I found MJ entertaining, primarily because of Myles Frost's portrayal and the spectacular staging of the musical numbers. However, I was deeply troubled that the show's book ignored or whitewashed Michael Jackson's sexual abuse of young boys.
At least one highly respected source (and insider with whom I am friends) gave me the following analysis of the 2022 Best Musical race:
Six was entertaining, a probable hit, would tour well, but too slight a show -- really just a concert -- to be awarded the Tony.
A Strange Loop was powerful, important, highly respected, but had limited appeal. It would be a difficult show to tour and was a likely commercial failure.
MJ was entertaining and highly appealing to African-American audiences. Nottage is a highly regarded black playwright, whose participation gave the show award acceptability. MJ was a probable hit and would tour well.
Conclusion: in a highly competitive 3-way race, anything can happen. All it takes is a single vote margin for a lucky show to nab the Tony.
I didn't agree with him. I thought the winner would be A Strange Loop, although Six had a chance. However, his reasoning was compelling and hard to dismiss. Just saying. |
