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Back to the Future: The Musical

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

Back to the Future: The Musical is an Olivier Award-winning stage musical with music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard and a book by Bob Gale, adapted from the original screenplay by Robert Zemeckis and Gale. Based on the 1985 film of the same name, the show features original music alongside hits from the film, including "The Power of Love" and "Johnny B. Goode".

The musical originally was slated to make its world première in London's West End in 2015,[1] the year to which the trilogy's characters traveled in Part II.[2] However, after director Jamie Lloyd left the production in August 2014, due to "creative differences" with Zemeckis, the production's release date was pushed to a 2016 opening.[3] In May 2019, it was announced the show would receive its world premiere at Manchester Opera House in February 2020, ahead of an expected West End transfer. The show stars Olly Dobson, playing the role of protagonist Marty McFly, originally portrayed by Michael J. Fox. Tony Award winner Roger Bart plays Emmett "Doc" Brown, originally portrayed by Christopher Lloyd.

It won the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

Background

During a question and answer session at a 2004 DeLorean convention, Bob Gale said, "It seems like Back to the Future would make a great Broadway show. So someday, maybe that'll happen. That's something I'd like to see."[4] In February 2012, it was first revealed that a musical adaption of the 1985 film Back to the Future was being developed[5] and had been explored for around eight years prior.[2] 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,[6] in time for the 30th anniversary of the film.[7]

The movie achieved success at the box office, taking over $380 million.[8][9] It follows Marty McFly, a teenager who is accidentally sent back in time in a DeLorean[10] to 1955.[11] He meets his future parents in high school and accidentally attracts his mother's romantic interest.[12] Marty must repair the damage to history by causing his parents-to-be to fall in love,[13] and with the help of scientist Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown (Christopher Lloyd), he must find a way to return to 1985.[14] Back to the Future marked the start of a successful franchise, ultimately becoming a trilogy,[15] with the total income for the three films taking over $936 million.[16]

Jamie Lloyd was initially scheduled to direct the show,[17] but withdrew from the project in September 2014, citing creative differences.[18] After the musical opened in 2020, Bob Gale said 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," Gale said, adding, "For me, that was the dealbreaker."[19] Lloyd's withdrawal from the production was expected to delay the world premiere until at least 2016, and a new director was sought.[20] The delay in production marked several other departures of the original creative team including Soutra Gilmour withdrawing as designer,[21] Jon Clark as lighting designer,[21] Alan Williams as musical supervisor[21] and Andrew Willis as skating consultant.[22][23][24]

While discussing the project, writer Bob Gale said the stage version would "retell our story on stage in a brand new way".[25]

Synopsis

Act One

In Hill Valley, California, 1985 ("Overture"), Marty McFly visits scientist Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown's house and finds a pre-recorded message, playing on a large amplifier, telling 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 bullied 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, Doc dies from radiation poisoning while loading plutonium into the car's reactor. Marty jumps in the car to seek medical help but accidentally hits 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 get bullied by Biff and his gang 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, 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 tries to evade both people ("Something About That Boy").

Act Two

Doc Brown dreams of the 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. 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 attempts ("For the Dreamers"). Meanwhile, Biff and his gang learn of Marty's attendance at the upcoming dance and plot to defeat him ("Teach Him a Lesson"). On the night of the dance, Doc says goodbye to Marty and thanks him for giving him hope for his future. As Doc leaves, Marty writes a letter warning him of his future death, despite being warned of the harm from disclosing future events. Marty also reflects on his only chance to make it back, but dreams of Jennifer back in 1985 for comfort ("Only a Matter of Time (Reprise)"). Marty puts the letter in his pocket and heads to the dance.

During the school dance ("Deep Divin'"), Biff locks Marty in a nearby dumpster before harassing Lorraine. Biff overpowers an arriving George and continues to harass Lorraine, but George knocks him out 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 grows out of hand.

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 braves 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 1985. However, upon arrival, the car fails before Marty can keep driving to the hospital to save Doc. As Marty grieves at his side, Doc sits up, having pieced the letter back together and worn a second protective suit.

