Posted Nov 11th 2008 by Karu F. Daniels




Looks like "The King of Pop" is gearing up to take The Great White Way by storm.

A touring musical production celebrating the career of Michael Jackson, titled 'Thriller Live,' is set to begin performances at London's Lyric Theatre on Jan. 2. After three previous U.K. tours, as well as engagements in Germany, Holland and Scandinavia, the limited run will play through April 12.

And Broadway may not be too far off for the show originally conceived and created by executive director Adrian Grant -- a long-time associate of Jackson's and author of 'Michael Jackson – The Visual Documentary.'

According to the New York Post, another musical will be directed by James Nederlander, and will feature the same storyline as the 'Thriller' music video, which centers around MJ who was attacked by a group of zombies on a night out.

Jackson's spokesperson Ramone Bain did not respond to inquiries regarding the production.

Meanwhile, 'Thriller – Live' is directed and choreographed by Gary Lloyd, who has previously worked with Leona Lewis, Robbie Williams, Pink, Anastacia, and Kelly Clarkson. Five-time MTV award-winning LaVelle Smith Jr. also added additional choreography for the show.

"[It] is an uplifting, feel-good show with incredible choreography and sensational songs that everyone knows and loves - it's just the sort of escapist entertainment people need to take their minds off how tough life is at the moment," the show's producer said in a statement.

"[The show] has high production values, a large company on stage and a live band - and it delivers high class entertainment that is suitable for everyone from 8 to 80," he continued. "It's obvious to us from the recent early closing of West End musicals, cancellation of several planned UK tours, and the number of ticket discounts and promotions, that money is extremely tight and a lot of the current shows are struggling to fill their theaters. We want to make sure that 'Thriller – Live' is in the price bracket of as many people as possible."

'Thriller – Live,' billed as "a spectacular, high-octane show specially created to celebrate the career of the world's greatest entertainer and undisputed King of Pop," features Jackson hits such as 'I Want You Back,' 'I'll Be There,' 'Show You The Way To Go,' 'Can You Feel It,' 'Rock With You,' 'She's Out Of My Life,' 'Thriller,' 'Beat It,' 'Ben,' 'ABC,' 'Man in the Mirror,' 'Dirty Diana,' 'Billie Jean' and 'Earth Song.'

The 1982 album, 'Thriller,' is considered the worldwide best-selling album of all time and won 7 Grammy Awards in 1984.

1.Michael isn't involved with Thriller Live, it was concieved and planned by Adrian Grant and fans. It's been going on since about 2006 in the UK

2.Raymone doesn't work for Michael anymore

Exciting news, I gotta see the broadway production!

Finally,an MJ-related project that makes sense.They really should make a stage musical out of his songs.You could take some of his "creepy" songs and make some kind of scary,horror musical based on it...

"Thriller"
"Heartbreak Hotel"
"Threatened"
the songs he performed in "Ghosts"


Plus,he could even contribute some newly written tunes.

New music would be brilliant for sure! If it's a really good song and he really does write classical type stuff, he can combine that with pop and also include it in the musical! I hope to see it!!!

alphastreet said:

Yeah,he could write a bunch of new songs for this show.Add some old songs and it could be an amazing musical.Let's just hope he follows through with it.

I used to suggest back in the Invincible era that he could have done that with the new stuff and be different, but forgot all about it.