Danya taymor biography of michael jackson

Tonight, in celebration of Off- and Off-Off Broadway theater, the American Theatre Wing (Heather Hitchens, President & CEO) and The Village Voice (Peter Barbey, CEO) proudly honored the recipients of the 65th Annual Obie Awards.

“There has never been a more important time to gather – even if we can’t be in the same room – to honor the work of the boldest and bravest among us,” said Heather Hitchens during the show. “It’s our collective responsibility to ensure this moment lives up to its promise – by making space for and upholding the voices of artists who will challenge the status quo, move our culture forward, and evolve the landscape of American theatre.”

Hosted by comedian, actor and writer Cole Escola, the prerecorded ceremony premiered on YouTube.com/AmericanTheatreWingand featured performances from Obie Award winners Michael R. Jackson, Saycon Sengbloh, Sahr Ngaujah and LaChanze, who was joined by her daughter, Jagged Little Pill’s Celia Rose Gooding. Additionally, in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of its Obie Award wins, members of the York Theatre Company revival of Merrily We Roll Alongwere joined by members of the original Broadway and 2019 Fiasco Theater revival casts for a special performance of “Our Time.” Songwriter and performer Shaina Taub (The Devil Wears Prada, Suffragist) performed during the In Memoriam.

Guest presenters included Clint Ramos, Craig Lucas, Cynthia Erivo, Dominique Morisseau, Eisa Davis, Emilio Sosa, Heather Hitchens, Heidi Schreck, Katrina Lenk, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Liesl Tommy, Malcolm Gets, Rachel Chavkin, Rachel Hauck, Sahr Ngaujah, Sam Pinkleton and Saycon Sengbloh. During the show, the American Theatre Wing and the Village Voice also honored Michael Feingold, longtime Village Voice theatre critic and former Obie Chairman, with a special citation for his work as a leading voice in theater criticism, his advocacy on behalf of Off- and Off-Off-Broadway, and his 43 years of dedic

MJ is handing out commemorative Playbills exclusively during the month of May with illustrations by Nate Giorgio. Featuring four collectible covers of iconic Michael Jackson poses, the Playbills are being distributed to ticketholders in celebration of the musical's 10 Tony nominations.

Giorgio worked with Michael Jackson personally, creating a series of paintings for Jackson to display in his home, a project which launched a long friendship between Giorgio and Jackson.

Inspired by the life and art of the late Michael Jackson, MJ opened at the Neil Simon Theatre February 1, after beginning previews December 6, 2021.

Myles Frost makes his Broadway debut as the King of Pop in the musical, and has earned a Toony nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actor. The show earned an additional nine nominations for Best Musical, Best Book, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Sound Design, Best Direction, Best Choreography, and Best Orchestrations.

WATCH: Meet Newcomer Myles Frost, Broadway's Michael Jackson

Also in the cast are Quentin Earl Darrington as Joseph Jackson and Rob, Whitney Bashor as Rachel, Gabriel Ruiz as Alejandro, Antoine L. Smith as Berry Gordy and Nick, Joey Sorge as Dave, John Edwards as Jackie Jackson, Ayana George as Katherine Jackson, Apollo Levine as Quincy Jones and Tito Jackson, Tavon Olds-Sample as Michael, Lamont Walker II as Jermaine Jackson, and Zelig Williams as Marlon Jackson. Walter Russell III and Christian Wilsonalternate in the role of Little Michael while Devin Trey Campbell plays Little Marlon Jackson.

The musical features a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and a score made up of some of the most popular songs in recording history. Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon directs and choreographs.

MJ features sets by Derek McLane, lighting by Natasha Katz, costumes by Paul Tazewell, sound design by Gareth Owen, projection design by Peter Nigrini

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Media Contact: John Karastamatis, Sue Toth, Erin Nantais Mirvish Productions

THE OOPS!...WE DID IT AGAIN SEASON

A LARGER-THAN-LIFE SEASON OF 7 SPECTACULAR MUSICALS:

MJ: THE MUSICAL

TELL TALE HARBOUR

& JULIET

SOME LIKE IT HOT

SHUCKED

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL

THE OUTSIDERS

The 2025/26 MAIN SUBSCRIPTION SEASON is made up of seven productions, all musicals.

Four are Canadian premieres, two are Toronto premieres and one is a brand-new sit-down Canadian production of an international smash hit.

David Mirvish said: “Each subscription season is a work in progress for many years, and this coming season is an especially wonderful one. 

“From Canada’s east coast we have the uproarious new musical comedy TELL TALE HARBOUR, starring Alan Doyle.

“From Broadway comes MJ: THE MUSICAL, a thrilling work of music, dance and drama that looks at a pivotal moment in Michael Jackson’s remarkable artistic career – when he was creating the 1992 ‘Dangerous’ concert tour.

“Next, we bring back one of the most popular shows we’ve ever presented, the joyous & JULIET, which had its North American premiere with us in 2022 for too short a run, before taking Broadway by storm. People have been asking us about bringing it back ever since it left, and we’re thrilled to welcome it back for a sit-down production.”

Hannah Mirvish added: “In the new year we have a quartet of Broadway hits from the last two years – all of them Canadian premieres.

“SOME LIKE IT HOT is a sizzling musical adaptation of one of the funniest movies of all time.

“SHUCKED is a riotous and original new musical about one of the most unusual topics — corn. But don’t be fooled; it’s really a trad