Do you like Michael Jackson’s Thriller? Of course you do! Now, how about a full-length musical-theater extravaganza based on Michael Jackson’s Thriller? Get ready, because it’s on its way, according to the press release that landed in my inbox this morning. Before you start groaning, consider the fact that "This musical will be the exclusive Michael Jackson authorized version of Thriller and Jackson will participate in every aspect of the creative process." Every aspect! Can you imagine the set designs that guy will come up with? And unlike the awful-sounding unauthorized Thriller Live "jukebox musical" that recently opened in London, this revue will come with a compelling plot — namely, the "horror film spoof" plot of the original "Thriller" video, stretched out to accommodate performances of all kinds of songs from Thriller and Off the Wall. Conclusion: Theatergoers will probably get to see a werewolf* singing "The Girl Is Mine" at some point during the show. What could be more worth an expensive ticket than that?
Okay, look, I have my doubts too. But let’s be honest — there’s a good chance that this musical will end up being more WTF-ishly enjoyable than, say, MJ’s supposed next album. And if all else fails, the producers can always take EW’s Jason Adams’ suggestion and just re-stage that Filipino prison dance number (below)…with werewolves. C’mon, tell me you wouldn’t pay money to see that.
*Important note: According to Wikipedia, Michael Jackson technically transforms into a werecat in the original "Thriller" video, not a werewolf. The press release for this musical says "werewolf," though, so I’ll take them at their word.
More on Michael Jackson and theater:
"Billie Jean" made it on to Michel Gondry’s 25 Classic Music Videos gallery
EW’s Best and Worst of 2008: Stage
Broadway is feeling the economic pinch
Michael Jackson’s new mask inspires…a new song from Slezak?
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Would this be the supposed Vegas show? Or perhaps after its a “hit” on broadway it’s first week, it moves to Vegas?
Isn’t this coming about 25 years too late? All it will do is make Michael Jackson a bigger laughing-stock of a has-been than he already is.
of course i would! Michael is a great artist. a weird one yes. but still an american icon like it or not.
if you based it on his raw talent and leave his personal life out of it it would be a no-brainer.
This clip is too wird for words.
Ugh. Theatre just got a stomachache.
Jackson is too disgusting anymore, pathetic would be a better term.
Jackson is too disgusting anymore, pathetic would be a better term.
I can’t imagine this would be too much wierder than Mama Mia or the Hairspray musical.
Jacko’s creative juices have gone a bit sour in recent years, but I’m always in favor of a comeback. If he can find a way to entertain us while keeping his hands off the underagers, then this should prove to be pretty cool.
This will be the biggest thing to hit broadway. A disfigured musical genius who is reviled and misunderstood by the public haunts them throug song and dance numbers to win the girl!
It’s like Phantom of the Opera only with more crotch grabbing.
and yeah, We do ALL still love Michael!
Perhaps he is innocent and just odd. However, to most Americans Michael Jackson IS a child molester and his career in music is finished. I can’t see any way the public would embrace this or any effort he made. Sad (if he is indeed innocent) but true.
OMG! I wanna see it!
Actually, you’re WRONG. To most Americans, Michael Jackson is a beloved icon and NOT thought of for that media/court crap that tried to ruin his reputation. That family was a lying breeding ground, out for money. I would definitely see this musical, and actually wish he would come out with another album–he hasn’t put out a bad one yet.
Ep Sato his name is JACKSON you got hearing problems? Apparantly some of you don’t hear the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” that often do you? Unless you’ve actually gotten to know him then you really know nothing about him at all. KD and ron that’s actually what could be said about you. Ryan he IS innocent there is not “if” or “but” about it. If there is one very important thing that I learned from that stupid trial is that his music continues to stay in the minds and hearts of people and really amazing when you consider how much the media sensationalize everything MJ does, says or where he goes.
Of course! He’s an icon and musical legend. His music gets everyone dancing…my friends and I would see it in a hearbeat.
look, he’s probably *not innocent* of the charges, but who cares? His old music is still fantastic. Would I allow my child to stay at his house? No. Would I pay to see his music set to stage? Yes.
Will Bubbles be in it? How about Emmanuel Lewis or Macaulay Culkin?
And Michael Jackson — beloved icon??? The one who wrote that sentence is delusional.
I have no idea how they can turn a music video into a musical, but since they have had such great luck turning video games into suck *ss movies, I’m sure it will be fantastic.
If he gets none of the proceeds and part of the proceeds go towards ensuring people like him are thrown in jail, then yeah, I’d go see it.
Apparently, Jason has spent enough time with MJ to have the true, real, inside poop.
YUK
He’s too creepy. Anybody with enough money to see this creep should donate that money to organizations that help victims of sexual abuse.
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Doubts?! This will be the most awesomest thing to ever awesome.
Of course I would… but the question is …. will the THRILLER MUSICAL come to the USA?
shar there is no “probably” and same with you how you don’t seem to hear the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” that often plus Joe in Philly much like you’re an idiot. Wow copygirl little do you realize you’re the one with the issues who needs to get their mind out of the gutter literally.
Why is that some pple have this idea that MJ is a bad man?, may be because you are naive enough to believe all the sh** things some “journalists” wants u to beilieve(and they cash in out of your naivity, while u are just infected with hate to someone u and them dont even know)how can you judge someone when u dont even know him, im a nobody to say anything about his life cause i do not know him, all i know is that when i hear/see him speak in an interview i got a felin this man is a good person some have take advantage of, and finally he is a genious and all geniouses are weir/freaks/crazy whatever you wanna call them, what about W.A.Mozart or Beethoven, or Van Gough or Einstein, well i guess the ones who just WANT TO HATE will hate everybody they can, and of course i’ll go, if Michael Jackson its involved on it, that would be awesome, this man creativity is just killer.
The question is would you go see it: My answer is YES, ABSOLUTELY. You can say all the crap you want on him. But if you actually sit down and take the time to listen to his music, you will find that it remains unmatched to this day. NO pop artist has come close to whay Mike did at the age of 25.
You americans sure hate him, but it doesn’t matter because he is still on top of his game in the rest of the world including UK, France, Japan, Australia etc
I really miss him. A new album will be great. To all the journalist who make money out of him. Please leave him alone. He suffered enough. He is the true talent.
you’d have to be a jackass to enjoy crap like this
Absolutely No