Thriller Live

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Thriller Live: A West End Tribute to the King of Pop

"Thriller Live" premiered in London’s West End at the Lyric Theatre on January 2, 2009, with its official opening on January 21, kicking off an extraordinary 11-year run that ended on March 15, 2020. Conceived by Adrian Grant a Michael Jackson associate and author of "Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary" with music and lyrics by Jackson himself, it was produced by Paul Walden and Derek Nicol for Flying Music. Directed and choreographed by Gary Lloyd, with additional moves by LaVelle Smith Jr., this concert-style musical celebrated Jackson’s 45-year career, from The Jackson 5 to his solo stardom. Logging 4,657 performances, it became the Lyric’s longest-running show and the 12th longest-running West End musical ever, closing prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic but leaving a global legacy seen by over 5 million fans across 33 countries.

A Musical Journey Through Jackson’s Legacy

Unlike traditional musicals, "Thriller Live" eschews a linear plot for a chronological revue of Michael Jackson’s hits, tracing his evolution from Motown prodigy to pop icon. The show opens with Jackson 5 classics like “I Want You Back” and “ABC,” then strides through his solo triumphs “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” “Smooth Criminal,” and “Beat It” culminating in later anthems like “Earth Song.” A cast of vocalists and dancers, backed by a live band, recreates Jackson’s signature sound and moves, from the moonwalk to the zombie shuffle. Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009, mid-run, transformed the Lyric into a fan shrine, extending its initial five-month booking into a decade-plus phenomenon, a tribute fueled by nostalgia and electrifying performance.

Songs That Moonwalk Across the Stage

The score, drawn from Jackson’s catalog, pulses with over 30 hits, including “Can You Feel It,” “Off the Wall,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” and “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.” Conducted by John Maher in later years, with musical direction evolving from Ryan Quigley, the live band sometimes featuring Eddie Van Halen’s “Beat It” riffs delivered funk, soul, disco, and rock. Gary Lloyd’s choreography, paired with Smith Jr.’s Jackson-authentic moves, dazzled with multimedia effects think “Thriller’s” graveyard glow. While no new songs emerged, the show’s 2019 cast recording captures its energy, a testament to Jackson’s unparalleled sales of 750 million records, including the world’s best-selling album, "Thriller."

A Cast of Dynamic Performers

The original 2009 cast featured vocalists like Denise Pearson and Ricko Baird, with young Michaels portrayed by talents like Kieran Alleyne who later returned as an adult lead in 2018. The final 2020 lineup starred Wayne Anthony-Cole, Vivienne Ekwulugo, Haydon Eshun, David Julien, and John Moabi, with dancers like Filippo Coffano and Joel Ekperigin nailing Jackson’s iconic steps. Guest stars Peter Andre in 2019, Jon Culshaw for a 2018 Prince’s Trust gala added flair. The ensemble, often 20-strong, shifted over the years, but their precision and passion, framed by Jonathan Park’s sleek sets and Nigel Catmur’s lighting, kept the show a “high-octane” marvel (Variety), honoring Jackson’s live legacy.

A Record-Breaking West End Reign

From a planned 2009 limited run, "Thriller Live" soared past 4,000 performances by 2018, hitting its 10th anniversary in 2019 and earning a 2020 Black British Theatre Award for Best Musical Production. Intended to close April 26, 2020, for Lyric renovations, it shuttered early amid pandemic theatre closures, just shy of overtaking "We Will Rock You" as the 11th longest-running West End musical. Its global tours from a 2006 UK preview to Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands reached 33 countries, while London saw over 2 million attendees. As of March 2025, its legacy thrives via touring productions and a promise from producers to “keep the legacy alive,” a moonwalking monument to Jackson’s indelible mark on music and theatre.