The first album actor Roman Banks remembers playing around his house growing up was “The Ultimate Jackson 5 Collection.” He recalled dancing with his family to Michael Jackson’s “Rockin’ Robin” and learning the dance to “Thriller” in his living room, playing the song over and over again trying to get the moves down. In a surprising turn, he even learned that his uncle was in Jackson’s “Bad” music video.

In August, Banks will take the stage as the king of pop when the biographical musical “MJ” kicks off its national tour at the James M. Nederlander Theatre.

“I want people who are fans of him to have a great time and I want people who never listen to Michael Jackson to have a great time,” Banks said.

The musical, which is still running on Broadway after opening in early 2022, features nearly 40 hits from Jackson’s career as it flips between rehearsals for the 1992 Dangerous World Tour and flashbacks from Jackson’s life growing from child star to superstar. With direction and choreography by Christopher Wheeldon and a book by Pulitzer-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, the show was produced as a collaboration with The Michael Jackson Estate. Despite mixed reviews from New York critics, the show garnered 10 Tony nominations, winning four, including best choreography.

In a recent interview, Banks discussed what this opportunity means for him and his family, how he approaches preconceived notions about Jackson, and the joy and energy that comes with portraying the pop icon on stage.

“You already know the music, you already know the moves,” Banks said. “But how much can I show you about him you don’t already know? That’s a big goal of mine.”

The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: What was your family’s reaction when you told them you were going to be playing MJ?

A: It’s definitely been a growing excitement. I’m the only artist in my family, and a lot of times my family doesn’t quite get as excited because they don’t quite understand my world so much. As I’ve done interviews and been on TV and done photo shoots and they’ve seen me in the costume and they’ve heard me sing, they’re like, “Well, this is really exciting to watch.” Now they’re in a place of real genuine excitement.

Because we grew up with Michael Jackson, I think it’s the first time I’m doing something that’s really relatable to them. They’re obviously coming to opening night in Chicago, but it’s the fact that I can go to our home theater in Georgia, in Atlanta, and they’ll be able to drive through the city and be like, “My brother’s there tonight.” There’s a real sense of pride coming with this one for my family.

Q: What’s been the hardest part of trying to embody this kind of superstar on stage, knowing that folks are likely coming with preconceived notions?

A: I grew up hearing a lot of my favorite actors say, “The first thing I ever do when I come to a role is I throw judgment to the side and I see this person as a human being. I see them for what made them great and successful and what they struggled with as a whole picture.” So that’s what I said. I was like, I’m going to dive into this with a profound respect for everything that Michael Jackson was and still remains to be and I’m going to proceed without judgment. That’s the only way I can get the most accurate representation of who this man is.

I’m trying to show people how he became Michael Jackson up until 1992, his triumphs and certain things that he didn’t have, I don’t think, the tools to deal with in the healthiest way. It’s really cool to take someone who I would consider to be my musical hero and make them more of just a human being to me. Now he doesn’t feel so far out of reach.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about Michael Jackson that you learned from your research or from working on the show that you didn’t know before?

A: It’s a really simple one, to be honest. Growing up, my favorite thing was Honey Buns. I loved Honey Buns, I loved Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Growing up in Georgia, we would go get the ones fresh, hot, warm off the press. I found out, while reading his autobiography, that his dad used to bring them home doughnuts, just to treat them to things from time to time, and that was always a really special thing for the brothers. They would eat them all up super quickly.

I found, in a lot of ways, how similar I am to Michael. Sometimes it’s silly little stuff like that, guilty pleasures. And sometimes it’s the way we see the world and other people. I’ve literally just had to stare at passages in his book because I’m like, I’ve never heard someone put this into words the exact way I feel about it.

I get it now. I get when actors are talking about their characters — and it’s weird because obviously, it wasn’t just a character, he’s a real man who lived — but I get how they say I’m befriending this person that I have the privilege of portraying.

Q: What is your favorite song to perform in the show?

A: Right now, “Bad” is really fun, especially because my uncle was in it and sometimes I’m doing it and I’m thinking of him. But it’s also really cool to just have that kind of, “don’t mess with me” energy. Michael says in his book, “Being bad is about being so good that you’re ‘bad.’” So it feels good to sit in that energy and just be like, “Yeah, I’m bad,” to the audience. But I could definitely see it being something else in a month, which is fun. Audiences will be able to experience that growth and that journey, and I can’t wait to take that ride with everybody.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with readers?

A: I just want to tell people to come with an open heart. This show takes a lot of energy and this show takes a lot of joy and effort to put out. So I’d just say, come ready to enjoy yourself and ready to have fun, to indulge not only in the music and the show itself but also with the community of people around you. That’s when the magic of theater happens.

“MJ” plays Aug. 1 to Sept. 2 at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St.; tickets from $52.50 at broadwayinchicago.com

Jerald Pierce is a freelance writer.