Brown grad Jed Resnick is back in town with the touring ‘MJ: The Musical’

PROVIDENCE – It’s tough enough mastering King of Pop Michael Jackson’s mannerisms, manner of dress and moonwalk when earning loose change on big city street corners. It’s a whole new level of complexity and competence when playing the man in “MJ: The Musical,” which will be at the Providence Performing Arts Center from Jan. 21-26 on national tour. It requires a significant amount of preparation to develop the psychological and emotional depth required to break through the familiar exterior and expose Jackson’s troubled background and some semblance of his troubling biography.

“Yeah, there’s not so much preparation when playing Dave,” says Jed Resnick, who has been portraying MJ’s business manager since he and three other actors joined the tour this past July.

Resnick – who was born and raised on Roosevelt Island, New York, was a Bar Mitzvah at the conservative Park Avenue Synagogue and graduated from Brown University – was reached by phone to discuss his upcoming return to Providence by way of PPAC.

JRI: What brought you to Brown?

 Resnick: The school offered a solid liberal arts education and undergraduate theater program. The greatest lessons I learned occurred during my junior year, when I took two classes with Oskar Eustis [who served as the artistic director of the Trinity Repertory Company from 1994 to 2005]. He imparted the value of theater in society, and though I was doing wonderfully fun and joyous work in musicals, I learned that it was important and essential work that taught life lessons and made a difference.

JRI: You graduated in May 2007.  

Resnick: I was set to graduate in the Class of 2006 but decided to take a year off to join the national tour of “Rent.” After that I performed in “Avenue Q” in New York City and then, many years later, toured in “Company.” While on tour I had the opportunity to audition for “MJ: The Musical” since the actor playing Dave [Matt Loehr] was leaving the show to be in “Some Like It Hot” on Broadway.

JRI: It’s been announced that a new actor will be playing MJ when the show comes to Providence.

Resnick: The current “MJ,” Jamaal Fields-Green, will be taking over the title role in London’s West End starting mid-January and Jordan Markus will step in on tour. Actually, he’s been playing the alternate “MJ” on tour for the past year, which means he’s been playing the role two times a week. His Michael is so sweet and loving, and he really brings a passionate artistic drive to the character. Jordan’s phenomenal.

JRI: My diligent research found that, of all the many business managers Michael Jackson had, sued, and was sued by, there was no Dave.

 Resnick: There was no Dave. He is not a historical figure, which is why there was not a lot of prep required for the role.

JRI: So, no trade secrets shared by your predecessor.

Resnick: Not a one. But Dave does serve as a grounding force in MJ’s world.

JRI: The musical is set in 1992, as MJ is preparing to embark on a global tour following the success of his album “Dangerous.” We find him making all kinds of unrealistic demands on his production manager and technical manager, and he submits to your character a list of hoped-for extravagances that include 1,000 tons of equipment, 212 speakers, 80 cast and crew, and an entourage of 15.

Resnick: And a jet pack. And a cotton candy machine. Dave’s job is to tell MJ “no” and bring him down to earth. But ultimately, MJ’s dreams and quest for perfection and artistic excellence aren’t compromised. Which is why Dave doesn’t have a whole lot of stage time. He’s what we call a “Princess track” [in reference to the smallness of the now-defunct Princess Theatre on Broadway, which produced short plays on a tiny stage to only 14 rows of seats]. Dave is on stage for about 12 minutes of the two hours and 45 minutes of the show, but they are an important 12 minutes.

JRI: What are you doing for the remaining two-and-a-half hours?

Resnick: In the very beginning of the show, I am on Michael Jackson’s security detail – I’m the guy in the shades and dark suit – and during a sequence at Studio 54, I get to be the club owner. I also have a few moments of singing/rapping.

JRI: We’ll be looking for you.

Resnick: Don’t blink.

“MJ: The Musical” runs at the Providence Performing Arts Center from Jan 21-26. Tickets are $79 - $229 (plus fee).

BOB ABELMAN is an award-winning theater critic who formerly wrote for the Austin Chronicle.