MJ The Musical poster

Broadway

MJ The Musical

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Flashing light summary

30flashing sequences reported
13 min 18 secof flashing in total
Flashing sequences and time by part of the show
Part of showSequencesFlashing time
Whole Show3013 min 18 sec
Act One195 min
Act Two118 min 18 sec

Cue information contributed by Craig Stelzenmuller, Peter Nigrini & Kate Ducey.

Cue details

Start times are approximate and measured as described in each entry. Some entries describe more than one effect.

Act One · 18 entries

≈ 34:00after start of Act One

Jackson 5 Onstage Reveal

Duration
7 seconds
Light source
Overhead moving lights and LED neon surrounding the set
Frequency
Five individual flashes
Light color
White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: The Jackson 5 wait backstage in Baltimore before taking the stage.

As the members of the Jackson 5 are revealed one by one, white flashes accompany each performer before they begin singing "Blame It on the Boogie."

≈ 37:29after start of Act One

Soul Train Robot Dance

Duration
15 seconds
Light source
LED neon surrounding the scenic portals
Frequency
Chasing effect
Light color
White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Michael appears on Soul Train and begins performing the Robot.

The dance spreads through the ensemble as everyone joins in singing "Dancing Machine."

≈ 47:30after start of Act One

"You Can't Win" Neon Chase

Duration
22 seconds
Light source
LED neon surrounding the scenic portals and spotlight effects in the side windows
Frequency
Chasing effect
Light color
Cyan, Orange, and Yellow
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Michael, Berry Gordy, and the ensemble perform "You Can't Win."

As the ensemble breaks out of a clustered formation, the neon lighting begins chasing around the set.

≈ 47:58after start of Act One

"You Can't Win" Finale Flash

Duration
5 seconds
Light source
White star strobes embedded throughout the set and LED neon
Frequency
Rapid flashing sequence
Light color
White, Cyan, and Orange
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: The final moments of "You Can't Win."

The sequence builds into a rapid flashing finale that ends with a bright white flash on the musical cutoff.

≈ 57:23after start of Act One

Studio 54 Dance Break

Duration
23 seconds
Light source
Rotating beacons and Studio 54 column lighting
Frequency
Approx. 3 Hertz
Light color
Tungsten White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Michael and the ensemble perform "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" inside Studio 54.

White rotating beacons sweep the audience while chasing lights pulse through the dance break.

≈ 58:35after start of Act One

Grammy Podium Strobe

Duration
1.5 seconds
Light source
Overhead moving lights
Frequency
Approx. 10 Hertz
Light color
Light Amber
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: The Thriller music video sequence begins.

Michael stands atop a Grammy podium while the surrounding ensemble briefly strobes.

≈ 58:52after start of Act One

Grammy Win Flashbulbs

Duration
8 seconds
Light source
White star strobes embedded throughout the set
Frequency
Random flashbulb effect
Light color
White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: The Grammy winner is announced.

The set erupts in camera-flash style effects as Michael wins the award.

≈ 59:16after start of Act One

"Mama Say Mama Sa" Sequence

Duration
38 seconds
Light source
Neon lighting integrated throughout the set
Frequency
Chasing effect synchronized to the music
Light color
Amber
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Michael performs the "Mama Say Mama Sa Mama Ku Sa" section of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'."

Colored neon pulses and chases continue through the end of the number.

≈ 59:16after start of Act One

"Where's Bubbles?" Press Conference Flash

Duration
2 seconds
Light source
White moving lights and LED neon
Frequency
Approx. 2 Hertz
Light color
White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Reporters question Michael during a rhythmic press conference following "Earth Song."

The lights flash twice on the line, "Where's Bubbles?"

≈ 1:06:30after start of Act One

"They Don't Care About Us" Opening

Duration
19 seconds
Light source
White overhead backlights and sidelights
Frequency
Approx. 2 Hertz
Light color
White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: The press conference transitions into "They Don't Care About Us."

Double flashes occur repeatedly as the reporters begin dancing.

≈ 1:07:16after start of Act One

First Chorus Guitar Strobes

Duration
4 seconds
Light source
Star strobes and video static effects
Frequency
Approx. 5 Hertz
Light color
White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: The first chorus of "They Don't Care About Us."

A loud guitar riff is accompanied by white strobing effects.

≈ 1:07:48after start of Act One

"He Wouldn't Let This Be"

Duration
2 seconds
Light source
White overhead backlights and sidelights
Frequency
Approx. 2 Hertz
Light color
White
Start time
Approx. 1 hour, 7 minutes & 52 seconds after start of Act One
Duration
25 seconds
Light source
White backlights, sidelights, and neon elements
Frequency
Rapid color and brightness changes
Light color
White and Multi-Color
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Michael sings about government injustice.

Before this: Immediately follows the previous sequence.

Five white flashes accompany the lyric "He wouldn't let this be." Scene: "Skinhead, Deadhead" Sequence

Flashes, color changes, and dance break lighting effects continue throughout the verse.

≈ 1:08:18after start of Act One

Dance Break Strobe

Duration
7 seconds
Light source
Star strobes, neon lighting, and video content
Frequency
Approx. 10 Hertz
Light color
White and Yellow
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Michael screams during the dance break.

Heavy strobing is followed by a randomized yellow sidelight sequence.

≈ 1:09:07after start of Act One

Act One Finale

Duration
13 seconds
Light source
Star strobes, neon lighting, and projection
Frequency
Approx. 10 Hertz
Light color
White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: The cast repeats "All I Wanna Say Is That They Don't Really Care About Us."

The finale builds into an intense sequence of flashing lights, projection effects, screams, and guitars before ending in a bright white flash and blackout.

