Back To The Future previews — Page 5

tinmanic said: "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."

Thought that was an interesting change too. Definitely because they’re trying to be more politically correct. They think escaping from the Libyan terrorists doesn’t work in 2023.

Interesting reviews! What do you think critics will say on opening night?

DramaTeach said: "pablitonizer said: "Interesting reviews! What do you think critics will say on opening night?"

I’m expecting mixed. Praise for Hugh, Casey and the effects, but mixed to negative for everything else."

Hugh was the best thing in the London production.

Not in any capacity.

for such a visual show - don’t sit on the far sides of the mezz. You’ll miss half the show. Not cool. They are actually partial view. Selling for full price!!

This is yet another 'you'll leave humming the set' kind of show.

It's a very expensive theme park production. I saw the OLC and still can't remember ONE song.

That said, the tourists and nostalgists are going to shovel this in, over and over. They don't care about great music in a musical. They want to hear the Huey Lewis song.

Popular said: "Huge fan of the movie (trilogy) & really hoping to get a chance to see the show towards the end of the year.

Just an observation that, unless I missed something, I have not read one comment about the Biff character. Is it written pretty true to the movie?"

Yes - and the actor playing him was decent. He has one song (with his henchmen) which is unmemorable like the rest.

Looking to see it in the next couple of weeks. Availability is fairly decent still, are there any discount codes still out there?

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."

Who ARE you people? Doors open at half-hour is how it was forever. It may well be how it is on B'way now, which is why I asked the question. As people pointed out, this was a first preview. Half hour enables people to find their seats, read their programs, etc. Fifteen minutes is ridiculous anywhere, unless there's a technical issue, but it's what I've been seeing here in Los Angeles, even at larger theaters. You want to get into a sarcasm fest, keep it up. You'll lose, but it'll be fun.

pagereynolds said: "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?"

Apparently they don't realize that - it's more fun for them to make an obnoxious response on a message board. Add to the obvious things you mention, sitting and reading the program.

Shubert Alley Cat said: "Saw it last night. Had a really fun time. This was my yext to my friend as I left the show:

Back to the Future … well the actual musical elements are pretty lame. BUT the stage tech might be the most incredible I have ever seen. What happens with the car in the finale is unreal."


Saw it in London last month, and I had similar thoughts. I wrote this right after:



“What an insane production.

Is the music good? Not really. Is it bad? I wouldn’t say that either. It’s corny, which sort of fit the show for me.

Regardless the performances were great, really strong cast, and the physical production was stunning. The car?!?! Still gobsmacked by the finale.”



I’ve seen a lot of shows, I have a place in my heart for a Hadestown, and for a Back to the Future.

Mmmmm saw this yesterday and it reminds me of Rocky that played the same theatre, all visual but poor book and score with weak acting to boot.

i cannot see BTTF fairing any better.

"Tourists have taste and intelligence, too, you know. "

Too many of the "Broadway Legends" seem to have such utter contempt for tourists that come to NYC to see some shows. It seems like they believe they are a bunch of fools who will like almost anything. So many posts say things like a show sucks but the tourists will love it.

Updated On: 7/8/23 at 11:05 PM