Mezzanine Musings: Back to the Future the Musical

(WARNING! This post contains a few spoilers. Read at your own risk!)

It was only a matter of time before this blockbuster film was destined to grace the stages of Broadway. But where the team was going, they did need roads, and they weren’t always easy. 

When it was announced that BTTF was going to be turned into a musical, die-hard fans of the movie trilogy and newbies alike shunned and criticized the idea. No one could imagine the skateboarding, rock-and-rolling Marty McFly singing about time travel and his other problems! But as any true fan knows, “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything”. 

And I’m so glad the team behind this show didn’t give up, because I LOVE Back to the Future the Musical. A round of applause for Bob Gale (book) and Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard (music and lyrics). 👏👏👏 

When I say I LOVE Back to the Future the Musical, I mean that I LOVE LOVE LOVE Back to the Future the Musical. I adore the movie, and I love musicals, so this show just combined two incredible things and made a masterpiece! Recently I was speaking to a friend who was unimpressed by BTTF. He’s a very kind guy, just obviously blinded because the show is SO FUN. (If you know who you are, no offense meant, let's agree to disagree!!)

Performed at the Winter Garden Theater in New York, the show was action packed and joyful, featuring original music for the musical as well as classic favorites from the movie like “Power of Love”, “Johnny B. Goode”, “Back in Time”, and “Earth Angel.” The technical aspect of the show was amazing - the lights and effects, including fire and spotlights, and the clever use of doubles were top notch. They had a physical DeLorean, and when it was supposed to be driving, a screen behind it would show a background zooming by, giving it the impression of a real driving car. At the end of the show, the car actually flew! But I’ll leave the inner working of that as a surprise. If you have a chance, GO SEE IT!

Because the team behind the musical came directly from the movie, they knew exactly how to tie everything in and also make room for those spontaneous group dance and song numbers that have to keep showing up. The humor was nailed with lots of classic lines from the movie (“Where we’re going, we don’t need roads”, “Great Scott!”, ).

One thing that inspires me personally is when I see a person up onstage who looks like they are absolutely having the time of their life. It doesn’t mean they’re breaking character or anything, but when you love what you do and you’re having fun onstage, it shows, and it makes your performance OH so much better. And the whole cast of Back to the Future had that energy!

There were some changes to the story, but they were few and far between. Notable ones would be the cause of Doc Brown’s death (instead of being shot by terrorists like in the movie, he was exposed to plutonium radiation and therefore wore a plutonium proof suit at the end of the show) and Jennifer’s connection to Huey Lewis (in the show, her "uncle Huey" comes to see Marty play at the end, hinting at the playful idea that Marty was the one who actually wrote "Power of Love", and Huey just stole it). There was even a reference to Wizard of Oz, and a joke about 2020 that hit a little close to home. 

The original show premiered in Manchester, England in 2022, with Olly Dobson as Marty McFly, Roger Bart (You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown) as Doc Brown, Hugh Coles as George McFly, and Rosanna Hyland as Lorraine Baines. Those voices are featured on the Original Cast Recording on Spotify. (Go listen to it! It’s FIRE, always on my regular rotation).

When the show premiered on Broadway at the Winter Garden in 2023, however, Casey Likes (Almost Famous) was cast as Marty McFly, with Liana Hunt (Mamma Mia!, Newsies) as Lorraine Baines. Both Bart and Coles remained in the cast. I was lucky enough to get to see those actors, the original Broadway cast! I still can’t believe it, over a year later. 

Casey Likes made an excellent Marty, his vocal inflections, expressions, and mannerisms very reminiscent of the movie. He also opened the show with a killer belt, so right off the bat gained a lot of respect from me. (I’m a belter, and I love hearing other people go for it!) Roger Bart was absolutely hilarious, hit all the comedic spots in the right places, and the dynamic between Marty and Doc was so fun to watch, they had the audience feeding out of their hands. Likes and Bart are two old hands who played two old friends, and they were evidently just having a blast onstage. Because I saw the show on Broadway twice, I noticed that the two aren’t afraid to ad-lib, and that’s because they’re comfortable with each other! And it makes each night priceless.

Hugh Coles made his Broadway debut as George McFly which has got to be a conspiracy or something because he was so good, no way was that his first time performing! From his accent to the way he walked, he had that role nailed to a T. Liana Hunt was an incredible Lorraine. She had a great belt and that unique power to draw the audience in when she was performing. I was so inspired, and she is now one of my favourite Broadway actresses and one of my biggest theater role models!

Another highlight was Jelani Remy, who took on the role of Goldie, as well as Martin Berry. 

Remy had an infectious energy about him and his joy on stage is immeasurable! The person who originated the role was quite good, but Remy is even better in my book. 

We had an understudy named Kimberly Immanuel play the role of Jennifer Parker, a smaller but still super important role, the first time we went. I love when we get to see an understudy! (Unless they’re understudying for Eva Noblezada 😖).

We were lucky enough to meet some of the actors at the stage door after the show, and even get pictures and signatures on my program. I will tell you, the stagedoor is not for the faint of heart, and sometimes I end up fighting my way to the front (sorry to anyone I might've accidentally pushed or shoved, I mean no harm, just a dedicated fan over here) but it’s WORTH IT. I got a picture with Marty, who was moving through kind of fast, but I’m still glad I got to meet him because he really was SO good. I got to meet LIANA HUNT, she is SOOOOO COOL! What an absolute dream. I admire how she took time to talk to and thank every single fan, because honestly, actors don’t always realize how much it means to us audience members when you take time to acknowledge us! So thank you to every actor who's ever been to a stagedoor. Your time means the world! 

Many of the cast and writers of the show were nominated for audience choice awards, including Roger Bart and Casey Likes as the best onstage pair. Those two thrive on stage together!

If you couldn’t tell from this post, I love the show SO much and would definitely suggest it to anyone who is remotely interested in the 80s, the 50s, Musicals, Time Travel, or Huey Lewis and the News. If you’re interested, do a little more research! Listen to the cast album! Spread the (Huey Lewis and the) news!

As always, thank you so much for reading. Make sure to stop and smell the roses! Curtain up!

Rosie