UPDATE 2: MJ the Musical will begin Broadway previews July 6th, 2020 and open August 13th, 2020 at the Neil Simon Theater in New York City. Tickets are set to go on sale January 15th, with complete information available on the musicals website.
**
UPDATE: The Michael Jackson musical has changed its name from Dont Stop Til You Get Enough to MJ, according to Variety. Rick Miramontez, a spokesman for the show, said of the change, As the show has evolved through its development process, the production felt that MJ was a better and stronger choice than relying on the title of any one individual song. MJis still scheduled to premiere on Broadway next summer.
**
The creators of the in-the-works Michael Jackson Broadway musical Dont Stop Til You Get Enough have defended their decision to remain with the production in the aftermath of Leaving Neverland.
Michael Jackson Musical Coming to BroadwayMichael Jackson Estate Cancels Musical's Chicago Dates40 Greatest Animated Movies Ever10 Things You Didn't Know About the Beatles' Music
In an interview with the New York Times, Pulitzer-winning playwright Lynn Nottage and director-choreographer Christopher Wheeldon admitted that while they are troubled by the child molestation accusations against Jackson, Were not judge and jury.
Folks have to remember were theater artists that are examining the life of this very complicated artist. We can ask certain questions, but our job is not to answer those questions, Nottage said.
Nottage who drew the ire of Jackson fans when she said of James Safechuck and Wade Robson, the subjects of Leaving Neverland, I think they were telling the truth reiterated that their accusations seem very believable.
Do I believe [Jackson] was a pedophile? I dont know that I can say one way or the other, Nottage told the Times. I dont think any of us can say with absolute certainty, because weve been presented with some information, but Michael Jackson is dead, hes not in a position to defend himself. It does hurt my heart to think about the possibility that it could be true, and I pray that it isnt true, and thats all I can do.
Wheeldon added, The recent documentary is very believable, but our position in making this show is that were trying to make a show thats balanced.
The Jackson estate didnt restrict Nottage and Wheeldon during the creation of the show, and while the jukebox musical might touch on some of the problematic aspects of Jacksons career, the primary focus of our show has always been focusing on Michaels creative process, Wheeldon said.
Originally scheduled to debut on Broadway in the fall of 2019, the arrival of Dont Stop Til You Get Enough was delayed after its Chicago preview run was canceled by the Jackson estate ostensibly due to a month-long actors strike in February; the cancellation coincided with the then-impending broadcast of Leaving Neverland. However, the musical is now back on track and eyeing a summer 2020 Broadway arrival.