Back to the Future: The Musical
Broadway promotional poster
MusicAlan Silvestri
LyricsGlen Ballard
BookBob Gale
BasisBack to the Future
by Bob Gale
Robert Zemeckis
Premiere20 February 2020 (2020-02-20): Manchester Opera House
Productions2020 Manchester
2021 West End
2023 Broadway
AwardsLaurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical

Back to the Future: The Musical is a musical with music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard and a book by Bob Gale. It is adapted from the 1985 film Back to the Future by Robert Zemeckis and Gale. The show features original music, as well as songs featured in the film ("The Power of Love", "Earth Angel", "Johnny B. Goode" and "Back in Time").[1]

The musical originally was slated to première in London's West End in 2015,[2] the year to which the film trilogy's characters traveled in Part II.[3] However, original director Jamie Lloyd left the production in 2014 citing "creative differences" with Zemeckis, resulting in a delay in the production.[4] The musical finally received its premiere at Manchester Opera House in February 2020, ahead of a 2021 West End transfer. It starred Olly Dobson as Marty McFly and Roger Bart as "Doc" Brown. The production received positive reviews in London and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2022.

The musical began previews on Broadway on 30 June 2023 and opened on 3 August 2023. Bart reprises his role, and Casey Likes plays Marty.

Background

The movie and its two sequels were box office successes, taking in over $936 million at the box office.[5] In England, the popularity of the film Back to the Future had been boosted by its television broadcasts on Christmas or Boxing Day for several years starting in 1988.[6]

At a 2004 DeLorean convention, Bob Gale said that he was interested in adapting Back to the Future for Broadway.[7] In 2012, a musical adaption of the 1985 film Back to the Future began development[8] leading to the exploration of an adaptation.[3] Workshops for the musical took place in 2014, in July in London and the following month in Los Angeles, with the intention to open the show in the West End in 2015,[9] in time for the 30th anniversary of the film.[10]

Jamie Lloyd was initially engaged to direct the production[11] but withdrew from the project in September 2014 after the workshops, citing creative differences.[12] Bob Gale later recalled that those creative differences were over whether the character Biff should sing: "[Lloyd] thought that a villain would be more villainous if he didn't sing. For me, that was the dealbreaker".[13] Lloyd's withdrawal from the production was expected to delay the premiere until at least 2016, and a new director was sought.[14] During the delay several others left the original creative team, including Soutra Gilmour as scenic designer[15] and Jon Clark as lighting designer.[15][16][17][18]

Synopsis

Act One

In Hill Valley, California, October 25, 1985 ("Overture"), Marty McFly visits scientist Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown's house and finds a pre-recorded message, playing on a large amplifier, asking Marty to meet him in the parking lot of Twin Pines Mall later past midnight. After destroying the amplifier while playing his electric guitar, Marty walks through town and dreams about being a successful rock artist, while a man named Goldie Wilson runs for mayor ("It's Only a Matter of Time").

When Marty's band audition is rejected ("Got No Future"), Marty's girlfriend, Jennifer Parker, comforts him ("Wherever We're Going") but they are interrupted by fundraisers for the restoration of the town's clock tower, which was damaged by lightning in 1955. Marty, with a flyer on the clocktower in hand, heads home to find his father George being harassed by his boss, Biff Tannen. George discourages Marty from chasing big dreams, his brother Dave explains his job at a burger restaurant and his mother, Lorraine McFly, discourages his sister, Linda, from dating and talks about how she first met George and kissed him at a school dance as Marty laments his family's state ("Hello, Is Anybody Home?").

