Jordan Markus and the cast of MJ.

Preparing a major Broadway musical for a tour across the country is no small feat. The idea of packing up 1000+ costume pieces, 68 wigs, 79 speakers, two miles of cable, and four tons of equipment might even stump Kaylie of @tidycademypro. Nevertheless, MJ will move from market to market loading, unloading, staging, breaking down, and reloading numerous times.

Meanwhile, considerable preparation also takes place for the 32 cast members who appear on stage for eight performances each week. But before they get the show on the road, they have to start with five weeks of rehearsals and two weeks of what the industry calls “tech,” the meticulous matching of the scenic elements (lighting, sound, scenery, costumes, and props) to the action on the stage. Once the production has been pieced together cue-by-cue, the show heads out to theatres of all shapes and sizes where additional rehearsals are required in each theatre to ensure that the actors are familiar with the space and all of the elements have been properly reassembled for opening night.

While Denver audiences eagerly await opening night of the return engagement of MJ, enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at rehearsals of the touring company.

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