Marshelle Sanders
MJ: The Musical has made its celebratory return to Broadway in Chicago, and while I haven’t seen the show myself yet, the buzz surrounding it is undeniable. Audiences say it’s a phenomenal experience, capturing the very essence of Michael Jackson from start to finish.
At the heart of the production are two standout performers: Brandon Lee Harris, who portrays middle-aged Michael during his pivotal solo career years, and Devin Bowles, who takes on the influential dual roles of Joe Jackson and ensemble character Rob.
In their own words, both actors share just how much this opportunity means to them, and what audiences can expect when they step into the world of MJ: The Musical.
Marshelle Sanders: Hey, Devin! How are you doing today?
Devin Bowles: I’m good, good!
Sanders: You’re currently playing Joe Jackson and a fictional character named Rob in MJ. How does it feel stepping into those roles, especially Joe?
Bowles: It’s liberating. I’m an acting nerd; I love diving deep into character work. I love asking questions about behavior and human nature. With Joe Jackson, I wanted to understand where he came from. I have to give a lot of credit to Lynn Nottage, our Pulitzer Prize-winning writer. She gave me the tools, through her text, to fully live in this character.
Sanders: What was your research process like for Joe? Did you go back and watch interviews or movies?
Bowles: Not really. I wanted to discover the why behind Joe’s actions. What was he afraid of? What was he running from? Joe Jackson and I are polar opposites, so it’s fun for me to explore his mindset, to understand the impact he had on Michael, because that’s key. This show is really about Michael Jackson’s humanity, and Joe, for better or worse, left a major imprint on him.
Sanders: Joe Jackson is often portrayed in a negative light. Through your portrayal, did you discover anything new or surprising about him?
Bowles: Absolutely. Joe was a man driven by concern, fear of failure, and fear of going back to nothing. He carried deep uncertainties and constant worry. He came from real hardship, poverty, and the violence of Gary, Indiana, and he was determined that his children would rise above it all. He wanted them to be the best, no matter what it took.
Joe was a former boxer and spent long, grueling hours as a crane operator at a steel company in Gary. He also had a real passion for music, and he played guitar and even formed an R&B group at one point.
He married Katherine, and together they raised nine children. Joe was undeniably strict, even harsh at times, but he ran the household with structure, discipline, and a clear sense of purpose.
That pressure, that fear of going back to nothing, shaped the way he parented. And while that doesn’t excuse everything, it does help you understand where he was coming from and why he was the way he was.
Sanders: As an actor, what do you hope the audience takes away from your performance, especially ahead of the show opening on the 12th?
Bowles: I want the audience to leave with a deeper understanding of these people, where they came from, and the heart that lived inside them. We do a great job of showing the human side of Michael Jackson.
I want people to see who he was, the humanitarian, the visionary, the heart behind the music. And for me as an actor, I hope people leave with expanded minds. I love the position God has placed me in, and I’m committed to nurturing the gifts He’s given me. They don’t belong to me, I’m just here to use them while I can.
Sanders: Final question: If Michael Jackson were alive today and sitting in the audience watching you perform, how would you feel? And what would you say to him after the show?
Bowles: If Michael were in the audience… wow. I would say three things.
First, thank you, thank you for your art, your impact, and the door you opened for so many of us.
Second, I’d say, “Let’s keep going.” Let’s keep growing, creating, pushing boundaries, and leaving light in the world.
And third, I’d say I’m sorry. I’m sorry for how the world misunderstood you. I’m sorry for the way your efforts to be seen and understood were sometimes met with rejection or distortion.
To a lot of people who’ve felt unseen or misinterpreted. So yeah. Thank you, Mike. Let’s keep going. And I’m sorry.
Brandon Lee Harris: Bringing Middle MJ to Life
Marshelle Sanders: Brandon, how are you today?
Brandon Lee Harris: I’m good! Thank you so much for having me.
Sanders: So, let’s jump in. You’re playing Middle MJ in MJ: The Musical. Is this your first time in the role?
Harris: No, I initially opened the MJ tour in Chicago about two years ago. I’ve been with the tour for a year and a half, but I had to step away due to an injury. I just rejoined the show, so this feels like a full-circle moment for me. This is my first official show back, and it’s such an honor to carry Michael’s legacy. It’s a huge responsibility to fill, but I’m so grateful.
Sanders: When you got the call that you landed the role, how did you feel in that moment?
Harris: It was surreal. My journey with MJ has been a long one. There are three versions of Michael in the show: Little Michael, Middle Michael, and MJ (Big Michael), who narrates the story. At first, I was being called back for Big MJ, and I remember thinking, “Why am I even in this room?” I didn’t know I could do what they were asking for, but I was just excited to be considered.
Then, months later, they brought me back to reading for Middle MJ. After my final callbacks, I got the call in October 2022 to join the tour as Middle Michael. I was mind-blown. I went into the audition not thinking it would happen, and by God, it did.
Sanders: Amen to that! What’s it been like preparing for the role? How are rehearsals going?
Harris: Rehearsals are crazy, in the best way. What’s incredible is that we’re getting to learn directly from people who were actually in Michael’s life. Rich and Tone Talauega, two brothers who danced with Michael and toured with him, are involved in our process.
They’re the ones helping all the Michaels, Little, Middle, and Big, get the movement just right. But they’re not just teaching us how to move like Michael, they’re teaching us how to think like him. His physicality, his musicality, his instincts. Getting all of that into our bodies is an experience I feel so lucky to have.
Sanders: What’s one moment in the show you’re especially excited for the audience to see?
Harris: I play Michael during a fascinating era, when he’s going solo, stepping away from the Jackson 5, and discovering who he is as an artist. The most exciting part for me is our Soul Train sequence. You get a full Don Cornelius moment, and Michael does the robot for the first time. It’s high energy, super nostalgic, and so much fun.
Sanders: So the show covers his life story through flashbacks, right?
Harris: Exactly. The whole show is set in 1992, right before the Dangerous tour. MTV is interviewing him, and during that interview, we flash back through his life, his childhood with the Jackson 5, the Jacksons, and his rise as a solo artist.
Sanders: How do you personally relate to Michael as an artist?
Harris: Honestly, it’s that drive for perfection. Michael always pushed himself to give 110%. He didn’t rehearse to rehearse; he gave a full performance every time. That stuck with me.
I’m the same way; I want my work to be excellent every single time. I don’t want to put anything out unless I know I gave it my all. Michael taught me that even before I started this role, and studying him has only deepened that understanding.
Sanders: The highly anticipated MJ biopic is currently in development. What are your thoughts on it? And how do you feel about Jermaine Jackson’s son, Jaafar Jackson, portraying Michael?
Harris: I’m excited about the film. Telling Michael’s life story on the big screen is going to be something beautiful, and having his nephew Jafaar portray him? That’s special. Who better to carry on that legacy than someone from his bloodline?
Sanders: If Michael Jackson were in the audience today, watching you perform, what would you want to say to him afterward?
Harris: I’d want to say thank you. Michael feels like this otherworldly being now; he’s embedded in American history, in music history. If I had the chance to speak to him, I’d want to give him all the flowers I could.
Without him, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. He’s the blueprint. He’s the reason.
Catch MJ The Musical at the James M. Nederlander Theatre from August 12–24. The show runs for 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an intermission.
For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com and follow @BroadwayInChicago on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and #BroadwayInChicago.
Follow the cast on Instagram: Brandon Lee Harris @brandonharrisofficial and Devin Bowles @devin_bowles
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