At the Twin Pines Mall parking lot, Marty meets Doc who unveils a time machine made from a DeLorean and explains how he built it ("It Works"). However, due to inadequate protection while loading plutonium into the car's reactor, Doc is afflicted by acute radiation poisoning and starts dying. Marty jumps in the car to seek medical help but accidentally accelerates to 88 miles per hour (142 km/h), sending him back in time to the day Doc conceptualised time travel in 1955. Ditching the car in a barn, Marty wanders to the town square where the citizens of Hill Valley celebrate the town ("Cake"). Marty witnesses his teenage father being threatened by Biff and his gang ("Got No Future" (reprise)) and tells him to stand up for himself. When he accidentally reveals then-diner employee Goldie will become Mayor of Hill Valley, Goldie is inspired and encourages George to also increase his self-esteem ("Gotta Start Somewhere"). Marty later finds George spying on teenage Lorraine from a tree ("My Myopia"), but is knocked unconscious when George falls. Hours later, Marty wakes up in Lorraine's bedroom. Lorraine falls for Marty who tries to fend off her advances ("Pretty Baby").

Marty finds his way to Doc's house and convinces a younger Doc that he came from 1985 by revealing his knowledge about Doc's Flux Capacitor. Finding the car, Doc worries that Marty will be stuck in 1955 forever. As Marty despairs ("Future Boy"), Doc states that a bolt of lightning could power the time machine and both he and Marty make use of the information on Marty's flyer to use the lightning bolt. Marty reveals he encountered both of his parents when Doc warns him against meeting anyone in history, causing Doc to instruct him to get George to meet Lorraine. At Hill Valley High School the next day ("Hill Valley High School Fight Song"), Doc and Marty infiltrate the school, with Marty encouraging George to ask Lorraine out to join her for the school's upcoming dance. George tries to follow Marty's advice, but runs afoul of Biff, forcing Marty to intervene. As Marty and George are chased all around the campus, Lorraine tells her friends about the boy she tended to, while Biff and his gang hear rumors about Marty and plot to get rid of him and Marty himself fends off Biff, inadvertently awing Lorraine further ("Something About That Boy").

Act Two

Doc Brown dreams of the social, technological, economic, and political advances of the future ("21st Century"), waking up as Lorraine invites Marty to the school dance to which Marty reluctantly accepts ("Something About That Boy" (reprise)). Marty visits George to boost his self confidence and dance abilities in preparation for the dance ("Put Your Mind to It"), running through the plan for George to win over Lorraine as well.

While planning to use a wire running from the clocktower to send the lightning to the DeLorean, Doc looks to the scientists throughout history, longing to be famous while noting of those who fail to fulfil their goals despite their best efforts ("For the Dreamers"). Meanwhile, Biff and his gang learn of Marty's attendance at the upcoming dance and plot to beat him up ("Teach Him a Lesson"). On the night of the dance, Doc thanks Marty for giving him hope for his future but Marty secretly writes a letter to warn him of his death in 1985, despite being warned of the harm from disclosing future events. Marty also reflects on his only chance to make it back, while thinking of Jennifer back in 1985 for inspiration ("Only a Matter of Time" (reprise)).

During the school dance ("Deep Divin'"), Lorraine advances on Marty ("Pretty Baby" (reprise)) before Biff locks him in a nearby dumpster and assaults Lorraine. Biff overpowers an arriving George, but George defeats him in one punch. As George escorts a grateful Lorraine to the dance, singer Marvin Berry and his band, on a smoke break, free Marty from the dumpster but Marvin's fingers are accidentally clamped by the closing lid. Knowing music will be needed for George and Lorraine to kiss, Marty volunteers to play guitar instead. The band plays "Earth Angel" as George and Lorraine kiss, saving Marty's existence. On Marvin's request for another song, Marty performs "Johnny B. Goode", but his guitar solo stuns the crowd.

After bidding farewell to George and Lorraine, Marty leaves the dance to meet Doc who explains that high winds disconnected the upper cables and that he would have to reconnect them despite his fear of heights. Marty gives his letter to Doc who destroys it, worried about the consequences. Doc faces his fear and the storm to connect the wires ("For the Dreamers" (reprise)) while Marty drives the DeLorean, inserts the electric hook and accelerates to 88 miles per hour as the lightning strikes and sends him back to October 26, 1985. However, upon arrival, the car shuts down before Marty can keep driving to the hospital to save Doc. As Marty grieves over failing to save Doc, Doc appears, revealing that he pieced the letter back together and wore a better protective suit. He thanks Marty and bids him goodbye before departing to the future in the DeLorean while Marty sleeps in the courthouse square.

