Broadway’s Michael Jackson Musical Features Hampton University Student

By Rosaland Tyler
Associate Editor
New Journal and Guide

Hampton University senior theatre major Erik Hamilton is appearing in the national tour of Broadway’s Tony Award-winning “MJ the Musical.”

Hamilton, a 21-year-old student performer from Lorton, Va., plays the role of Jackson when the rock star was in his late teens and early 20s. Hamilton also served as an understudy in the highly-acclaimed production. Hamilton performed in a six-day stop at Chrysler Hall from Feb. 4-9 in Norfolk.

Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams said, “Erik Hamilton’s journey from our theatre program to the national Broadway stage is a testament to the excellence, discipline, and determination that define Hampton University students. His story serves as an inspiration to our entire community and reinforces the impact of a Hampton education.”

Jordan Markus is playing the lead role. Markus is a singer, songwriter, actor, and dancer, who grew up in Georgia and New Orleans. Markus began to be really interested in Jackson after Jackson died in 2009. Markus watched videos on the internet and learned more about Jackson. He began to dance to his music and sing along to his videos. Before long, Markus said, he was an expert at doing Jackson’s famous moon walk.

“I remember as a kid I would always hear his music – in the car, on the radio and throughout my house,” Markus told USA TODAY in a Feb. 2 interview. “My family would be cleaning up the house on Saturday mornings with Michael’s music blasting. My mother loved him, my grandmother loved him and my aunt loved him, so it was just always part of my life,” Markus said. “I fell in love with it, and with each show I’ve done since.”

After several callbacks and auditions, Markus was hired in the summer of 2023. He went to New York and rehearsed for about three months, working with the original choreographer for Michael Jackson’s tours. “MJ” differs from many jukebox musicals. It takes place in a rehearsal hall and tells the story of Jackson preparing for his “Dangerous” tour that was headed for Europe, with many flashbacks to his early life. The musical was written by Pulitzer Prize winning writer Lynn Nottage. The show won four Tony awards.

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Iris Goode-Middleton, director of student theatre and liberal studies at Hampton University, praised Hamilton’s artistry and dedication. She said Hamilton is balancing five online courses with a grueling seven-show-a-week performance schedule.

“When you combine exceptional talent with an unwavering work ethic, the result is excellence – and that is Erik Hamilton,” said Goode-Middleton. “From sitting in the front row at lectures to continuously refining his craft, Erik embodies the spirit of hard work and passion that we cultivate at Hampton.”

Additional performances of the national tour of Broadway’s Tony Award-winning “MJ the Musical,” are scheduled at Neil Simon Theatre in New York from Feb. 8 to March 25, according to ticket sales outlets.