Photo credit: Andy Henderson

Broadway’s MJ Welcomes Jackson Robert Vann as New Little Michael

Broadway’s MJ is welcoming a new young performer — Jackson Robert Vann — into one of the most demanding child roles currently on a New York stage.

Producers Lia Vollack and John Branca announced that Vann has joined the cast of MJ in the role of Little Michael beginning Tuesday, June 9, at the Neil Simon Theatre. Originally from Charleston, Vann makes his Broadway debut with the production, stepping into the role previously played by Emjay Roa.

For any young performer, a Broadway debut is a milestone. But joining MJ carries a particular kind of weight. The role of Little Michael is not simply a portrait of a child star; it is a reminder of the exacting discipline, vocal instinct and kinetic brilliance that helped turn Michael Jackson from a gifted boy in Gary, Ind., into one of the most influential entertainers in the world.

Vann joins the Broadway company after appearing in the first national tour of MJ, where he performed across 13 cities. He first joined the MJ family as Little Marlon and now steps into the role of Little Michael. He is also listed as an understudy for Little Marlon.

The Tony Award-winning musical has become one of Broadway’s strongest commercial performers, breaking the box office record at the Neil Simon Theatre 11 times. Since beginning performances in December 2021, MJ has played to more than 2 million patrons on Broadway and more than 7 million globally.

The production currently stars Matte Martinez on Broadway. Internationally, MJ is playing in Hamburg at the Stage Theater with Benét Monteiro, and in Brisbane at the Lyric Theatre with Ilario Grant. The musical is also set to expand with international Asian and U.K. tours.

With Vann’s arrival, MJ continues its tradition of spotlighting young talent while revisiting the artistic origins of one of American music’s most complex and enduring cultural figures.

MJTheMusical.com