The “Back to the Future” musical has begun a North American tour. Longtime friend of the podcast Douglas Arthur caught the show in upstate New York and offers this review.
Schenectady, NY – The touring production of the big-budget Broadway musical version of the beloved 1985 sci-fi comedy film “Back To The Future” launched its North American tour June 6, 2024 at the legendary Proctors Theater in Schenectady, NY.
Brought to the stage by co-screenwriter Bob Gale and composer Alan Silvestri, the high-tech production will leave you speechless with the electronic wizardry and old-fashioned stage magic used to create the special effects necessary to bring this time-traveling yarn to life.
Joined in their endeavor by musician Glen Ballard, who is probably best known as the producer and co-writer of Alanis Morrisette’s 1995 alt-rock album of the year, “Jagged Little Pill” (itself turned into a musical some years back), the three have created a strong book and collection of songs that will entertain both the oldest fans and neophytes alike.
As one might guess, there are some necessary, though minor, changes to the story (for example, there is no terrorist attack that precipitates Marty’s jump back to 1955, and some minor characters like Goldie Wilson are given bigger roles) but the framework is solidly familiar and just as entertaining as the film.
My only quibble is the original songs themselves. Most of them are decent enough, good in the moment, but like most modern Broadway musicals I’ve seen, are ultimately forgettable. The songs aren’t bad, but not memorable enough to hum on the way out of the theater. Still the performances on display were quite good. The highlights are when they play “Johnny B. Good” during the Enchantment Under the Sea dance, and when Marty and the gang play “Power of Love” and “Back in Time” at the very end.
My guess is most people won’t remember the songs because of the dazzling stage effects that will make you believe that the Delorean is driving around on stage and at the end, flying! The illusions were created with a combination of computer effects, rear projection, front projection, multiple layers of scrims and screens, and good old-fashioned flashing lights and smoke and mirrors. Truly astounding in ways I didn’t think were possible for a stage production.
I think Bono and the gang should take some notes if they want to revamp the ill-fated “Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark” show. This is how it is done! I think the most stunning thing to me is that with all the technical things that could have gone wrong with this show, everything went off to near perfection. Kudos to the whole ensemble for making this all work.
The cast itself is a wonder and interacts with the special effects with such aplomb that they are never drowned out. It could have been very lopsided with the effects taking over, but this touring cast really makes it all come together and work cohesively. Don Stephenson and Caden Brauch are terrific as Doc and Marty, while Burke Swanson and Zan Berube really made me feel like I was watching Crispin Glover and Lea Thompson. Ethan Rogers was a sublime personification of Biff Tannen mixing physical presence and a surprising voice to make him come alive.
The audience favorite, however, was Cartreze Tucker in the dual role of Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry. His voice was astounding and soulful. He stole most every scene he was in.
Proctors Theater is a vaudeville era theater located just a few blocks from GE headquarters and, thanks to its proximity to New York City, is often used by Broadway touring shows for practice runs and rehearsals, which is probably why we were treated to an appearance at the end of the show by Bob Gale and Alan Silvestri who came out to take bows with the cast and crew. Bob said a few words, thanking us all for coming to the opening night of the tour and that it was the realization of a long dream that he had back in 2006 to bring “Back to the Future” to the stage. This echoed the theme of the show itself as when Doc Brown sings about his dreams of inventing time travel or Goldie sings about quitting his job at the soda shop and becoming mayor.
My wife and I took all four of our college age kids to go see it, and despite the fact only my daughter had seen the films, they unilaterally loved it! Half my enjoyment was watching their reactions during the show. They laughed at all the right moments, dropped their jaws at the stage magic, and even covered their eyes and cringed during the implied near incest of the Marty/Lorraine relationship.
My advice, as this show begins to make its way around the country, is to not hesitate to buy your tickets. The three days of shows here sold out quickly. You really won’t want to miss out on this magical theater experience.
You can find more information about tour dates on backtothefuturemusical.com.
–Douglas “The General” Arthur