Roman Banks takes playing pop icon Michael Jackson seriously. He’s been playing the King of Pop in the touring production of “MJ: the Musical” since August, but still regularly goes

Playwright Lynn Nottage says she wanted the show to celebrate MJ's music and life story, but not necessarily from beginning to end.

MJ the Musical” showcases Michael Jackson’s life through a script by Lynn Nottage, featuring flashbacks, dream sequences, and iconic songs, but carefully avoids Jackson’s most notorious controversy.

There’s little doubt that Michael Jackson was an almost otherworldly talent whose exceptional singing, songwriting and performing made him one of the most famous people on the planet. There’s also little doubt that Jackson lived a turbulent life,

"MJ the Musical," which runs through May 26, had its press opening Wednesday in Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre. The production, choreographed and directed by Christopher Wheeldon, is a smashing triumph.