The following morning, Marty runs into Jennifer and his family, as they get ready for the annual 'George McFly Day' celebration, with George now a renowned science fiction author and his family more professionally and socially successful. At the celebration, the McFlys present the town with a check to restore the clock tower. As Marty and his band perform their song ("The Power of Love") and the whole town joins in, Doc suddenly returns in the now improved DeLorean, insisting Marty comes with him to see the future. Reluctantly, Marty hops in and Doc sets the time machine to drive 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

Manchester world premiere (2020)

On 17 May 2019, it was announced the show would receive its world premiere beginning previews from 20 February, with an opening night on 11 March 2020, five years later than originally planned,[26] at the Manchester Opera House and then a West End transfer.[27] The musical debuted in England, where the film Back to the Future's popularity had been boosted by its television broadcasts on Christmas or Boxing Day for several years starting in 1988.[28] The production was directed by John Rando,[29] choreography by Chris Bailey,[30] set and costume design by Tim Hatley,[31] video design by Finn Ross, lighting by Tim Lutkin and Hugh Vanstone,[30] fight and stunt direction by Maurice Chan and illusions by Chris Fisher.[30] The films' composer, Alan Silvestri was to compose a new score with Glen Ballard, with the addition of original songs from the film, including "The Power of Love" and "Johnny B. Goode".[32] sound design is by Gareth Owen,[30] musical supervision and vocal arrangements by Nick Finlow,[30] and orchestrations by Ethan Popp.[30]

After several weeks of performances, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Manchester Opera House posted to its website "We regret to announce that from this evening (Monday, 16 March 2020) the Manchester Opera House has closed in light of official government advice. All remaining performances of Back to the Future in Manchester were cancelled and the show will not reopen until it transfers to the West End."[33]

West End transfer (2021/2022)

In September 2020, the show announced the cancellation of its remaining Manchester run and a transfer to the Adelphi Theatre in the West End, where it opened on 13 September 2021.[34] In March 2022 the release of the Original Cast Album was announced, along with the extension of its run until 23 October 2022.[35] The production received 7 Laurence Olivier Award nominations in 2022, including Best New Musical and Best Original Score or New Orchestrations.[36]

Reception

The Guardian reported that fans of the franchise gave the Manchester tryout a 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."[37]

The show received a generally positive critical reception upon its West End opening.[38][39][40][41][42] The production design received widespread praise, and the performances of Bart, Dobson and Neal were reviewed positively. However, the new music by Ballard and Silvestri was panned by several critics.[citation needed]

Cast and characters

See also: List of Back to the Future characters
Character Manchester (2020)[43] West End (2021/2022)[43]
Marty McFly Olly Dobson
Emmett Brown Roger Bart
George McFly Hugh Coles
Lorraine Baines-McFly Rosanna Hyland
Goldie Wilson /
Marvin Berry 		Cedric Neal
Biff Tannen Aidan Cutler
Jennifer Parker Courtney-Mae Briggs
Principal Strickland/Mayor Red Thomas Mark Oxtoby
Dave McFly/Slick Will Haswell
Linda McFly Emma Lloyd
3D Shane O'Riordan
Clocktower Woman/Spokeswoman Katharine Pearson

Musical numbers

1 denotes not on the Original Cast Recording

Cast recording

Main article: Back to the Future: The Musical (Original Cast Recording)

