Michael Jackson tribute musical brings King of Pop's spirit to China

Adrian Grant's friendship with Michael Jackson inspired a career of tribute projects honoring the singer. His latest, the musical "Can You Feel It," is now touring five Chinese cities, and he told China.org.cn the story behind it.

Adrian Grant speaks to China.org.cn during an interview in Beijing, July 19, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

This is Grant's first trip to China, but his earlier production "Thriller Live" toured Beijing and Guangzhou in 2010 and Macao in 2016.

Grant created "Thriller Live" in 2006. It has since played more than 5,000 shows to nearly 5 million fans in 35 countries. The production became the longest-running show in the Lyric Theatre's 125-year history and the 12th longest-running musical in West End history before closing in March 2020 after an 11-year run.

Grant said he received an invitation from Impulse Arts and Media last year to bring "Thriller Live" to China. "I thought, let's play something new, let's play something different and more up to date. And 'Can You Feel It' is that show," he said.

Grant's journey began as a Jackson fan and creator of the singer's fanzine. He became a legend in his own right, eventually a friend and frequent guest of the pop superstar at his famous Neverland Valley Ranch. He authored Jackson-themed books, including "Making History" and "Michael Jackson – The Visual Documentary," before becoming a producer of tribute shows.

"I was very fortunate because Michael is such a giving, kind, considerate person, very humble. It's thanks to his kindness that allowed me to have access to his world when I was much younger than I am now," he said.

"Can You Feel It," directed and choreographed by Gary Lloyd, traces the music of Michael Jackson and The Jacksons across their decades-long career, featuring two hours of more than 30 hits spanning pop, rock, soul and disco.

Songs in the musical include "I Want You Back," "Can You Feel It," "Thriller," "Beat It" and "Billie Jean," along with later classics such as "Smooth Criminal," "Dangerous" and "Love Never Felt So Good."

A still image of performers dancing to "Thriller" from the musical "Can You Feel It." [Photo courtesy of Impulse Arts and Media]

The musical stars five main performers: Louis Djibril Thiam, Sedric Perry, Joey James, Daniel Len and Rhiannon Porter. It had its world premiere in London on May 23 and received rave reviews.

"Can You Feel It" performed two pre-shows in Jinan, Shandong province, to applause, then officially debuted in Beijing on July 23. Six shows run through Sunday, July 26, at the Beijing Performing Arts Centre under the National Centre for the Performing Arts. The show will later tour to Shanghai, Suzhou, Shenzhen and Dongguan until late August.

Grant praised the ensemble of dancers and singers who each embody Michael's personality, persona and talent.

"So we have a soul Michael Jackson," he said. "We have a rock Michael Jackson singing something like 'Beat It' and 'Dirty Diana.' We have a pop Michael Jackson singing songs like 'Love Never Felt So Good' and 'Rock With You.' We have a female who sings 'The Way You Make Me Feel' and 'P.Y.T.,' the sexy songs of Michael. So I think it's really important to say we're not an impersonation show, but a musical that delivers the spirit of Michael Jackson."

The producer said he is grateful for everything Michael did for him and for his fans. "His music still lives with us. His spirit still lives with us. I think if we look at the way the world is nowadays, after Michael was gone, we need his message more than ever right now," he said. The show's setlist also includes Jackson's humanitarian songs, such as "They Don't Care About Us," "Earth Song" and "Man in the Mirror."

Cast and crew of "Can You Feel It" pose for a photo at a press conference in Shanghai, July 14, 2026. [Photo courtesy of Impulse Arts and Media]

"Thriller Live" showed Grant just how global Jackson's fan base is. "Michael has fans everywhere, fans that weren't even born when he was making his music. So that's something we want to bring to China, because you never got to see Michael live on stage. So hopefully you can come and see 'Can You Feel It' and just get a bit of that magic," he said.

Michael Jackson never performed on the Chinese mainland, one of the biggest regrets among his fans there. He did, however, travel to Zhongshan, Guangdong province, and Hong Kong on holiday.

The biopic "Michael" has revived his popularity in China and around the world this year, 17 years after his passing. The film has grossed 71.5 million yuan ($10.5 million) in the Chinese mainland and $1.02 billion worldwide so far, making it the highest-grossing biopic of all time. Its success has also sent his greatest hits and albums back to the top of the charts and drawn in new fans from younger generations.

Grant added: "When I remember Michael, it's just remembering what a kind and good person he was. And that smile, Michael had the most incredible smile, and he was the most joyous person, and that's what I remember most. It wasn't Michael Jackson the superstar. It was him as a person. And underneath everything, underneath his fame, he was just a kind, giving, loving person. And he was very misunderstood."