MJ the Musical is a jukebox musical based on the life of the American entertainer Michael Jackson , focusing on his creative process prior to the Dangerous World Tour. MJ received mixed reviews, but has been a success at the box office. By January , it has grossed over million dollars, [ 8 ] and is one of the highest grossing musical theater productions of all time. In June , the cast members are preparing for rehearsals for Michael's upcoming Dangerous World Tour; the first show in Munich , Germany is in two days.
Rob, their manager, tells them to get into their places and warm up. Michael arrives and watches the process, which leads to the opening number " Beat It ". As Michael shares his newest ideas with Rob, Rachel arrives with her cameraman, Alejandro, in hopes of getting an interview with Michael. He sits with Rachel and recounts some of the terrors he suffered as a child and some of the memorable times when Berry Gordy played his family's hits on his Motown label.
Michael recounts the horrific accident when a spark ignited his hair in the making of an advertisement for Pepsi. After listening to Rob's negative feedback, Michael reminds him of something Quincy said to him, "Keep the faith. Don't let nobody take you down". As the rehearsal continues, Michael tells Rachel how the songs open up to him. During a break, a commotion breaks out. Rob tries to keep Rachel away from Michael and doesn't want her near him, but Michael manages to find her by disguising himself as a cleaner.
He explains to her that the disguise is the only way he can be seen in public, which leads to him singing " Human Nature ". After the rehearsal, Michael explains to Rachel how emotional he feels about being loved by fans and about being teased in the newspapers.
He tries to blame everything sad and unusual about himself on others especially the press but takes sole credit for his good deeds and success. As Rob comes to check up on him, Michael recalls when he played at the Apollo Theater with the Jackson 5 and how he wasn't nervous.