The Back to the Future website originally 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 in the summer of 2021.[44] The announcement was accompanied by the release of Olly Dobson's rendition of "Back in Time", which was originally 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.[45][46]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominee Result
2022 Laurence Olivier Award 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 announced". BBC News. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b "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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Dawn, Randee (31 January 2014). "Great Scott! Back to the Future to return as a stage musical". NBC News. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  5. ^ Shoard, Catherine (5 February 2012). "Back to the Future, the musical? How will that work?". The Guardian. United Kingdom. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  6. ^ Kozinn, Allan (31 January 2014). "'Back to the Future' Musical Planned for London Opening". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  7. ^ Trueman, Matt (31 January 2014). "Back to the Future: 80s movie gets musical makeover". The Guardian. United Kingdom. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  8. ^ "Back to the Future". The Numbers. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  9. ^ Denham, Jess (31 January 2014). "Back to the Future musical to hit London's West End in 2015". The Independent. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  10. ^ "Back to the Future: stage musical version of 80s classic film to hit London's West End". Evening Standard. United Kingdom. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  11. ^ "'Back to the Future' musical planned for London stage with Broadway run a possibility". Daily News. New York City. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  12. ^ Brown, Mark (31 January 2014). "Time travel film Back to the Future to be adapted for West End as a musical". The Guardian. United Kingdom. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  13. ^ Maslin, Janet (3 July 1985). "In 'Future,' Boy Returns to the Past". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  14. ^ "Back to the Future (1985)". BBC Films. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  15. ^ "Back to the Future musical to debut on film's 30th anniversary". Daily Express. United Kingdom. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  16. ^ "'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.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ 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 17 May 2019.
  19. ^ Rome, Emily. "Back to the Future: The Musical: A Breakdown of the Original Cast Recording". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  20. ^ Bosanquet, Theo (29 August 2014). "Jamie Lloyd withdraws from Back to the Future after 'creative differences'". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  21. ^ a b c 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 22 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ "Marty this is it: UK theatre-goers will be first to see Back to the Future musical". Herald Scotland. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  24. ^ Bosanquet, Theo (31 January 2014). "Back to the Future musical set for West End in 2015". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  25. ^ Alibhai, Zaina (17 May 2019). "Back to the Future Musical cast, tour dates and when to get tickets". Metro. United Kingdom. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  26. ^ Wiegand, Chris (17 May 2019). "Great Scott! Back to the Future returns as a musical for 2020". The Guardian. United Kingdom. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  27. ^ McPhee, Ryan (17 May 2019). "Back to the Future Musical Sets 2020 World Premiere". Playbill. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  28. ^ Rome, Emily (2020-03-11). "Turn on the time machine — 'Back to the Future' is now a musical". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  29. ^ Mapstone, Lucy (17 May 2019). "Back To The Future musical to premiere in Manchester next year". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  30. ^ a b c d e f Snow, Georgia (17 May 2019). "Back to the Future musical confirms 2020 premiere". The Stage. United Kingdom. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  31. ^ Wood, Alex (17 May 2019). "Back to the Future musical to run in Manchester ahead of West End transfer". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  32. ^ "Back to the Future musical sets date for world premiere in Manchester". BBC News. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  33. ^ "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.
  34. ^ Evans, Greg (13 September 2021). "London's 'Back To The Future' Musical Opens Tonight Without Roger Bart: Star Tests Positive For Covid-19". Deadline. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  35. ^ "Back To The Future extends - Original Cast Album released!". London Box Office. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  36. ^ Yossman, K. J. (2022-03-08). "Eddie Redmayne, Jessie Buckley and Emma Corrin Nominated for Olivier Awards 2022". Variety. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ "Back to the Future: The Musical review – the car's the star". the Guardian. 2021-09-13. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  39. ^ Benedict, David (2021-09-14). "'Back to the Future' Review: West End Musical Is Lots of Fun Despite Flaws". Variety. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  40. ^ Curtis, Nick (2021-09-13). "Back to the Future the Musical review: It's enormous fun". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  41. ^ Lukowski, Andrzej. "'Back to the Future' review: ★★★ for this bombastic musical of the classic film". Time Out London. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  42. ^ Davis, Clive. "Back to the Future: The Musical review — classic stalls like an old DeLorean". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  43. ^ a b "Cast & Creative". Back to the Future the Musical. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  44. ^ "Sony Masterworks Broadway to release Original Cast Album to Back to the Future – The Musical". Back to the Future. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  45. ^ "Back to the Future: The Musical (Original Cast Recording) CD". Back to the Future™. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  46. ^ Original Cast of Back To The Future: The Musical (2021), Back To The Future: The Musical, Sony Music Classical, retrieved 2021-09-27
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