We often speak about the actors and dancers in MJ The Musical and we also said enough about the writer of the book. But the technology used in the musical is also a key component to the success of the show!
Michael Jackson’s legacy continues to captivate audiences, and MJ The Musical brings his music, dance moves, and story to life on stage. The Tony Award®-winning production has already enthralled fans in New York City and London and made its Hamburg debut at the Stage Theater an der Elbe in December 2024, celebrating Jackson’s unparalleled artistry.
INFiLED, in collaboration with Blue-i Group and long-time partner Stage Entertainment, played a crucial role in the Hamburg production by providing an advanced LED display solution. The setup featured 200 panels from the AR Series with a 3.9mm pixel pitch, ensuring a visually stunning experience for theatergoers.
MJ The Musical delves into Michael Jackson’s creative journey leading up to his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. Featuring legendary hits like “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” “Bad,” “Smooth Criminal,” and “Thriller,” this Broadway sensation has garnered four Tony Awards. Its German premiere in Hamburg marked a significant milestone in the show’s international expansion.
A compelling visual design was essential to creating the immersive atmosphere of the production. The stage seamlessly transitioned between high-energy concert animations and intimate, dramatic storytelling, capturing different phases of Jackson’s life and career. This required dynamic LED screens that could integrate effortlessly with projection mapping and real-time set changes while maintaining perfect synchronization and vivid imagery.
Given the demanding schedule of eight performances per week, reliability was a key consideration. Ethan Forde, European Sales Director at Blue-i Group, emphasized: “Since this is a long-running production, we needed LED panels that offered exceptional reliability. The screens had to perform consistently without requiring frequent maintenance.”
After carefully assessing the production’s technical needs, Blue-i Group decided to upgrade the display solution to INFiLED’s AR3.9 series. Following a successful demonstration, video designer Peter Nigrini was impressed by the display’s visual impact, leading to the installation of 250 panels (13,000mm x 11,000mm) for the Hamburg production.
The AR3.9 panels delivered an impressive 5000-nit brightness, ensuring every detail remained sharp and vibrant even under intense stage lighting. Forde described the image quality as “phenomenal” and highlighted how the high brightness level, typically used in outdoor settings, was ideal for indoor theatrical performances. Additionally, the panels reproduced a full spectrum of colors with remarkable accuracy, crucial for maintaining seamless integration with the stage design, particularly during the show’s most dynamic moments.
Built for durability and low maintenance, the AR3.9 panels performed reliably throughout the production’s rigorous schedule of rehearsals and performances. Karsten Walter, production video engineer at Stage Entertainment, noted: “Even after years of continuous use, INFiLED’s LED screens continue to meet the demands of an eight-show-per-week run.”
Furthermore, the AR3.9 panels played a crucial role in accurately rendering intricate stage details, such as a moving scenic bridge. The screens worked flawlessly with Brompton Technology’s processors and Disguise media servers, ensuring smooth technical execution and a visually cohesive experience.
Forde concluded: “For productions of this scale, selecting the right LED screen is essential. INFiLED’s AR3.9 panels provided outstanding brightness and color precision, bringing the creative vision to life. The seamless integration with Brompton and Disguise was instrumental in achieving a flawless production.”
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