Upon waking up the following morning, Marty discovers his father is now a renowned science fiction author with an annual celebration named after him, his family is more professionally and socially successful and a timid Biff is under George's employ. At the celebration, the McFlys present the town with a check to restore the clock tower. As Marty and his band perform "The Power of Love" and the whole town joins in, Doc suddenly returns in the upgraded DeLorean, insisting Marty comes with him to see the future. Marty hops in and Doc sets the car's destination date to the exact time and date of the show's current performance. The DeLorean takes off and flies over the audience, and into the future, as the curtain closes ("Finale").

Production history

Back to the Future at the Adelphi Theatre in 2022

Manchester (2020)

The musical began previews on 20 February, with an opening night on 11 March 2020, five years later than originally planned,[19] at the Manchester Opera House.[20] The production was directed by John Rando,[21] with choreography by Chris Bailey,[22] set and costume design by Tim Hatley,[23] video design by Finn Ross, lighting by Tim Lutkin and Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Gareth Owen[22][24]

Only a few days after the official opening, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Manchester Opera House closed on 16 March 2020. The show did not reopen until it transferred to the West End.[25]

West End (2021)

The production transferred to the Adelphi Theatre in the West End, where it opened on 13 September 2021 with the same cast and creative team.[26] In 2022, the original cast album was released.[27] The production was nominated for seven Laurence Olivier Awards that year, including Best New Musical which it won, as well as Best Original Score or New Orchestrations.[28] The run is expected to continue until at least February 2024.[29]

Back to the Future at the Winter Garden Theatre, 2023

Broadway (2023)

The musical began previews on Broadway on 30 June 2023, at the Winter Garden Theatre, and opened officially on 3 August. The production has the same creative team as the original West End production. Roger Bart and Hugh Coles from the original London cast return in the roles of Doc Brown and George McFly, respectively, with Casey Likes as Marty McFly; the cast also includes Merritt David Janes as Strickland, Liana Hunt as Lorraine, Jelani Remy as Goldie Wilson/Marvin Berry, Nathaniel Hackmann as Biff and Mikaela Secada as Jennifer.[30]

Planned North American Tour (2024)

A North American tour is planned to begin at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio, in June 2024, with preview performances at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, New York.[31]

Original cast and characters

Character Manchester[32] West End Broadway
2020 2021 2023
Marty McFly Olly Dobson Casey Likes
"Doc" Brown Roger Bart
George McFly Hugh Coles
Lorraine Baines-McFly Rosanna Hyland Liana Hunt
Goldie Wilson /
Marvin Berry		 Cedric Neal Jelani Remy
Biff Tannen Aidan Cutler Nathaniel Hackmann
Jennifer Parker Courtney-Mae Briggs Mikaela Secada
Principal Strickland/Mayor Red Thomas Mark Oxtoby Merritt David Janes
Dave McFly/Slick Will Haswell Daryl Tofa
Linda McFly Emma Lloyd Amber Ardolino
3D Shane O'Riordan Will Branner
Clocktower Woman/Spokeswoman Katharine Pearson Jonalyn Saxer

Notable replacements

West End

Musical numbers

# Not included in the Original Cast Recording
% Song cut from the original West End production

Cast recording

The Back to the Future website announced on October 21, 2020 ("Back to the Future Day") that a cast recording of the West End production would be released by Sony's Masterworks Broadway imprint.[34] The announcement was accompanied by the release of Olly Dobson's rendition of "Back in Time", which was featured in the first film and its soundtrack, in addition to the original track "Put Your Mind to It". The cast recording was released on March 11, 2022.[35][36]

A Deluxe Edition of the cast recording album was released on October 20, 2023. This album includes a second disc of 13 demo versions of songs written for the musical.[37]

Reception

The Guardian reported that fans of the franchise gave the Manchester tryout positive reviews, with one commenting that it's "a wonderful tribute to the film" and another that "people are going to be talking about this for a long time".[38] The show received a generally positive critical reception upon its West End opening.[39][40][41][42][43] The production design received widespread praise, and the performances of Bart, Dobson, Coles and Neal were reviewed positively.