≈ 7:06after start of Act One

"Beat It" Transition Flash

Duration
0.2 seconds
Light source
Video and neon flash
Frequency
Single flash
Light color
White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: "Beat It" concludes.

A bright white flash transitions into rehearsals for the Dangerous tour.

≈ 38:10after start of Act One

Robot Dance Video Montage

Duration
15 seconds
Light source
Video projection and neon effects
Frequency
Brightness pulses every two seconds
Light color
Multi-Color
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Michael performs the Robot during "Dancing Machine."

A video montage celebrates the popularity of the dance while memories of his father begin to intrude.

≈ 58:39after start of Act One

Thriller Jacket Transition

Duration
0.5 seconds
Light source
LED wall
Frequency
Single flash
Light color
White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: During "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," Michael puts on the Thriller jacket.

A bright horizontal white line flashes across the LED wall.

≈ 59:38after start of Act One

Thriller Album Celebration

Duration
1 second
Light source
Video wall and lighting system
Frequency
Approx. 3 Hertz
Light color
Multi-Color
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Michael receives Grammy awards.

Three rapid brightness hits celebrate the success of the Thriller album.

Act Two · 11 entries

≈ 2:00after start of Act Two

"Billie Jean"

Duration
Approx. 1 minute & 37 seconds
Light source
Neon lighting, star strobes, and video content
Frequency
Chasing effects
Light color
White, Blue, and Pink
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Michael discovers a hat and glove in a suitcase and asks for "a smooth groove."

The opening of "Billie Jean" features chasing neon effects and concert-style lighting throughout the number.

≈ 9:02after start of Act Two

"Smooth Criminal" Police Lights

Duration
Approx. 3 seconds
Light source
Colored strobing sidelights
Frequency
Approx. 10 Hertz
Light color
Red, White, and Blue
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: A Fosse-inspired dance sequence from "The Way You Make Me Feel" concludes.

"Smooth Criminal" begins with a sudden reveal and flashing police-car style lighting effects on the ensemble.

Flashing effects continue throughout portions of "Smooth Criminal."

≈ 15:02after start of Act Two

Jackson Family Press Conference

Duration
Approx. 18 seconds
Light source
Moving lights simulating camera flashbulbs
Frequency
Approx. 6 Hertz, random
Light color
White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: The Jackson family attempts to convince Michael to reunite with his brothers.

Camera-flash effects accompany the press conference sequence during "For the Love of Money."

≈ 15:43after start of Act Two

Pepsi Commercial Accident

Duration
Approx. 8 seconds
Light source
Video explosion effect and police/emergency lighting
Frequency
Irregular
Light color
White, Red, and Blue
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Michael stands atop a table as though filming a Pepsi commercial.

A pyrotechnic accident is depicted using video effects and emergency vehicle-style flashing lights.

≈ 16:25after start of Act Two

Victory Tour Concert Lighting

Duration
Approx. 1 minute & 6 seconds
Light source
Overhead moving lights
Frequency
Chasing effects synchronized to music
Light color
Yellow, Cyan, and Magenta
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Michael's doctor prescribes pain medication.

The Victory Tour sequence features colorful concert-style lighting throughout "Can You Feel It."

≈ 42:44after start of Act Two

"Too Bad" Breakdown

Duration
Approx. 5 seconds
Light source
White neon lighting
Frequency
Approx. 4 Hertz
Light color
White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: The ensemble surrounds Michael, overwhelming him with demands and expectations.

Following the line, "Fall into step with the rest of us," Michael screams as white neon elements begin randomly strobing.

≈ 48:55after start of Act Two

Thriller Zombie Reveal

Duration
Approx. 15 seconds
Light source
Red sidelights and carnival marquee bulbs
Frequency
Pulsing effect
Light color
Red and Tungsten White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: The zombies have entered and surrounded Michael.

The Carnival Barker summons Michael as red pulses transition into flashing carnival lights.

≈ 49:29after start of Act Two

Thriller Dance Break

Duration
Approx. 17 seconds
Light source
White sidelights
Frequency
Random flashing
Light color
White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Michael and the ensemble are clustered together upstage center.

The cast spreads across the stage for the dance break as flashing sidelights accompany the choreography.

≈ 51:25after start of Act Two

Thriller Curtain Strobe

Duration
Approx. 2 seconds
Light source
White moving lights focused on the black kabuki curtain
Frequency
Approx. 10 Hertz
Light color
White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: The zombies and Michael stand in a line downstage as a black kabuki curtain descends.

A brief lightning-like strobe sequence flashes across the curtain during the iconic voiceover.

≈ 57:33after start of Act Two

"Michael! Michael!" Finale

Duration
Approx. 27 seconds
Light source
Hundreds of embedded star strobes throughout the set
Frequency
Approx. 10 Hertz, random flashbulb effect
Light color
White
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Following "Man in the Mirror," the stage is empty while the audience chants Michael's name.

Michael rises from beneath the stage as hundreds of flashbulbs erupt around him. The sequence concludes with a blinding white flash and blackout.

≈ 58:38after start of Act Two

Curtain Call / Concert Finale

Duration
Approx. 4 minutes
Light source
Neon lighting, moving lights, and star strobes
Frequency
Concert-style chases and flashes synchronized to music
Light color
Multi-Color
Scene details (may include spoilers)

Before this: Michael takes his final bow.

The company performs a concert-style finale featuring multiple songs. Lighting chases, flashes, and color changes continue throughout the curtain call, building to a final burst of energy during the closing moments of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'."

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Original FlashCue summary graphic 3 for MJ The Musical

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