Thoughts on Back to the Future The Musical?

[LesMiz24601]

Posted: 5/28/19 at 7:36pm

Just wondering if anyone had thoughts on the announcement that the Back to the Future Musical is slated for a UK premiere next spring? 

http://www.playbill.com/article/back-to-the-future-musical-sets-2020-world-premiere

While I tend to roll my eyes whenever I see another screen to stage transplant, I have always thought BTTF would make an excellent musical. Besides already having great songs from the film, the combination of the musical styles from the 1980s and 1950s is very intriguing. 

Also, for fun, if you could travel in time to 2021, is BTTF the Musical playing on Broadway? Or has it been erased from existence?

Updated On: 5/28/19 at 07:36 PM

[hveasey]

Posted: 5/28/19 at 11:37pm

I have hopes this could work very well. I like the team involved with it and it does seem like something that could adapt fairly easily to the stage if done right.

Starting in the UK also seems like the right move as Broadway is a bit saturated with movie adaptations right now but that may lessen in a year or two (I’d be amazed to see Pretty Woman, King Kong, and Beetlejuice still running then and whether Tootsie will have legs is still up in the air so there should be space depending on what opens between now and a possible Broadway run.)

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 5/28/19 at 11:52pm

I was completely against this until you mentioned the 50s and 80s combination. Considering they would have sort of a modern flare (ie have this be a 2010's look of the 80's looking at the 50's), with the right composer, this could be fantastic.

Still I'm worried about the design of the show, as the movie has holograms and flying cars, they might aim for a huge spectacle, which could easily end similarly to Spiderman and flop hard. With the right team/design, it could work, but it's still a huge risk from what I can see.

Updated On: 5/28/19 at 11:52 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/28/19 at 11:59pm

I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully they’ll announce the West End dates soon.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/29/19 at 1:59am

I’m excited. I hope the DeLorean effects are handled well. It could end up looking like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

[robbie_731]

Posted: 5/29/19 at 10:02am

Just to clarify, this show is only going to be based on the first movie, not the second or third, so there will be no hover boards, holograms, or flying cars (except maybe at the very end).

As for casting, only Marty is officially cast so far.

Roger Bart played Doc Brown in the workshops a few years ago, so maybe he might have a chance at returning (maybe not though, since it's probably gonna be a UK cast).

[Alice147]

Posted: 5/29/19 at 12:13pm

"the combination of the musical styles from the 1980s and 1950s is very intriguing."

I definitely agree with this. Plus, Manchester has good form for successful pre-West End productions. The same venue is premiering & Juliet this year as well. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/29/19 at 12:51pm

I have to admit: this doesn't scream musical to me - but why not?  I'd be willing to give it a shot.  

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 6/11/19 at 2:08am

They gave a sneak peak into the music for the show, and listening to it, kind of growing on me tbh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaTj0xpIK3I

The only thing lacking so far is the lyrics imo, but I could see this working a lot better on stage

Edit: Didn't even know this was the second song teased, interesting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avqF_XVuq7M

Updated On: 6/11/19 at 02:08 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/11/19 at 12:33pm

I like how Put Your Mind To It is a nod to the sound of Huey Lewis, but the lyrics are not good.  And though it may be sort of shameless to include Power of Love, I adore the song, so I don't really mind it.  I just wonder how they're going to shoehorn it into the show.

The show certainly has potential to be an entertaining crowd-pleaser.  Fingers crossed it's miles better than the ill-fated Peggy Sue Got Married.  I attended opening night of Peggy Sue in London and...oof.  A handful of cute songs and a knockout performance by Ruthie Henshall (This Time Around being a showstopper and the most memorable song in the show) couldn't save the WTF numbers, the dull book and the paint-by-numbers staging and direction.  I think Back to the Future has better source material, but it also comes with the curse of being one of the most beloved and iconic films of its era.

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 6/11/19 at 1:17pm

Mister Matt said: "I think Back to the Future has better source material, but it also comes with the curse of being one of the most beloved and iconic films of its era."

Agreed, tho I would have never said Back to the Future was begging to be a musical. Still, the ideas so far aren't bad so I can't wait for someone to report back to us once previews start next year.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 6/11/19 at 1:58pm

I hope there's a big dance number called "Make Like a Tree and Get Outta Here."

