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Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Is Broadway Bound

1/26/09, 3:50 pm EST

Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is set to make the jump to Broadway. Playbill reports that Broadway bigwigs the Nederlander Organization have acquired the rights to make a new musical based on Jackson’s famous werewolves-and-zombies video. Broadway has already turned the music of the Four Seasons and the Who’s Tommy into musical productions — and somehow recruited U2 to record music for a Spider-Man show — so the prospect of Jackson on the Great White Way isn’t that far-fetched, especially as producers scramble for ideas to draw in big crowds in the wake of large-scale show closings due to the recession.

According to James L. Nederlander, “I love the idea of making ‘Thriller’ a musical. Girl meets boy, they fall in love, boy has big secret, now what…” “Now what” is our thoughts exactly: the concept works great when it’s used in YouTube videos made by French film students lip-synching “Thriller”, Filipino prisoners dancing “Thriller” and impromptu dance troupes on a train, how can a six-minute song/14-minute music video sustain itself over the course of two acts? According to the press release, the musical take its plot from the actual music video, a “horror film spoof in which a young couple are out on a date on a beautiful full moon evening, when suddenly the young man, played by Jackson, turns into a werewolf.” This sounds like it could be Cats, but with zombies instead of kitties.

On a positive note, the musical will reportedly also feature songs from both Jackson’s Off the Wall and Thriller, so you can pretty much expect to see “Billie Jean” and its sidewalk that lights up when you step on it at some point during the production. Michael Jackson will also reportedly be a part of the creation of the musical in some capacity. The creative team and estimated theater dates of the show have not yet been revealed.

Daniel Kreps

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Comments

Schultz | 1/26/2009, 4:54 pm EST

Who cares, really?

Kevin the Robot | 1/26/2009, 4:57 pm EST

Let’s just hope no little boys are going to be cast in the show. That’s one reality show I don’t need to see.

Mary | 1/26/2009, 5:42 pm EST

Could be very good. Thanks for letting us know!!

Jason | 1/26/2009, 5:42 pm EST

Kevin the robot why don’t shut up you sick fuck and I don’t need to see haters like you open your mouth. You care Schultz since you bothered to even comment on it and many others do aswell cus they are obsessed and envious of him.

Trace | 1/26/2009, 5:50 pm EST

I think this is a great idea. I’m looking forward to it. I’m kinda sad for Jackson though. But lets hope is a better person today inspite of. No doubt the guys music is the excellent! Redord breaking, just phenominal. Imageine if he didn’t have all that bad imagery.

Trace | 1/26/2009, 5:52 pm EST

I think this is a great idea. I’m Looking forward to it. I’m kinda sad for Jackson though. But lets hope he is a better person today inspite of. No doubt the guy’s music is excellent! Record breaking, just phenomenal. Imageine if he didn’t have all that bad imagery.

Yea! | 1/26/2009, 6:21 pm EST

MICHAEL JACKSON THE GREATEST ARTIST OF ALL TIME THE TRUE KING OF POP, ROCK & SOUL!

THRILLER FASTEST AND GREATEST SELLING ALBUM OF ALL TIME WITH MORE THAN 110 MILLIONS COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE GUINNESS WORLD BOOK OF RECORDS CERTIFIED!

Amyn Essa | 1/27/2009, 12:25 am EST

Really looking forward to it. I hope and pray for the success of this project. Even Michael once said in an interview that songs from “Off the wall” album are far better than the songs from “Thriller”. I didn’t do well in the market but hope this time it does wonders for Michael. Cheers!

nessa | 1/27/2009, 9:08 am EST

Jason, dont bother to even pay attention to close minded pple like ktrobot or the who cares? person???, Ok I DO CARE, Michael Jackson is a genious, and of course pple of this kind are kinda weird viewed to the limited brain pple, Michael Jackson is just a genious, i’ll go f course i need good stuff, and MJ can deliver of course

yazzmine | 1/27/2009, 11:21 am EST

pple dis is my jam ya juss dnt kno

yazzmine | 1/27/2009, 11:22 am EST

pple dis is my jam ya juss dnt kno

shalia | 1/27/2009, 11:24 am EST

OMG!!!!! this song is like so cool i mean man it expresses ur life and at the same time it’s funny so i wish you the best of luck wit ur songs and albums i’m out be BrEzzy this be ya girl the one and only ~dimepiece~

