Back to the Future the Musical

Back to the Future the Musical is a musical with music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard and a book by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, adapted from their original screenplay. 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".

Back to the Future the Musical
MusicAlan Silvestri
LyricsGlen Ballard
BookRobert Zemeckis
Bob Gale
BasisBack to the Future
by Robert Zemeckis
Bob Gale
Premiere20 February 2020 (2020-02-20):
Manchester Opera House
Productions2020 Manchester

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 screen star Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly, and Tony Award winner Roger Bart as Doc Brown, originally portrayed by Christopher Lloyd.

Background

During a question and answer session at a 2004 DeLorean convention, Bob Gale said that "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 (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 initially was scheduled to direct the show,[17] but withdrew from the project in September 2014, citing creative differences with Bob Gale.[18] Lloyd's withdrawal from the production was expected to delay the world premiere until at least 2016, and a new director was sought.[19] The delay in production marked several other departures of the original creative team including Soutra Gilmour withdrawing as designer,[20] Jon Clark as lighting designer,[20] Alan Williams as musical supervisor[20] and Andrew Willis as skating consultant.[21][22][23]

While discussing the project, writer Bob Gale said the stage version would "retell our story on stage in a brand new way".[24]

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,[25] at the Manchester Opera House and then a West End transfer.[26] The production was directed by John Rando,[27] choreography by Chris Bailey,[28] set and costume design by Tim Hatley,[29] video design by Finn Ross, lighting by Hugh Vanstone,[28] fight and stunt direction by Maurice Chan and illusions by Chris Fisher.[28] 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".[30] sound design is by Gareth Owen,[28] musical supervision and vocal arrangements by Nick Finlow[28] and orchestrations by Ethan Popp.[28]

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."[31]

West End transfer (2021)

It was announced on 7 September 2020 that the show would cancel its remaining Manchester run and transfer to the Adelphi Theatre in the West End. It is set to begin preview performances 14 May 2021 when theatres re-open.[32] The show is slated to run until 19 December 2021, with the same cast as the Manchester world premiere to return following the transfer.

Reception

The Guardian reported that fans of the film franchise gave the play glowing reviews, saying it is "a wonderful tribute to the film" and "The final action sequence alone was worth the price of admission. This is the new standard of spectacle, I feel like people are going to be talking about this for a long time."[33]

Cast and characters
Cast and characters of Back to the Future
Character Manchester (2020)[34] West End (2021)[34]
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
Gerald Strickland Mark Oxtoby
Dave McFly Will Haswell
Linda McFly Emma Lloyd

The Ensemble included Oliver Ormson, Rhianne Alleyne, Amy Barker, Owen Chaponda, Jamal Crawford, Nathanael Landskroner, Bethany Rose Lythgoe, Cameron McAllister, Alessia McDermott, Laura Mullowney, Katharine Pearson, Jemma Revell, Jake Small, Justin Thomas and Mitchell Zhangazha.

References
  1. "Back to the Future musical announced". BBC News. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  2. "Back To The Future Musical To Land In West End". Sky News. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  3. "Back to the Future musical delayed to 2016, director leaves". DenOfGeek.com. 1 September 2014. 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. "Back to the Future, the musical? How will that work?". The Guardian. UK. 5 February 2012. 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. "Back to the Future: 80s movie gets musical makeover". The Guardian. UK. 31 January 2014. 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. UK. 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. "Time travel film Back to the Future to be adapted for West End as a musical". The Guardian. UK. 31 January 2014. 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. UK. 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. "'Back To The Future' musical set to open in the West End on 2015". NME. UK. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  18. "Jamie Lloyd steps down from Back to the Future musical". The Stage. UK. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  19. "Jamie Lloyd withdraws from Back to the Future after 'creative differences'". Whats On Stage. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  20. "Musical Version of Back to the Future Set to Open in West End in 2015". Playbill. 31 January 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  21. "'Back to the Future' Musical Planned for London". Associated Press. 31 January 2014. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  22. "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.
  23. "Back to the Future musical set for West End in 2015". Whats On Stage. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  24. "Back to the Future Musical cast, tour dates and when to get tickets". Metro. UK. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  25. "Great Scott! Back to the Future returns as a musical for 2020". The Guardian. UK. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  26. "Back to the Future Musical Sets 2020 World Premiere". Playbill. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  27. "Back To The Future musical to premiere in Manchester next year". Irish Independent. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  28. "Back to the Future musical confirms 2020 premiere". The Stage. UK. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  29. "Back to the Future musical to run in Manchester ahead of West End transfer". Whats On Stage. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  30. "Back to the Future musical sets date for world premiere in Manchester". BBC News. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  31. "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.
  32. "Back to the Future: The Musical | Adelphi Theatre". LW Theatres. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  33. Campbell, Lucy (23 February 2020). "'This is the new standard for spectacle': fans react to the Back to the Future musical". theguardian.com. The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  34. "cast & creative".
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