“MJ: The Musical” officially opened on Broadway on Feb. 1, 2022, almost three years ago to the day. Someone who knows this well — and is still going strong with the musical — is Apollo Levine, one of its principal actors who plays the dual roles of Joseph Jackson, the controlling, cheating, abusive patriarch of the Jackson 5 siblings. On the other side of the spectrum, he also plays Rob, Michael Jackson’s right-hand man when Jackson prepares for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. Levine was glad to speak with AmNews about this production.
AmNews: What is the challenge of being both Rob and Joe?
AL: One of the biggest challenges in these roles is the duality of the characters. Switching back and forth throughout the show — literally at times in a snap of a light cue — is wild. Also making each character very distinct so the audience understands who they are and their particular importance in that moment is key to moving the show along through the 2.5 hours we are on stage. It’s a role that never gets boring because you can always dig deeper, even if you are doing the show twice in one day.
AmNews: How do you perceive Joseph as a character?
AL: Probably an unpopular opinion, but I see him as a protector and provider in ways. Now, I want to be very clear. I don’t condone abuse on any level, but also take in consideration [the] context. I will never know what it feels like going through Jim Crow, being one generation out of slavery, or going through the Civil Rights Movement era, but so many Black people do, including my own father. And though my dad handled things much differently, it was a different time back then, and Joseph to me wanted to make sure that his kids could survive and live in a world [in which] most people would love them for their talent but dismiss them because of the color of their skin. He did what he knew. Does it make it right, I will leave that to the ones who were there. For me, I just try to show a father who was human and flawed. Who loved the best way he knew how.
AmNews: How do you connect with the character of Joseph Jackson?
AL: Honestly, as a Black father who has a child, it’s hard raising kids, let alone a Black child, who, no matter how smart or talented they are, will always have to live by a different set of societal rules. I’m here to protect, provide, encourage, support, love, and correct if need be. My daughter is my world, and I would do anything for her.
AmNews: How do you completely embody the sympathetic, caring role of Rob, after being the cruel Joseph?
AL: I want to be clear, I don’t see Joseph like everyone else may, so ‘cruel’ isn’t the word I would use for him. Authoritative, yes. Protective, very much so. Some would and could say ‘abusive.’ But ‘cruel’ seems like the wrong language. Again, I believe there is context that we don’t delve into. However, when it comes to Rob, this is me being an amplified version of Apollo. I consider myself an empath and definitely take on a lot of weight from other people because I want to see people succeed. I root for my friends and folks that I don’t know alike. I want to see people win, and if I can do anything to help I will. It’s the 5 year old in me that just wants the world to be beautiful.
AmNews: You have been with the musical from the beginning. What has the journey been like thus far?
AL: It has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. There are so many highs but there are a lot of lows too. To be living a part of my dream by performing on a Broadway stage is amazing. To originate a role, become a principal, take over the second lead of the show, to be on a cast album is surreal. Sometimes there are no words to describe it. However, there are moments that no one can prepare you for. Doing a show eight times a week can wear on your body, your mind, and spirit. There is no off season for us, so that’s a lot of time not being able to see loved ones, not being able to have other life experiences, to curate relationships outside of the theater space.
I remember the first week of our rehearsals after the pandemic, my mom passed. I literally was in rehearsal for this dream job while making funeral arrangements in a whole other state. My world felt in such disarray, but also, I had to put up this show. It felt like I couldn’t fall apart. I love my “MJ” family because they were there for me and this show has become imprinted on my life, good, bad, or indifferent.
AmNews: What is the message the audience should come away with about Michael Jackson?
AL: Humans are flawed, but at the core of most people we are just trying to heal and navigate this world the best way we can. Also, let no one stop what God has put in you to do. People don’t always get your vision because it is not theirs to get. It’s for you. Figure out how to execute and do it. You don’t know how your one act of fearlessness can change a life or the world.
AmNews: Where are you from? What is your professional educational background?
AL: I’m originally from Abbeville, Louisiana by way of South Bend, Indiana. Interestingly enough, I was a Religion and Philosophy major in college. I didn’t go to school for any of what I’m doing now, though I knew as a kid it’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
AmNews: How do you feel when you perform on stage?
AL: I don’t know how to answer this question. I will say, and this might be the preacher’s kid in me, I feel like what I do is bigger than me. Yes, on one hand it’s acting, singing, and dancing. On the other hand, you allow people to escape for the 2.5 hours from whatever they might be going through. And hopefully, if you can allow someone that refuge for a moment, it will help inspire them to keep moving forward in their own life.
AmNews: You do a quick change from “Thriller” to talking to MJ as Rob. You have been in this musical from opening and throughout the run — how do you maintain your energy and your freshness with each performance?
AL: It’s honestly fun for me. Even when I’m tired, I never get tired of doing the show. The way Lynn Nottage has written this show, along with Chris Wheeldon’s direction, it allows you to breathe and be present in this MJ universe every time I step on stage. I enjoy getting able to expand my skill set and vocabulary with this show. I’ve always been told ‘find something you love, and you will never work a day in your life.’ Yes, I have a job but also, I love what I do and this space has allowed me to just BE, and I’m constantly relearning that concept daily. I never take what I do for granted. Not everybody gets to say they are living out their dream in real time.
AmNews: Why should people come to see “MJ?”
AL: It’s the best show on Broadway … lol. Yes, I’m biased but seriously it really is a great time!! It’s all the music you love and grew up with and this is an amazing story of this extraordinary and incredible human being. Once you see it, you will be changed in some way.
Visit mjthemusical.com for more info.