It was announced earlier this week that the life of pop icon, Michael Jackson, is to be turned into a musical. The ambitious project is being being co-produced by the late Michael’s estate, it will be written by two-time Pulitzer prize winner, Lyn Nottage, incorporating of course, many of Jackson’s mega hits. Choreography will be by Christopher Wheeldon, one of the world’s leading names in the ballet fraternity.
There is no title to the musical as yet and there has been no indication given as to how the creators are wishing to portray Jackson, but no doubt, seeing as his estate is involved, it will be in a positive light. The producers are hoping for a Broadway debut in 2020.
Michael started out as a child star with the The Jackson 5 before going on to achieve global success as a solo artist, his 1982 Thriller remains the top-selling album of all time. In 2009 Jackson tragically died after having taken propofol, a powerful anesthetic administered by his personal doctor to help him sleep. Four years prior the King of Pop was acquitted of allegations of child molestation, accusations which he strenuously denied. There is no doubt that the allegations and subsequent negative publicity in the media had a huge effect on his psyche.
Lynn Nottage is an American playwright whose work often deals with the lives of marginalized people. She is a professor of Play writing at Columbia University. She was the first (and remains the only) woman to have won the Pullitzer Prize for Drama twice; the first in 2009 for Ruined, and the second in 2017 for Sweat.
