:19pm

And every night, Michael Jackson will personally tour young male audience members through his dressing room.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 4:21pm

Look on the bright side, maybe he'll write a part for Liza.

[ifuweregay93]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 4:32pm

And the Jonas Brothers!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 4:45pm

Will they dangle a baby from the catwalk?

Will anti-Jehovah Witness protests be held outside the theater?

Will the leading man moonwalk?

[ifuweregay93]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 4:55pm

I'd like to see him moonmwalk into the orchestra pit!

[Madcap Maisie]

Posted: 1/26/09 at 5:03pm

To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about this....