Intro
Musicals have the unique ability to take familiar stories and elevate them through song, dance, and theatrical magic. Today, we’re spotlighting a musical that combines time travel, 1980s nostalgia, and one of my all time favorite movies: Back to the Future: The Musical.
Featured Musical: Back to the Future: The Musical
Back to the Future: The Musical is a stage adaptation of the iconic 1985 film created by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale. The musical made its world premiere in 2020 at the Manchester Opera House before transferring to London’s West End in 2021. It won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. It finally landed on Broadway in 2023, but sadly, a closing date has been announced for January 2025. With a book by Bob Gale, music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, and direction by John Rando, the musical brings the movie to life on stage.
Plot Summary
The plot of Back to the Future: The Musical closely follows the storyline of the original film. If you’ve never seen the movie here’s a quick recap: Young Marty McFly is accidentally sent back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his eccentric friend, Doc Brown. Stranded in the past, Marty inadvertently disrupts the timeline, jeopardizing his own existence. To fix things, he must ensure that his parents fall in love and find a way back to the future, all while dodging his father’s bully, Biff Tannen, and avoiding a temporal disaster.
There are only a few minor divergences from the original story. An attack by angry Libyans is now plutonium poisoning, and there’s no dog or manure. The musical added a few elements as well, including an adorable song where Marty tries to teach his dad to be cool, another where he sings about missing his girlfriend, and a lovely tune for Doc called “For the Dreamers” that surely earned Roger Bart his Tony nomination.
The Music
Song Highlights
- “Wherever We’re Going”: Marty’s girlfriend Jennifer helps him to bounce back from the rejection of his latest audition. They made the romance between Marty and Jennifer more significant in this version compared to the movie. I think that while it’s not really needed, it makes sense to have a love song in a musical (at least one that’s not with your mom.)
- “Pretty Baby”: Speaking of moms, this candy pop doo-wop song makes everyone sick as teenage Lorraine sings a dirty flirty song to her son (yikes!) It raises a question I never thought I’d ask: does singing about incest make it better or worse?
- “My Myopia”: This is the best performance of the show and it’s also pretty gross as George sings about peeping on Lorraine as he watches her from a tree. He puts the twee in creep.
- “Gotta Start Somewhere”: This gospel number for Goldie Wilson gets everyone’s feet tapping with the idea that an underdog can dream big and make it big, too.
- “Future Boy”: This silly song helps Doc come up with the idea that they can use lightning to power the DeLorean and get Marty back to his time. Doc breaks the fourth wall to point out the chorus line of dancers that appears every time he sings.
Sci-Fi Elements in Music
The music of Back to the Future: The Musical incorporates a mix of rock, pop, along with Alan Silvestri’s iconic film score, creating a sense of continuity between the stage production and the original film. The use of synthesizers and electronic sounds enhances the sci-fi atmosphere, particularly in scenes involving the DeLorean and time travel.
Characters & Performances
Main Characters
- Marty McFly: The teenage protagonist who finds himself thrust into a time-traveling adventure. Marty is the same as we know him from the movie – a wanna be rocker, stuck in a suburban milieu.
- Doc Brown: The eccentric and brilliant scientist who invents the time-traveling DeLorean. Roger Bart’s Doc gets even kookier than the Doc we know from the movie. He also tends to break the fourth wall.
- George and Lorraine McFly: Marty’s parents, who, in 1955, are awkward teenagers navigating the challenges of high school. Marty must help them fall in love to ensure his own existence.
- Biff Tannen: The local bully who torments George and threatens to derail Marty’s mission. Biff is the the same ham-fisted numbskull from the film, but now he can sing and dance!
Performances
According to a Variety review of the Broadway show, “The musical mirrors the film’s plot, including karaoke imitations of original stars.” The Guardian‘s take on the London production mentions that “Roger Bart’s ‘Doc’ Emmett Brown…grows distinctive quirks and he ends up as an even more off-the-wall creation than Christopher Lloyd’s zany original.” And I will say that Hugh Coles’ rendition of George McFly was impeccable and though not and exact impression of Crispin Glover from the movie, he really captured the same spirit and quirkiness of George while really making it his own.
