Schuster Center | Dayton OH
Finally in Dayton!
Some shows you see once and that’s enough.
MJ the Musical is not one of them.
On June 25, I experienced it for the third time—this time in Dayton, Ohio, my hometown. And this particular date? Not just any day.
It marked the anniversary of Michael Jackson’s passing.
The energy in the air felt reverent. As we walked into a space where joy and tribute would coexist—and they did.
Let’s rewind a bit.
Inside the Schuster Center, there’s a Starbucks, and for the MJ run, they got into the spirit with themed drinks. Now listen, nothing too over-the-top, but still a thoughtful, fun tie-in:
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The Dancing Fedora – a cool blend of mocha and white mocha (yes, I had that one ☕😊)
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The Sequin Glove – their take on the Pink Drink with a splash of white mocha
It was cute, on-theme, and just enough to make fans like me feel like the venue got it.
About an hour before showtime, the Schuster hosted a free 40-minute session called “Background on Broadway”—something I hadn’t experienced before. Someone connected to the production gave a bit of behind-the-scenes insight into MJ the Musical: how it came together, what it’s like touring, and little nuggets of trivia. Since the story centers on Michael Jackson, it wasn’t anything super revelatory for us lifelong fans—but the speaker’s delivery was fun and engaging.
Now that I know these sessions happen, I’ll definitely keep an eye out at future shows. It was a great prelude to what we already knew would be a showstopper night.
Even on round three, MJ the Musical still gave me goosebumps. I’ve seen it in Cincinnati and Minneapolis, but there was something powerful about watching it unfold in my city, on this date.
The show was amazing!! Michael’s spirit echoed in every lyric, every dance move, every lighting cue. The audience was locked in. I was locked in. Again x3.
Despite knowing what was coming, it still felt new—like I was discovering it all over again.
Everyone in that theater was in it—from the moment the lights dimmed to the final bow. The music was alive, and so was the room.
An older couple sitting next to me said something after the show that stayed with me:
“Wow… it’s hard to tell anyone about it. You just have to see and experience it.”
And you know what? They were absolutely right.
It made me happy to see people of all ages blown away. I had nothing to do with the show, but I still felt proud. That’s the kind of connection Michael’s legacy continues to inspire.
It’s been 16 years since Michael left us. But in that theater, it felt like he never did. His music, his message, his magic—still living, breathing, moving people.
And isn’t that what art is supposed to do?
💫 Would I See It Again?
Absolutely. No question.
Three times in, and it still feels brand new.
Each time brings something different. Each time hits.
And on this night, it wasn’t just a show. It was a celebration. A tribute. A love letter.
Long live the King of Pop. 👑🕊️
