Broadway Time Travels: A Tale of ‘Back to the Future: The Musical’s’ Transatlantic Journey
After a triumphant two-year run at London’s illustrious Adelphi Theatre, the acclaimed Back to the Future: The Musical is now ready to grace the stage of Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre. Its grand debut in the heart of Manhattan’s theatre district is pencilled in for August 3.
The stage adaptation enjoyed a wave of critical praise in London, where it was awarded the 2022 Olivier Awards for both Best New Musical and Best Original Score. The creative maestros who stirred such a success in the British capital are returning to helm the Broadway version, with original cast members Roger Bart and Hugh Coles reprising their roles as Doc Brown and George McFly, respectively.
The recent episode of The Broadway Show with Tamsen Fadal found the team behind the production effervescent with anticipation and pride as they approach the initial previews scheduled for June 30. Notably, Jelani Remy, the actor stepping into the shoes of Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry, suggested that this musical is essentially a heartfelt tribute to the Back to the Future fanbase. The promise is that the audience will relive the thrill of the original movie and much more.
Considering the beloved status of the original film, the production team has been mindful of maintaining the distinct feel and tone that made it a cultural touchstone.
Composer-lyricist Alan Silvestri acknowledged the enormous responsibility that the team carried, with fans voicing concerns about tampering with their cherished film. The guiding principle for the team was to capture the essence of the original film, as its absence would undermine the entire endeavour.
Navigating the project has involved a fine balance between paying homage to the film and rejuvenating it as a musical. The soundtrack is a vibrant mix of four iconic songs from the film, supplemented with a wealth of new compositions to infuse diverse musical styles into the performance.
Gary McFly’s portrayer, Hugh Coles, highlighted the unique structure of the film and consequently the musical, which playfully hops around different eras. This permits a thrilling mixture of classic Broadway pieces from the 1950s with 1985 pop tunes, resulting in a delightful disparity in the musical numbers.
Casey Likes, the fortunate actor tasked with portraying Marty McFly, expressed his exhilaration and reverence for the role. The magnitude of the privilege to embody a character that is the dream alter ego for so many wasn’t lost on him, and he asserted his determination to live up to the lofty standards.