Some critics have been harsh on the performances, but audiences (including myself) seem to appreciate the homage to the film. Ultimately, everyone agrees that the DeLorean is the show’s biggest star. According the the New York Times review, “the famously souped-up DeLorean DMC, or a life-size replica thereof, is terrific — in some ways more exciting than the one in the movies because it does its tricks live.”
Visual & Special Effects
The set design by Tim Hatley is a visual feast, combining 1950s Americana with 1980s flair and futuristic elements. The town of Hill Valley is recreated with meticulous detail, from the downtown diner to the high school auditorium. The costumes reflect the era-specific styles of the film from Marty’s iconic red “life preserver” to Doc’s white hair and lab coat.
The special effects in this show are extremely impressive, with the DeLorean itself as a centerpiece. According to The Guardian, “it really does seem as if the DeLorean is defying the laws of theatre, if not the time-space continuum. The effect is created through a plethora of screens, graphic projections (video design by Finn Ross) and a firework of illuminations (lighting design by Tim Lutkin) that sear beyond the proscenium arch and into the auditorium with the most dazzling illusion of depth at the back of the theatre as well.”
But how does a car speed up to 88mph on stage? Check out the video below for some BTS magic!
Cultural Impact
While some critics panned the show, most audiences loved it. It’s still a relatively new addition to the world of musical theater, but Back to the Future: The Musical has already made a significant impact, particularly for fans of the original film. The musical’s success proves that sci-fi musicals can be popular especially when they are based on well known works.
Fun Facts & Trivia
Easter Eggs
The musical is filled with references and nods to the original film, from Marty’s iconic line, “This is heavy” to hit songs like “The Power of Love” and “Johnny B. Goode.” Here are some other Easter eggs fans have noticed in the show:
- George McFly Day is a celebration for the release of his book Back to the Future IV.
- Jennifer shows up to George McFly Day with her Uncle, Huey Lewis.
- There is a reference to Part II when Marty says he can do a lot of fun things with the time machine like buy books to bet on things. There’s a reference to Part III with a newspaper featuring a western movie picture on the front page.
- There is a jailbird cake for Uncle Joey.
- During “Something About That Boy” there’s a chalkboard that reads “Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads.” in French.
- The TARDIS from Doctor Who makes an appearance in Act II.
- We see a hoverboard fly by during the song “21st Century.”
- There’s a lightsaber fight!
- The bench in the scene with Marty and Jennifer features an ad for Fox Photo.
Personal Reflection
Back to the Future: The Musical is a great example of how a beloved film can be successfully adapted for the stage. The production captures the magic of the original while adding new layers through its music, performances, and special effects. As a fan of both the film and musical theater, I love Back to the Future: The Musical. And I find it to be a joyful celebration of nostalgia, innovation, and the timeless appeal of a great story.
Summary
Back to the Future: The Musical blends the excitement of time travel with the joy of musical theater. With its faithful adaptation, dynamic performances, and stunning special effects, this musical captures the essence of what made the original film a cultural touchstone.
Up Next
Next time, we will step into the world of The Wiz. It’s The Wizard of Oz reimagined through an Afrofuturistic lens. Blending soul, funk, and R&B with vibrant visual storytelling, The Wiz transforms Oz into a dynamic urban landscape. This isn’t just a journey down the Yellow Brick Road—it’s a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and reclaiming one’s place in the world. The Wiz invites audiences to experience a visionary adventure where identity, culture, and possibility converge.
References
- Akbar, Arifa. “Back to the Future: The Musical Review – the Car’s the Star.” The Guardian 13 Sept. 2021. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/sep/13/back-to-the-future-the-musical-review-adelphi-theatre
- https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/03/theater/back-to-the-future-review-broadway.html
- Rizzo, Frank. “Variety.” Variety 2 Aug. 2023. https://variety.com/2023/legit/reviews/back-to-the-future-review-broadway-musical-1235685147/
- Wikipedia contributors. “Back to the Future: The Musical.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 18 Nov. 2024. Web. 1 Nov. 2024.