Broadway newcomers Austin Rankin and Eric Williams will join the cast of 'MJ,' taking turns as Little Michael. Originally from Las Vegas, Austin debuted on Broadway on Tuesday, June 18. Eric, a native of Georgia, will start performances on Tuesday, July 16.
They will replace current cast members Max Chambers, who departed the production on Sunday, June 16, and Jackson Hayes, who will leave the show on Sunday, July 14.
Rankin and Williams join a cast that includes Joey Sorge as Dave, Antoine L. Smith as Berry Gordy/Nick, Bailey McCall as Rachel, Zelig Williams as Marlon Jackson, John Edwards as Jackie Jackson, Ayana Jackson as Katherine Jackson, Lamont Walker II as Jermaine Jackson, and Elijah Rhea Johnson and Tavon Olds-Sample as (grown-up) Michael Jackson.
'MJ' goes beyond Michael Jackson's trademark gestures and music, revealing a unique glimpse into the creative mind and teamwork that pushed him into legendary status.
With a book written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon, 'MJ' won four 2022 Tony Awards, including Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Myles Frost) and Best Choreography (Wheeldon). Rhea Johnson is currently playing as 'MJ' in the production.
The Broadway production has played to over a million supporters since it started performances in December 2021, breaking the box office record at the Neil Simon Theatre 11 times. The North American Tour is currently performing in Boston, Massachusetts, starring Roman Banks.
On Wednesday, Mar 27, the West End production debuted at London's Prince Edward Theatre, where Tony Award winner Myles Frost performed.
Furthermore, the Tony Award-winning production will premiere in Hamburg, Germany, in fall 2024 and in Sydney, Australia, in 2025.
