“MJ the Musical” premieres on August 14 at the National Theatre in Washington, DC.
By Kevin McNeir
Especially for the AFRO
When the curtain rises at the National Theater in Washington, DC and the versatile Jamaal Fields-Green takes the stage, you may have to blink twice at the brilliant way the actor portrays the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
In fact, Fields-Green, a stirring actor, singer, dancer, director and writer, takes full control of the stage and promises to have audiences on the edge of their seats in the Tony Award-winning production of “MJ the Musical,” running August 14 through September 8.
The musical revolves around the creation of the Dangerous World Tour in 1992 and offers a unique insight into the creative mind and soul of Michael Jackson, which catapulted the former lead singer of the Jackson Five to global dominance in the entertainment industry.
In an exclusive interview with The AFRO, Fields-Green – who has already earned a reputation as a versatile actor with outstanding performances across multiple mediums – said his goal in the role was to “authentically portray Michael Jackson.”
“Like millions of others, I grew up a huge fan of Michael Jackson. But after learning that I was going to have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to portray him on stage, I knew I had a lot of homework to do,” Fields-Green said.
The actor said he spent countless hours going through footage and videos of the legendary Jackson – watching, listening and learning.
“I often felt like a kid in a candy store when preparing for this role. Michael Jackson’s energy, his movements, the level of his performance are just brilliant,” he said. “I especially love the music and artistry he delivered during the ‘Bad’ era, but as I do my research I keep discovering new things about him. That was my biggest challenge – but certainly not the only hurdle I had to overcome.”
“Look, this is MJ – one of the best, if not the best, to do it. So the stakes are very high. He’s like the ceiling. But every time you think you’re almost within reach, the ceiling goes back up. But it still gives me joy because even though I know I’ll never catch him, I get to chase him, the spirit, the energy, the incredible talent that made Michael Jackson a superstar,” Fields-Green said.
The actor, a New York native who graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in musical theater from the prestigious Hartt School (the University of Hartford’s performing arts conservatory in West Hartford, Connecticut), has dreams that extend beyond the stage, including writing and directing. He recently won Best Action Short Film at the highly competitive Indie Short Fest for his film “The Inevitable.” For him, the award was confirmation that he has what it takes to succeed both in front of and behind the camera.
However, he noted that as an actor in today’s industry, you have to be a true “triple threat.”
“I grew up with a single mother who sacrificed a lot for me. She paid for my private lessons and school and put me through musical theater,” he said. “So I’ve always been focused on my career… on expanding my skills.”
“My teachers wanted me to take on prestigious roles that other black actors had made famous. But I wanted to put my stamp on an Irish monologue and other similar roles. Versatility is the way to go these days if you really want to make it. By the time I was a senior in college, I had already proven my abilities as an actor, singer and dancer. That’s what got me my first big break right out of school: a role in ‘Hamilton: An American Musical.'”
Fields-Green said he has big plans and things he wants to accomplish, but right now he’s focused on just one thing: being Michael Jackson as best he can.
“I realize I’m not Michael Jackson, but after preparing for this role, I think I understand him much better,” he said. “It takes sacrifice and discipline to even come close to his success and ability. You have to give up things – fun times – that many others take for granted. After my freshman year of college, I can’t remember ever being at a party with my friends and classmates. Since then, all I’ve thought about is eating, breathing and sleeping my passion as an actor, singer, writer and director.
“There were a few other brothers who had this role before me, including Myles Frost – who won the Tony Award (2022) for his portrayal of MJ in the Broadway production of the show. But now it’s my role; it’s my time. I want the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony). That means I have work ahead of me… a lot of work.
“I owe it to myself to keep climbing and to my mom, who supports me every step of the way,” Fields-Green said.
For more information or tickets, visit www.broadwayatthenational.com.
NOTE: August brings more news about Michael Jackson, who would have turned 66 on August 29 if he were still alive. Spike Lee recently released a documentary, now available on Apple TV, chronicling the making of Jackson’s fifth solo album, “Off the Wall” – his first with Epic Records after he and his brothers left Motown. The album was released on August 10, 1979. In addition, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Jaafar Jackson, the son of Jermaine Jackson, recently signed with CAA and will make his acting debut in the role of his late uncle in a biopic called “Michael,” set to be released in April 2025 by Lionsgate and Universal Pictures.
