‘MJ the Musical’ star Roman Banks on the king of pop

The primary album that actor Roman Banks remembers taking part in at house whereas rising up was “The Final Jackson 5 Assortment.” He remembered dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Rockin’ Robin” together with his household and studying to bounce “Thriller” in the lounge, taking part in the track again and again as he tried to drag down the strikes. Surprisingly, she even came upon that her uncle was featured in Jackson’s “Dangerous” music video.

In August, Banks would be the king of pop when the biographical musical “MJ” begins its nationwide tour on the James M. Nederlander Theatre.

“I need people who find themselves followers of him to have a good time, and I need individuals who have by no means heard of Michael Jackson to have a good time,” mentioned Banks.

ongoing musical After Broadway opens in early 2022It options almost 40 hits from Jackson’s profession as he oscillates between rehearsals for the 1992 Harmful World Tour and flashbacks from Jackson’s life from baby star to famous person. Directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon and that includes the e book by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, the present was produced in partnership with The Michael Jackson Property. Regardless of combined critiques from New York critics, the present garnered 10 Tony nominations and received 4, together with finest choreography.

In a latest interview, Banks mentioned what this chance meant to him and his household, how he approached preconceived notions about Jackson, and the enjoyment and power that got here with portraying the pop icon on stage.

“You already know the music, you already know the strikes,” Banks mentioned. “However how a lot can I present you that you do not know about him? That is an enormous purpose of mine.”

The next discuss has been edited for size and readability.

Q: What was your loved ones’s response while you advised them you have been going to play MJ?

A: It was positively a rising pleasure. I am the one artist in my household and more often than not my household is not that excited as a result of they do not fairly perceive my world. I’ve completed interviews, I have been on TV and I’ve completed photoshoots, and after they see me in costume and listen to me sing, they are saying, “That is actually thrilling to observe.” Now they’re in a spot the place there’s actual pleasure.

Since we grew up with Michael Jackson, I believe that is the primary time I am doing one thing that may really relate to them. They’re clearly going to return to the opening evening in Chicago, however the reality is, I can go to our house theater in Atlanta, Georgia, and so they’ll have the ability to drive by means of the town and say, “My brother’s there tonight. “There’s a actual sense of pleasure for my household that comes with that.

Q: Contemplating that individuals give you preconceived concepts, what was the toughest a part of making an attempt to embody one of these famous person on stage?

A: I grew up listening to a lot of my favourite actors say, “The very first thing I do after I come to a task is to place apart the judgment and see this particular person as an individual. I see them as a complete for what made them nice and profitable and the issues they struggled with.” That is what I mentioned. I used to be like, with a deep respect for all that Michael Jackson was and can proceed to be, I used to be going to dive into it and transfer ahead with out judgment.

I am making an attempt to indicate individuals how till 1992 he was Michael Jackson, his victories and a number of the issues he did not have, that he did not have the instruments to cope with it within the healthiest manner I believe. It is actually nice to take somebody I’d contemplate to be my musical hero and make it extra of an individual for me. It would not really feel so inaccessible now.

Q: What’s your favourite factor you discovered about Michael Jackson that you just did not know earlier than out of your analysis or whereas engaged on the present?

A: To be sincere it is quite simple. My favourite factor rising up was Honey Buns. I liked the Honey Buns, I liked the Krispy Kreme donuts. Rising up in Georgia, we used to go and get the recent, scorching, scorching ones from the press. Studying his autobiography, I discovered that his father introduced them cupcakes sometimes to deal with them, and that was at all times one thing actually particular for the brothers. They ate all of them in a short time.

I discovered how a lot I resembled Michael in some ways. Typically such foolish little issues, responsible pleasures. And typically it is the way in which we see the world and different individuals. I actually needed to look by means of the passages in his e book as a result of it is like, I’ve by no means heard somebody put it into phrases precisely the way in which I really feel.

I perceive now. I perceive that the actors are speaking about their characters – and it is bizarre as a result of frankly, he wasn’t only a character, he is an actual dwelling man – however I perceive after they say that I am pals with this particular person and have the privilege to play. .

Q: What’s your favourite track to voice on the present?

A: Proper now, “Dangerous” is actually enjoyable, particularly since my uncle is in it and typically I do that and take into consideration him. However having that type of “do not mess with me” power can also be actually cool. “Being dangerous is about being adequate to be ‘dangerous’,” Michael writes in his e book. So it feels good to take a seat in that power and say to the viewers, “Yeah, I am dangerous.” However I may positively see one thing else taking place inside a month, which is enjoyable. The viewers will have the ability to expertise this development and this journey, and I am unable to wait to embark on this journey with everybody.

Q: Is there anything you need to share with the readers?

A: I need to inform individuals to return with an open coronary heart. This present takes a variety of power and it takes a variety of pleasure and energy to place this present out. So, I say come able to have enjoyable and have enjoyable, immerse your self not solely within the music and the present itself, but additionally in the neighborhood of individuals round you. That is when the magic of the theater occurs.

“MJ” from August 1 to September 2 on the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St.; Beginning at $52.50 broadwayinchicago.com

Jeral Pierce is a contract author.