QPAC

BOOK BY TWO-TIME PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING WRITER LYNN NOTTAGE, DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY OLIVIER AWARD WINNER CHRISTOPHER WHEELDON OBE

After thrilling more than five million audience members worldwide, producers of MJ the Musical today confirmed that the Olivier and four-time Tony Award-winning musical will open in Brisbane at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre in March 2026. 

Tickets for the Brisbane season will be available for pre-sale from Monday 27 October 2025.  

Brought to Australia by leading producer Michael Cassel, alongside original Broadway producers Lia Vollack, John Branca, and John McClain, the Australian premiere season of MJ marks the fifth production of the global hit musical since its Broadway debut in February 2022. Along with acclaimed runs in London, Germany and across the US, Brisbane is the next Australian city set to experience the must-see theatrical event. 

Lia Vollack, MJ’s original Broadway producer, said:
“The global response to MJ has been phenomenal. The entire creative team and I are thrilled to share this extraordinary production with Brisbane audiences, and to showcase the talented company who bring this show to life.” 

Australian producer Michael Cassel said:
“MJ has left audiences on their feet night after night thanks to its scale, precision and sheer electricity, and we’re thrilled to bring that energy to Brisbane. QPAC is the ideal stage for our world-class Australian cast; an ensemble of remarkable singers, dancers and musicians, including Liam Damons, who returns home to Brisbane in one of our leading roles. This production pairs an emotional theatrical story with the kind of big-night impact audiences love, and we can’t wait to share it with Queensland.”

The production is led by Broadway sensation Ilario Grant as MJ, joined by Brisbane’s own Liam Damons, who will open the season in his hometown playing the role of Michael in his teenage years. Damons, who made his professional debut with MJ is currently reprising the role in Melbourne.

Liam Damons said: 
“Being part of MJ has already been such an incredible journey, and opening the show in Brisbane makes it even more special. This has been a huge week for Brisbane with the AFL and NRL, so it’s awesome to have some amazing theatre news to add to the celebrations. There’s nothing quite like performing for a hometown crowd, and I’m so proud to share this story here.”

The current adult cast is completed by Josslynn Hlenti Afoa as Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson/Kate; Conlon Bonner playing the dual roles of Tito Jackson and Quincy Jones; Derrick Davis playing Michael’s father, Joseph, and his tour director, Rob; Yashith Fernando as Alejandro; Wonza Johnson as Berry Gordy and Nick; Tim Wright as Dave; and Home and Away star Penny McNamee making her highly anticipated return to the stage as MTV journalist, Rachel.

The adult cast also features, Ceeko, Albanus Terry Strickland II, Luther Brooks IV, Beth Appiah Cain, Shewit Belay, Martha Berhane, Eric Boyd, Charlie Bryant, Liam Costello, Xavier Gibson, Kyle Kavully, G Madison IV, Loredo Malcolm, David L. Murray Jr, Sebaga Neumann, Coby Njoroge, Warren Nolan Jr, Fletcher O'Leary, Brittany Page, Dustin Praylow, Tigist Strode and Iris Wei.

Set in 1992, MJ offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Michael Jackson’s iconic Dangerous World Tour. The production goes far beyond the signature moves and global hits, inviting audiences in to share in the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status, brought to life through the lens of an MTV journalist granted rare rehearsal-room access. From the mind of two-time Pulitzer Prize winning Lynn Nottage (Ruined, Sweat), MJ explores intimate moments from the complex history of Jackson’s life as he attempts to align the Dangerous World Tour to his creative genius. 

Seen by over five million people worldwide, MJ was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, winning four including Best Choreography for the show’s creator, Artistic Associate of The Royal Ballet Christopher Wheeldon OBE (An American in Paris) and Best Actor in a Musical for the show’s original Broadway star, Myles Frost. Most recently, MJ received three Olivier Award nominations, with Christopher Wheeldon OBE taking home the award for Best Theatre Choreography.

Featuring more than 25 of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits - including 'Beat It', 'Smooth Criminal', 'Man in The Mirror' and 'Thriller' - MJ has captured the hearts and imaginations of packed houses around the world. Australian fans have gone wild for MJ, describing it as “the most incredible thing I’ve seen in my life” and “mind-blowing”. 

The internationally renowned creative team for MJ also includes Scenic Design by Tony Award and two-time Emmy Award winner Derek McLane (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), Lighting Design by six-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz (Once), Costume Design by Tony, Emmy, and most recently Academy Award winner Paul Tazewell (Hamilton, Wicked), Sound Design by Tony Award and Olivier Award winning Gareth Owen (Come From Away), Projection Design by two-time Tony Award nominee Peter Nigrini (Dear Evan Hansen), Hair & Wig Design by two-time Emmy Award nominee Charles LaPointe (The Color Purple) and Make-up Design by Joe Dulude II. Musical Supervision is by Tony Award nominee David Holcenberg (Matilda), and the Orchestrations and Arrangements are by David Holcenberg and Tony Award winner Jason Michael Webb (The Color Purple). Casting Director for the Australian Production is Lauren Wiley with Additional Casting by The Telsey Office (Rachel Hoffman, CSA & Lindsay Levine, CSA).

ABOUT MICHAEL CASSEL GROUP

Michael Cassel Group produces the world’s greatest theatrical productions and live entertainment on stages internationally. Current productions include the Australian premieres of MJ the Musical and Beetlejuice the Musical.

On Broadway, the company produced Sydney Theatre Company’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, which earned six nominations at the 78th Annual Tony Awards, receiving two wins including Sarah Snook for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play.

Also on Broadway, Michael Cassel Group is a co-producer the smash hit MJ the Musical and is a co-producer of The Hello Girls at Syracuse Stage in New York.

In 2026, the company will present a bold new West End production of Dracula, starring Cynthia Erivo and helmed by Tony-nominated Kip Williams.

Past Australian productions include Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, & Juliet, Beetlejuice the Musical, Dear Evan Hansen, Mary Poppins, Titanique, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Les Misérables, Kinky Boots, Singin’ In The Rain and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. International tours include Hamilton, The Lion King and Les Misérables throughout Asia and the upcoming international tour of Beetlejuice the Musical.

Broadway and West End credits include Into The Woods, Almost Famous, Redwood, Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, The Prince of Egypt, Pretty Woman and The Cher Show. Concert and event highlights include The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Celeste Barber, Not Now, Not Ever: Live on Stage with Julia Gillard, Patti LuPone: A Life In Notes, Tina Arena, Darren Criss and Lea Salonga.

On screen, Michael Cassel Group created and produced A (Very) Musical Christmas (including the accompanying cast recording), the opening celebration of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at ANZ Stadium.

Michael Cassel Group also represents The Hon. Julia Gillard AC, Liz Hayes, Lord Sebastian Coe CH, KBE, Sonia Kruger’s Strictly You, Sarah di Lorenzo and Sami Lukis. Its ticketing division, TixTrack Australasia, supports major arts institutions across Australia and New Zealand. 

In 2025, the company expanded into recorded music with the launch of Michael Cassel Music. The label’s debut release, Taking Chances, a pulsing house anthem performed by Titanique star Marney McQueen and produced by ARIA #1 club chart producer James Alexandr.

Michael Cassel Group is headquartered in Sydney, with offices in New York, London, Singapore and Melbourne.