Interview: Kristin Stokes of MJ THE MUSICAL on Recreating Michael Jackson's World Onstage

You know the songs. You know the moves. You know the man.

Created by Tony Award-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, the multiple Tony Award-winning musical MJ The Musical is coming to the San Diego Civic Theatre from May 5–10, bringing Michael Jackson’s singular moves and Signature Sound to the stage. 

At the center of that story is Rachel, played by Kristin Stokes, a New York–based actor and musician best known for originating Annabeth Chase in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical on Broadway and on its first national tour. In MJ, Rachel is a documentary filmmaker who becomes the audience’s guide into Michael Jackson’s world. “Rachel is hired by MTV to document how the magic is made,” Stokes explains. But she isn’t just observing. “She is more ambitious and tries to truly get behind the music to see the person, not only the performer.” As the story unfolds, Rachel becomes a driving force, “trying to do something impossible, which is figure out who this person is,” ultimately giving audiences “a sliver of what’s going on.”

That search for understanding unfolds inside a rehearsal room rather than a traditional biographical musical. Set during the final rehearsals for Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour, the musical moves in real time while weaving in moments from his past, allowing audiences to experience both the creative process and the memories behind it. “We are present with Michael during rehearsals as the story unfolds in real time, while also moving through flashbacks that help build a fuller picture,” Stokes notes. “I get to help drive the story between past and present.”

And then there is the music: unmistakable, electric, and enduring.

“When I sing with the full company, the music direction is centered on how Michael Jackson did it, the feeling, emotion, and release he had in all of his recordings. We are trying to honor the man who did it best.” The result is less a retelling and more an immersive experience. “The spectacle is out of control. You can feel the bass and the energy, like you are at his concert.”

For Stokes, the production has also been shaped by life on the road. She previously toured in 2019 with The Lightning Thief and has now spent nearly a year with MJ. “Touring is its own special thing. You get to be with a community of people that you work, travel, and live with.” While the lifestyle can be demanding, she describes it as deeply rewarding. “I love being on the road, on stage, and hanging out with everyone.”

That sense of connection extends beyond the company and into the audience. Night after night, Stokes sees firsthand how deeply Jackson’s legacy resonates. “We see kids in the audience, fully dressed up, doing his dance moves, imitating him.” It’s a testament to the enduring power of his artistry and to the show’s ability to bring it vividly back to life.