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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

ILARIO GRANT
TO RETURN TO
TONY AWARD-WINNING SMASH-HIT MUSICAL
“ MJ”
ON BROADWAY
AS TITULAR ROLE

Photo by Daniel Boud. To download, click here.

New York, NY (August 18, 2026) – Producers Lia Vollack and John Branca
announced today that Ilario Grant will assume the titular role of ‘MJ’ in Broadway’s
smash-hit musical MJ. Grant, who made his Broadway debut as a standby for ‘MJ’
and ‘Michael’ at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 W 52nd St) in 2023, will begin
performances on Tuesday, September 15, and will succeed Matte Martinez, who will
play his final performance on Sunday, September 13.

Following his debut on Broadway, Grant played ‘MJ’ in Australia, opening the
Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane productions, where critics called his portrayal of
Michael Jackson “nothing short of astonishing” (X-Press) and “a powerhouse
performance” (The West Australian).

In a statement, director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon said, “I’m thrilled
to welcome Ilario back to New York to star as ‘MJ.’ Having risen through this
company and gone on to dazzle audiences as ‘MJ’ in Australia, Ilario takes his rightful
place on Broadway, bringing audiences his stunning interpretation of the King of
Pop.”

To download photos of Ilario from the Australia production, click here.
To download video, click here.
To download Ilario Grant’s headshot, click here.

Tickets are available at tickets.broadwaydirect.com and at the Neil Simon box office.
Since beginning performances in December 2021, MJ has played to over 2 million
patrons on Broadway and more than 7 million patrons globally. The production is
currently playing in Germany at Hamburg’s Stage Theater starring Benét Monteiro
and will soon embark on international Asian and UK tours. The Tony Award-winning
Broadway production has broken the box office record at the Neil Simon Theatre 11
times.

The current Broadway cast of MJ features Matte Martinez as ‘MJ,’ Apollo Levine as
‘Rob/Joseph Jackson,’ Brandon Lee Harris as ‘Michael,’ Christopher Sean Cooper
Jr and Jackon Robert Wann as ‘Little Michael,’ Blake Channing Taylor as ‘Little
Marlon,’ Sasha Allen as ‘Katherine Jackson,’ Sheldon Henry as ‘Quincy Jones/Tito
Jackson,’ Rebecca Faulkenberry as ‘Rachel, Gabriel Ruiz as ‘Alejandro,’ Antoine
L. Smith as ‘Nick/Berry Gordy,’ Joey Sorge as ‘Dave,’ with Alex Aquilino, Cheslea
Mitchell Bonsu Lloyd A. Boyd III, Kellie Drobnik, John Edwards, Josh Jordan,
Sarah Sigman, Ryan VanDenBoom and Brion Marquis Watson rounding out the
ensemble. Melvin Grey Jr., Sage Lee, Samuel Nelson III, Jayden K. White serve
as ‘Standby for MJ and Michael.’ Carole Denise Jones and Nyla Sostre serve as
‘Standby for Rachel and Katherine.’ Swings for the production include Blu Allen,
Dasia Amos, Kyle DuPree, Tre Frazier, Chantelle Good, Michael Harmon, Skye
Jackson-Williams, Joshua Kenneth Allen Johnson, Zion Mikhail Praider, and
Dustin Praylow.

ILARIO GRANT BIOGRAPHY

ILARIO GRANT is thrilled to return to Broadway in the titular role of ‘MJ’ after starring
as MJ in the Australian production of MJ the Musical. He previously made his
Broadway debut with MJ, serving as standby for both ‘MJ’ and ‘Michael.’ His screen
credits include Praise This (NBCUniversal) as ‘Jermaine’ and Tyler Perry’s “Assisted
Living” (BET+) as ‘Cecil.’ Ilario is also an R&B artist, who was recognized in the group
Afterours. He is proudly managed by Natarsha Garcia/AGI Entertainment and
represented theatrically by J Pervis Talent. He thanks God for this opportunity to be
Broadways MJ, and can’t wait to bless the audiences everyday with his performance.
Instagram: @ilariolavon

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