Oh, I'm not questioning the enduring popularity of his massively successful solo career. The greatness and the ubiquity of his music is undeniable. But, I think there would have been a different reception for a jukebox musical that used MJ songs vs. one in which MJ himself is the central character and one which is intentionally set before the abuse allegations were common knowledge, which is obviously the producers and creators' attempt to avoid reckoning with the elephant in the room.
I mean, I guess someone could write a celebratory play about OJ Simpson's football and entertainment career and have the play end before 1994, but, something tells me it wouldn't be well received, either.
(and, yes, I know that OJ and Michael are not apples-to-apples in terms of their cultural impact, popularity and their "alleged" crimes.) |
