“MJ The Musical,” a production set to captivate Broadway in Cincinnati, will offer a dynamic portrayal of the creative brilliance of Michael Jackson. The tour of this musical endeavor, featuring Tony Award-winning lighting design, will illuminate the artist’s artistry and formative years, underscored by over 25 of his iconic hits.
Natasha Katz, an acclaimed luminary in the realm of lighting design with over 60 Broadway productions and ballets to her credit, engaged in a conversation with CityBeat to share her insights. She detailed her process, shaped by the script, noting her initial reaction as a pivotal factor, aligning her perspective with the audience’s experience.
The journey commences with the script authored by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, who crafted the foundation for “MJ The Musical.” Katz shared her approach, emphasizing, “I read it from the storytelling and emotional point of view. I try to reconnect with my initial response, akin to my first experience of witnessing a show live. This enables me to gauge the audience’s journey.”
Collaborating closely with director Christopher Wheeldon, Katz highlighted the significance of aligning with the director’s vision. She underscored the depth of this connection, which has been cultivated through numerous collaborative endeavors spanning two decades. Their shared history includes projects such as the acclaimed 2015 stage adaptation of “An American in Paris,” for which Katz received a Tony Award for her lighting design.
Elaborating on the interplay between scenic and lighting design, Katz elucidated, “The director engages with the set designer prior to collaborating with the lighting designer. This sequence facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the environment and the narrative intent. Technical aspects intersect with considerations of spatial arrangement, contributing to the storytelling.”
Katz highlighted the director’s paramount role in conveying narratives through physical movement, lauding Wheeldon’s ability to infuse emotion into characters without resorting to words or music. Describing their collaboration on “MJ The Musical,” she noted, “Christopher Wheeldon has adeptly harnessed this talent in the production. He possesses the ability to convey emotions and sentiments nonverbally, an art he has elevated significantly in ‘MJ.’ When you integrate music, light, scenery, and costumes, this amplifies emotions exponentially.”
The production commences with a glimpse into Jackson’s life in a rehearsal room in 1992 as he prepares for his “Dangerous World Tour.” Through ingenious lighting shifts and projection, the narrative transports the audience from naturalistic settings to pivotal moments, such as the Jackson 5’s debut on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1969. Katz noted, “The theater affords the power to evoke transformations instantaneously. ‘MJ’ employs lighting and movement to convey profound changes within mere moments.”
Collaborating closely with scenic designer Derek McLane, Katz incorporated innovative hidden lights into the set to elicit a sense of nostalgia and transport viewers back in time. This technological orchestration melds seamlessly with Wheeldon’s choreography, Jackson’s own artistic genius, and Katz’s meticulous lighting design.
Katz further observed how the production has deepened her understanding of Jackson’s unique contributions. “Engaging with the show revealed to me the exceptional nature of Michael Jackson’s artistry and the groundbreaking essence of his musical ideas. This realization unfolded as I delved into ‘MJ The Musical,’ contributing to a deeper appreciation of his unparalleled genius.”
Cincinnati marks the second stop in the national tour of “MJ The Musical,” which premiered in Chicago. Katz’s expressive lighting design promises to magnify Jackson’s artistic journey, engaging audiences through an immersive and innovative exploration of his musical legacy.
