Back To The Future previews — Page 4

It's hard to believe this beat out MOULIN ROUGE in London for Best Musical.

I didn’t even realise it won that award lol. But in general just another case example of why I consistently find the standards of musical theatre in London particularly new musicals to be lower than NYC (still the 2nd best in the world and amazing too at times but it’s just not equivalent).

starlightlocamotion said: "The show won Best Musical at the oliver awards last season. Beating out the likes of FROZEN & MOULIN ROUGE. While that might seem a low bar to some, I find it to be a pretty encouraging sign that this show has legs."

I don't think this really means anything. Broadway is a lot different from the West End. It's far more likely that this show won't even be open next spring come awards time. Not to say anything about it being good or bad (I don't know) but it's a long haul through the winter here.

Definitely think this is leagues better than PRETTY WOMAN & DOUBTFIRE. Not to mention I believe this IP has broader reach in terms of who it will appeal to, and no controversy around the property itself.

I was also at the first preview on Friday and really enjoyed it. I saw both Bob Gale and Alan Silvestri seated in the audience. There were definite logistical issues. The house opened at 7:45 so the show started at 8:19. And intermission ran close to 30 min. I somehow still managed to catch my 11:17 train out of Penn though but doors were closing as I got there.

Anyway, I thought the show itself was in great shape for a first run through with an audience. Casey, Roger, and Hugh are the standouts but everyone else was really good too. The show is pure spectacle but also entertaining and it is definitely nice to have another show that families with kids can enjoy together. Most of the original songs are pretty forgettable but the spectacle and acting more than make up for it. Looking forward to going again after opening.

I was seated in the Rear Orchestra and there was SRO. Not sure if that has been announced officially or if was just for Friday night. There is also a gift shop next door to the theater so you don't need a ticket to shop. Lots of great merch at this one.

Luminaire2 said: "RWPrincess said: "I was also at the first preview on Friday and really enjoyed it. I saw both Bob Gale and Alan Silvestri seated in the audience. There were definite logistical issues. The house opened at 7:45 so the show started at 8:19. And intermission ran close to 30 min. I somehow still managed to catch my 11:17 train out of Penn though but doors were closing as I got there.

Anyway, I thought the show itself was in great shape for a first run through with an audience. Casey, Roger, and Hugh are the standouts but everyone else was really good too. The show is pure spectacle but also entertaining and it is definitely nice to have another show that families with kids can enjoy together. Most of the original songs are pretty forgettable but the spectacle and acting more than make up for it. Looking forward to going again after opening.

I was seated in the Rear Orchestra and there was SRO. Not sure if that has been announced officially or if was just for Friday night. There is also a gift shop next door to the theater so you don't need a ticket to shop. Lots of great merch at this one.








How does the finale car effect look from the orchestra?

When we saw the show last month in London, we were in the mezzanine and so it was about eye level with us. The illusion was incredible from up there, very curious how it plays from below?"

My seat was extreme side in the back so I thought the view was great but walking out, I wondered if I should get a mezzanine seat next time. Bob Gale and Alan Silvestri were not seated together in the Orchestra but Bob was about halfway back and Alan was a bit closer to the stage, maybe about 7 or 8 rows back.

bk said: "RWPrincess said: "I was also at the first preview on Friday and really enjoyed it. I saw both Bob Gale and Alan Silvestri seated in the audience. There were definite logistical issues. The house opened at 7:45 so the show started at 8:19. And intermission ran close to 30 min. I somehow still managed to catch my 11:17 train out of Penn though but doors were closing as I got there.

Anyway, I thought the show itself was in great shape for a first run through with an audience. Casey, Roger, and Hugh are the standouts but everyone else was really good too. The show is pure spectacle but also entertaining and it is definitely nice to have another show that families with kids can enjoy together. Most of the original songs are pretty forgettable but the spectacle and acting more than make up for it. Looking forward to going again after opening.

I was seated in the Rear Orchestra and there was SRO. Not sure if that has been announced officially or if was just for Friday night. There is also a gift shop next door to the theater so you don't need a ticket to shop. Lots of great merch at this one.





"

Is this now a thing, opening the house at 7:45? They do that regularly in community theater and now regional houses and I find it completely obnoxious."

It was opening preview and there was some technical stuff still being worked out.

bk said: "Is this now a thing, opening the house at 7:45? They do that regularly in community theater and now regional houses and I find it completely obnoxious."

This was a first preview. This is what happens at first previews. If you don't like it, see the show after it opens.

RippedMan said: "What’s the set do that’s so impressive and the car? Is it more interesting than the magic carpet in Aladdin because I’d imagine it’s the same type of tech."

Some of the lighting branches out into the audience. Maybe that’s impressive? From the pictures I’ve seen it does look neat. I haven’t seen the show though so I don’t know how neat it actually is.

R. GreenFinch said: ""Is this now a thing, opening the house at 7:45? They do that regularly in community theater and now regional houses and I find it completely obnoxious."

Yes, because they usually have things to run or fix before then. These are real people working to keep things safe.

I'm surprised you're dragging community and regional theaters in particular, who are usually underfunded and dealing with the resources they have. Every second counts, including the half hour you apparently want to stare at the empty stage to feel comfortable.

Go to the movies instead if you want that kind of precise schedule."

You do realize it takes more than 15 minutes to load a huge theatre with people, seat them, allow them to use the restroom, etc, right?

R. GreenFinch said:

Yes, because they usually have things to run or fix before then. These are real people working to keep things safe.

I'm surprised you're dragging community and regional theaters in particular, who are usually underfunded and dealing with the resources they have. Every second counts, including the half hour you apparently want to stare at the empty stage to feel comfortable.

Go to the movies instead if you want that kind of precise schedule."

Love

Just got back from the show. I must say, as a huge "Back to the Future" fan (one of my top 4 films), I had relatively low expectations. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed myself. It's not Sondheim, but it's a delightfully goofy and entertaining experience that should be a must-see for fans of the film. It definitely has one too many songs and some... interesting lyrics, but it's just a great time overall. The entire cast gives their all, and the last two minutes alone are worth the price of a ticket. and to answer the question above-

Updated On: 7/7/23 at 12:02 AM

Back to the Future is my all-time favorite movie. I'm also a veteran NYC theatergoer. What happens when these two interests collide...?

I saw it last night and it was not good. It seemed like a parody of a screen-to-stage musical. If the TV show "30 Rock" had an episode that included excerpts from an imaginary Back to the Future musical, this is what it would be like.

The best thing about it was Hugh Coles, who does a dead-on recreation of Crispin Glover's movie performance. On the other hand, his performance seemed mostly imitative and I would have liked to see him put more of his own spin on the role. I thought Casey Likes did a decent job as Marty, I guess.

It was also cool to see the car on stage.

The climatic scene near the end was really well done.

I did not like Roger Bart as Doc Brown at all. Mugging, overacting, awful. He made Doc seem like an idiot. And he used this raspy voice like Alex Brightman in Beetlejuice. There were a couple of times where he and Casey Likes volleyed the same lines back and forth to each other, for way too long. I guess that was supposed to be funny.

The music was unmemorable. The Act II opening number was a truly WTF moment.

Plot-change spoiler regarding the moment when Marty goes back in time:

I can't believe this thing won the Olivier. I need to wipe it from my memory so I can go back and just enjoy the movie trilogy again.