The Broadway production received more mixed reviews.[44] Frank Rizzo of Variety wrote, "with the frequent breaking of the fourth wall and the milking of some meta moments, you wonder what exactly the show’s aiming to be: a self-aware joke for fans or a thrill ride with sincerity".[45] Jesse Green of The New York Times stated, "though large, it's less a full-scale new work than a semi-operable souvenir".[46] Most of the critical praise was given to the technical aspects, especially scenes featuring the DeLorean.[44]

Awards and nominations

Original West End production

Year Award Category Nominee Result
2022 Laurence Olivier Award[47] Best New Musical Won
Best Original Score or New Orchestrations Glen Ballard, Bryan Crook, Ethan Popp and Alan Silvestri Nominated
Best Actor in a Musical Olly Dobson Nominated
Best Actor in a Supporting Role Hugh Coles Nominated
Best Set Design Tim Hatley and Finn Ross Nominated
Best Lighting Design Tim Lutkin Nominated
Best Sound Design Gareth Owen Nominated
WhatsOnStage Award Best New Musical Won
Best Performer in a Male Identifying Role in a Musical Roger Bart Nominated
Olly Dobson Nominated
Best Supporting Performer in a Male Identifying Role in a Musical Hugh Coles Won
Cedric Neal Nominated
Best Set Design Tim Hatley Nominated
Best Lighting Design Tim Lutkin Won
Best Sound Design Gareth Owen Won
Best Video Design Finn Ross Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Back to the Future musical sets date for world premiere in Manchester". BBC News. 19 May 2019. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  2. ↑ "Back to the Future musical announced". BBC News. 31 January 2014. Archived from the original on 31 January 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Back To The Future Musical To Land In West End". Sky News. 31 January 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  4. ↑ Brew, Simon (1 September 2014). "Back to the Future musical delayed to 2016, director leaves". Den of Geek. Den of Geek World Ltd. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "'Back to the Future – The Musical' Coming in 2015". Back to the Future official website. Archived from the original on 7 February 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  6. ↑ Rome, Emily (2020-03-11). "Turn on the time machine — 'Back to the Future' is now a musical". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  7. ↑ Dawn, Randee (31 January 2014). "Great Scott! Back to the Future to return as a stage musical". NBC News. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  8. ↑ Shoard, Catherine (5 February 2012). "Back to the Future, the musical? How will that work?". The Guardian. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  9. ↑ Kozinn, Allan (31 January 2014). "'Back to the Future' Musical Planned for London Opening". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  10. ↑ Trueman, Matt (31 January 2014). "Back to the Future: 80s movie gets musical makeover". The Guardian. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  11. ↑ Bychawski, Adam (31 January 2014). "'Back To The Future' musical set to open in the West End on 2015". NME. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  12. ↑ Hemley, Matthew (29 August 2014). "Jamie Lloyd steps down from Back to the Future musical". The Stage. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  13. ↑ Rome, Emily (11 March 2022). "Back to the Future: The Musical: A Breakdown of the Original Cast Recording". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  14. ↑ Bosanquet, Theo (29 August 2014). "Jamie Lloyd withdraws from Back to the Future after 'creative differences'". WhatsOnStage.com. Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  15. 1 2 Shenton, Mark (31 January 2014). "Musical Version of Back to the Future Set to Open in West End in 2015". Playbill. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  16. ↑ Kennedy, Mark (31 January 2014). "'Back to the Future' Musical Planned for London". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  17. ↑ "Marty this is it: UK theatre-goers will be first to see Back to the Future musical". Herald Scotland. 31 January 2014. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  18. ↑ Bosanquet, Theo (31 January 2014). "Back to the Future musical set for West End in 2015". WhatsOnStage.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  19. ↑ Wiegand, Chris (19 May 2019). "Great Scott! Back to the Future returns as a musical for 2020". The Guardian. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  20. ↑ McPhee, Ryan (19 May 2019). "Back to the Future Musical Sets 2020 World Premiere". Playbill. Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  21. ↑ Mapstone, Lucy (19 May 2019). "Back To The Future musical to premiere in Manchester next year". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  22. 1 2 Snow, Georgia (19 May 2019). "Back to the Future musical confirms 2020 premiere". The Stage. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  23. ↑ Wood, Alex (19 May 2019). "Back to the Future musical to run in Manchester ahead of West End transfer". WhatsOnStage.com. Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  24. ↑ "Review: Back to the Future the Musical at Adelphi Theatre, London – spectacular but musically dull nostalgia trip". The Stage. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  25. ↑ "Back to the Future Musical". backtothefuturemusical.com. Opera House, Manchester. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  26. ↑ Evans, Greg (13 September 2021). "London's 'Back To The Future' Musical Opens Tonight Without Roger Bart: Star Tests Positive For Covid-19". Deadline. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  27. ↑ "Back To The Future extends - Original Cast Album released!". London Box Office. 11 March 2022. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  28. ↑ Yossman, K. J. (2022-03-08). "Eddie Redmayne, Jessie Buckley and Emma Corrin Nominated for Olivier Awards 2022". Variety. Archived from the original on 2022-04-09. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  29. ↑ Maynard, Bea (4 August 2023). "Back to the Future the Musical tickets available through February 2024". LondonTheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  30. ↑ Hall, Margaret (22 March 2023). "Jelani Remy, Liana Hunt, Nathaniel Hackmann, More Join Back to the Future on Broadway".
  31. ↑ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "BACK TO THE FUTURE North American Tour to Launch Summer 2024". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  32. ↑ "Cast & Creative". Back to the Future the Musical. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  33. ↑ "Cory English to take over from Roger Bart in Back to the Future the Musical in the West End | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
  34. ↑ "Sony Masterworks Broadway to release Original Cast Album to Back to the Future – The Musical". Back to the Future. 21 October 2020. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  35. ↑ "Back to the Future: The Musical (Original Cast Recording) CD". Back to the Future™. Archived from the original on 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  36. ↑ Original Cast of Back To The Future: The Musical (2021), Back To The Future: The Musical, Sony Music Classical, archived from the original on 2021-09-16, retrieved 2021-09-27
  37. ↑ "Back to the Future: The Musical (Original Cast Recording) Deluxe Edition CD", BacktotheFuture.store, October 20, 2023
  38. ↑ Campbell, Lucy (23 February 2020). "'This is the new standard for spectacle': fans react to the Back to the Future musical". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  39. ↑ "Back to the Future: The Musical review – the car's the star". the Guardian. 2021-09-13. Archived from the original on 2022-03-09. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  40. ↑ Benedict, David (2021-09-14). "'Back to the Future' Review: West End Musical Is Lots of Fun Despite Flaws". Variety. Archived from the original on 2022-03-09. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  41. ↑ Curtis, Nick (2021-09-13). "Back to the Future the Musical review: It's enormous fun". www.standard.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2022-03-09. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  42. ↑ Lukowski, Andrzej. "'Back to the Future' review: ★★★ for this bombastic musical of the classic film". Time Out London. Archived from the original on 2022-03-08. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  43. ↑ Davis, Clive. "Back to the Future: The Musical review — classic stalls like an old DeLorean". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 2022-04-12. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  44. 1 2 "Review Roundup: Back to the Future: The Musical Opens on Broadway!". BroadwayWorld.com. 3 August 2023.
  45. ↑ Rizzo, Frank (3 August 2023). "Back to the Future Review: Broadway Musical's Car Is the Star in Underwhelming Screen-to-Stage Duplication". Variety.
  46. ↑ Green, Jesse (3 August 2023). "Back to the Future Review: The DeLorean Crash Lands on Broadway". The New York Times.
  47. ↑ "Cabaret, Life of Pi, Back to The Future Win 2022 Olivier Awards". Broadway.com. Archived from the original on 2023-01-02. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
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