[darquegk]

Posted: 6/11/19 at 6:47pm

Previously I had heard that the Doc Brown track contained five different Doc Browns at different points on the timeline, which suggests that they’re incorporating either some new material or elements of the sequels. Judging by the movies, it would be fifties Doc, eighties Doc, twenty-first century Doc, and... Wild West Doc? Don’t know what the fifth would be.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/11/19 at 9:40pm

I'm game. I like everything I've seen and heard so far.

[cougarnewtin]

Posted: 6/12/19 at 12:48am

I... Really don't like that song. It fits the sound of Back to the Future very well, but something about it just seems so... Off to me. Other people have pointed out the shoddy lyrics but honestly I think it's something other than that as well.

I'm usually fine with musicals adapted from movies (especially in comparison to other people on this board) but damn I really don't have any interest in this show. And Back to the Future is my favorite movie, so that's saying something.

[broadway.4me2]

Posted: 10/15/19 at 9:41am

"Roger Bart Will Star In BACK TO THE FUTURE THE MUSICAL" https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Roger-Bart-Will-Star-In-BACK-TO-THE-FUTURE-THE-MUSICAL-20191015

 

Updated On: 10/15/19 at 09:41 AM

[carolinaguy]

Posted: 10/15/19 at 9:43am

Listen to John Mulaney's bit on a pitch meeting for Back to the Future and the entire franchise will be ruined for you forever, lol.

[broadway.4me2]

Posted: 10/15/19 at 9:46am

carolinaguy said: "Listen to John Mulaney's bit on a pitch meeting for Back to the Future and the entire franchise will be ruined for you forever, lol."

I've heard it! So funny! He even asked Michael J. Fox "How did Marty and Doc become friends?" when Michael was a guest on "Oh, Hello" 

Updated On: 10/15/19 at 09:46 AM

[zainmax]

Posted: 10/15/19 at 11:07am

broadway.4me2 said: ""Roger Bart Will Star In BACK TO THE FUTURE THE MUSICAL"https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Roger-Bart-Will-Star-In-BACK-TO-THE-FUTURE-THE-MUSICAL-20191015

"I feel Roger Bart is a good fit.

 

[magictodo123]

Posted: 10/15/19 at 11:09am

givesmevoice said: "I hope there's a big dance number called "Make Like a Tree and Get Outta Here.""

HAHA Perfect. 

Also Roger Bart is perfect casting for Doc. Love it! 

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 10/15/19 at 11:23am

Love Roger Bart; this is exciting news! Hope to see it on Broadway if it does well in the UK.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 10/15/19 at 12:01pm

Mister Matt said: "I think Back to the Future has better source material, but it also comes with the curse of being one of the most beloved and iconic films of its era."

In addition it's a film that relies very heavily on the performances of Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. Just look at how the studio was willing to let Zemeckis reshoot five weeks of material when they realized that the comedy just wasn't landing with Eric Stoltz in the lead role, despite Zemeckis saying he was a wonderful actor and totally professional. When watching those few clips of Stoltz in the role you can see that there is some certain spark that Michael J. Fox brought to the role that made everything click. That's going to be hard to replicate, though I wish them luck in trying.

(We've also seen Roger Bart already attempt to recreate an absolutely iconic comedic role on stage with less than stellar results. Again hoping that this effort is more fruitful.)

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/15/19 at 8:33pm

AEA AGMA SM said: "We've also seen Roger Bart already attempt to recreate an absolutely iconic comedic role on stage with less than stellar results. Again hoping that this effort is more fruitful."

That was my first thought as well.

[Bwayornoway]

Posted: 10/15/19 at 9:33pm

I think Roger Bart will add a bit of his zaniness and combine it with a bit of 'Classic Doc' to make a character that is familiar but isn't an impersonation of Lloyd's Doc.  I think he is a great fit - Hope it makes it over to this side of the pond.  I think this show will work as a musical - it has a source that is almost 100 percent perfect and a part of so many childhoods   That alone will bring the people in!

 

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 10/16/19 at 12:24am

I thought that this was a great idea the moment I heard that Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd were going to be recast in their original roles. Oh, you say that I understood wrong. Lloyd looks spry at 81 and just married for the fifth time in 2016. Michael J. could get some humor out of his Parkinsons. 

I thought that this was doomed from the first I heard of it because the success of the film and its extension into two sequels was dependent on the chemistry between the leading characters. Lloyd in particular created a really unique character. 

I kind of compare this to the original Star Trek series. It had a lot of silly plots and cheesy sets, but the chemistry between the three leads was huge. 

It's not my money behind it so I'm happy to see them give it a shot, but all will depend on the casting.