‘Still so many questions’: Getting inside the head of Michael Jackson

Roman Banks isn’t keeping count, but others are. And for the record, he’s played Michael Jackson in MJ: The Musical 289 times so far.

Myles Frost debuted the role on Broadway in 2022 – and won a Tony for his efforts – but Banks fronted the national tour in America, travelling the country for months on end, spending hundreds of hours mimicking Jackson’s movements, voice and idiosyncrasies.

Roman Banks as Michael Jackson. MJ the Musical was in development for several years before opening in New York City in early 2022Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Now, the 26-year-old American is set to reprise the role for Australian audiences. And while he might know the show inside out, he isn’t taking any chances.

“Before I even got on the plane, I made sure I didn’t have any apathy,” Banks said in a break in rehearsals at Sydney’s Carriageworks. “I needed to have the mindset of starting afresh … because that’s where you find the magic of Michael Jackson.”

That magic has propelled the musical to more than 1.5 million tickets sold globally, and $US230 million ($368 million) at the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing musicals ever.

Written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ: The Musical is set over two days leading up to the first show of Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous world tour, one year before the allegations of child abuse first surfaced against pop’s biggest superstar.

Michael Jackson performs in Tel Aviv during his global Dangerous concert tour in 1993.Credit: Reuters/Havakuk Levison

Jackson died in 2009. For those involved in the production, Banks included, the question of his legacy remains complicated.

“Something I have learnt from watching great artists before me portray complicated figures is they all go into the learning process judgement-free,” he said. “And this is a musical. We have two and a half hours, which spans a particular time in Michael’s life. We’re not pretending to tell the whole story.

“There will be a conversation around Michael Jackson until the end of time. He is the only celebrity we’ve never figured out; we have so many questions after his passing.”

For producer Michael Cassel, there was no question that this show should come to Australia. A co-producer on Broadway, he was confident the universality of Jackson’s music would transcend the outside noise.

“When I first read the script, it struck me as a unique celebration of Michael Jackson, his obsession with perfection, his creativity, his complexity,” says Cassel.

Liam Damons will make his professional theatre debut as a young Michael Jackson in MJ the MusicalCredit: Dominic Lorrimer

Cassel said the casting process for MJ: The Musical was exhaustive. The intention was to unearth a home-grown Michael for the lead, but after months of auditions, the decision was made to cast Banks.

“We had a small group of people we worked closely with to try and get them over the line,” he says. “But this is a demanding show, musically and physically, and you must deliver it eight times a week.”

That’s not to say MJ: The Musical hasn’t unearthed local talent. Newcomer Liam Damons, who plays the teenaged Michael, has been in MJ bootcamp.

“Vocal lessons three times a week, Pilates twice a week, gym three times a week, and then hip-hop, jazz and ballet dance classes every week,” he said.

Roman Banks in rehearsal as Michael Jackson in MJ: The Musical.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Watching Damons in rehearsal, he looks every inch the seasoned pro. But he admits to “feeling incredibly nervous” still.

Come opening night at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre, there will undoubtedly be nerves all around, from the producers, the cast, and perhaps even the audience. But if you ask Banks, that’s how you’re supposed to feel.

“Nerves are good,” he says. “That’s how you know it means something.”

MJ: The Musical is at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre from March 8, with previews from February 26.

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