The costumes — including those white socks and black loafers and various iconic jackets — add to the make believe. Even his speaking voice — while he can’t possibly replicate the talent of MJ — is fairly close to what we all know as his whispery high-pitched signature. Using the upcoming tour as the central plot, Nottage interweaves biographical elements, in flashbacks. The show features three Michaels: the child star of the Jackson 5 (Bryce A. Holmes), the middle Michael (Brandon Lee Harris), and the superstar (Markus). The show premiered in New York in December, 2021, and has reportedly grossed $280 million USD, selling more than five million tickets worldwide.