LadyLuck | 1/27/2009, 1:14 pm EST

Why is it that the people who “claim” not to like Michael Jackson are ALWAYS the first people to comment on a story regarding Michael Jackson. Schultz, you must care. You were the FIRST person to post a comment. LOL! MJ got the fans AND the haters following his every move. As far as the show goes, I’ll Be There!

musiclover | 1/27/2009, 10:36 pm EST

i think it will be great no matter what he has been accused of or done he is an excellent performer and everyone that has ever witnessed his perfomrances or listened to his music has come away a different person, so let’s roll with it

Anonymous | 1/28/2009, 6:23 pm EST

michael i love you…that you becomes very happy!!kiss
all of good..

joyce | 1/28/2009, 6:23 pm EST

michael i love you…that you becomes very happy!!kiss
all of good..

the fall out boy scout | 1/28/2009, 10:58 pm EST

I agree with musiclover and LadyLuck. Michael is a great performer and he is by far my favorite artist. You can say what you ant about his at-home antics, but the man can put on a hell of a show.

katy | 1/29/2009, 11:18 am EST

Who cares, really?

julian | 1/29/2009, 5:25 pm EST

many blessings micheal ….theres true fans and fellow human beings who believe in you ……have fun!!!1

julian | 1/29/2009, 5:28 pm EST

and too the haters get a life and stop reading gossip…..thats evil.

Justlovely5 | 1/30/2009, 9:33 am EST

I am SO there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IRISH PRINCESS | 1/30/2009, 11:44 am EST

OMG I AM SO FREAKEN IRISH BITCH !!!

IRISH PRINCESS | 1/30/2009, 11:44 am EST

OMG I AM SO FREAKEN IRISH BITCH !!!

IRISH PRINCESS | 1/30/2009, 11:44 am EST

OMG I AM SO FREAKEN IRISH BITCH !!!

IRISH PRINCESS | 1/30/2009, 11:45 am EST

ya i know who even cares

Ladt GaGa | 1/31/2009, 6:47 pm EST

you are totally wiked man……. i saw you rehearsing…. i am a famous singer tooooooo…. lady gaga if you have ever heard of me?!lol. i love you!!!!!!!!!! you are the one who inspired me to sing/dance in he first place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!

Ladt GaGa | 1/31/2009, 6:47 pm EST

swiminqt | 1/31/2009, 6:49 pm EST

i dont love you but i dont hate u????!!!!! rock on Schultz

aleacy | 2/1/2009, 11:44 am EST

to michale I yery much think you r very cute thanks for all you do your the best dancer I’ve seen you know how to dance not everybody thats sing and dance know how thanks bye

aleacy | 2/1/2009, 11:44 am EST

to michale I yery much think you r very cute thanks for all you do your the best dancer I’ve seen you know how to dance not everybody thats sing and dance know how thanks bye

aleacy | 2/1/2009, 11:44 am EST

to michale I yery much think you r very cute thanks for all you do your the best dancer I’ve seen you know how to dance not everybody thats sing and dance know how thanks bye

gabrielle | 2/3/2009, 2:15 pm EST

you are the best singer even dancer ever love you and i hope you do well like you always do lol i can do the moon walk!

T. craig | 4/30/2009, 4:13 pm EST

jackson you are my guy, and you will always be.. dont mind those snitching around you, They cant achieve what you have,,,,,

T. craig | 4/30/2009, 4:18 pm EST

you are my guy Micheal and i must attend your show,,,,,,

poor bloke | 6/26/2009, 4:43 am EST

poor bloke

poor bloke | 6/26/2009, 4:43 am EST

poor bloke