Erik Hamilton is taking his portrayal of Michael Jackson to Europe, joining the cast of MJ Das Michael Jackson Musical in Hamburg this fall.
American actor Erik Hamilton has been announced as the new star of MJ Das Michael Jackson Musical at Stage Theater an der Elbe in Hamburg, Germany.
The casting was revealed by Stage Entertainment in a new announcement video, with Hamilton set to take over the title role in fall 2026. The move marks his international stage debut and brings him from the U.S. national touring production to one of the musical’s major international productions.
Hamilton already has considerable experience with the role. For the past two years, he has performed with the First National Tour of MJ the Musical in the United States, serving as standby for both MJ and Michael. It was his first professional engagement portraying Michael Jackson.
His journey toward playing Michael, however, started much earlier.
From the video game to the stage
Hamilton’s connection to Michael Jackson goes back to his childhood. Growing up with his two brothers, the three would play Michael Jackson: The Experience, copying Michael’s choreography and competing with one another to see who could perform the moves best.
Years later, that childhood fascination would become a professional career.
Hamilton studied theater performance at Hampton University, where he graduated summa cum laude. While still a student, he auditioned for MJ the Musical after encouragement from his mother.
That decision ultimately opened the door to his professional debut as Michael Jackson and, now, to an international production of the musical.
A new chapter in Hamburg
Hamilton’s arrival in Hamburg represents another significant step in his journey with the production, from childhood Michael Jackson fan, to theater student, to a standby performer on the U.S. national tour, and now the leading role in the German production.
He will take over the role at Stage Theater an der Elbe beginning in fall 2026.
No further cast or creative changes were included in the announcement, but Hamilton’s casting adds another international dimension to a production that continues to bring Michael Jackson’s music, choreography and story to audiences around the world.
From playing Michael Jackson: The Experience with his brothers as a child to stepping onto a stage in Germany as MJ, Erik Hamilton’s journey is certainly a story of turning fandom into a career.
