The reviews are rolling in for the Olivier-winning production of Back to the Future: the Musical, which officially opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre August 3 after beginning previews June 30. The musical had its opening night celebration last week on July 25 with the cast from the original film (including Michael J. Fox). It was a gala performance benefitting the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Based on the 1985 Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, Back to the Future: the Musical has a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy winner Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy winner Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film, including "The Power of Love" and "Johnny B. Goode." John Rando directs.
Casey Likes (Almost Famous) stars as Marty McFly, alongside Tony winner Roger Bart and Olivier nominee Hugh Coles, both reprising their West End roles as Doc Brown and George McFly.
They are joined by Liana Hunt as Lorraine Baines, Jelani Remy as Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry, Nathaniel Hackmann as Biff Tannen, Merritt David Janes as Strickland, and Mikaela Secada as Jennifer Parker.
The ensemble includes Amber Ardolino, Will Branner, Victoria Byrd, Brendon Chan, Kevin Curtis, Nick Drake, Samuel Gerber, Marc Heitzman, Kimberly Immanuel, Joshua Kenneth Allen Johnson, Hannah Kevitt, JJ Niemann, Becca Petersen, Emma Pittman, Jonalyn Saxer, Blakely Slaybaugh, Gabi Stapula, and Daryl Tofa. Rounding out the company as swings are Samuel Gerber, Kimberly Immanuel, Joshua Kenneth Allen Johnson, Blakely Slaybaugh, and Gabi Stapula.
Read the reviews here:
The Chicago Tribune (Chris Jones)*
Entertainment Weekly (Dalton Ross)
The Hollywood Reporter (Frank Scheck)
New York Theatre Guide (Gillian Russo)
New York Theater (Jonathan Mandell)
The New York Times (Jesse Green)
New York Stage Review (Steven Suskin, Elysa Gardner)
TheaterMania (Zachary Stewart)
The Wall Street Journal (Charles Isherwood)*
*This review requires creating a free account or a paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
John Rando has reunited his entire London creative team for the Broadway bow of Back to the Future: the Musical. The production features set and costume design by Tim Hatley, lighting design by Tim Lutkin and Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Gareth Owen, video design by Finn Ross, choreography by Chris Bailey, musical supervision and arrangements by Nick Finlow, music direction by Ted Arthur, illusions by Chris Fisher, orchestrations by Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, and dance arrangements by David Chase. Casting is by Tara Rubin.
The production stage manager is Julia Jones, the company manager is Eduardo M. Castro, the music coordinator is Kristy Norter, and the fight director is Maurice Chan. Richard Fitch is the international associate director, Taylor Haven Holt is the US associate director, Darren Carnall is the UK associate choreographer, and Beth Crandell is the US associate choreographer. The associate set design is Ross Edwards. Wig, hair, and make-up design is by Campbell Young and Associates.
The musical enjoyed a world premiere at Manchester Opera House in 2020, a run that was cut short due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The production transferred to London's West End the following year, earning seven Olivier Award nominations and winning Best New Musical.
Back to the Future: the Musical is produced by Colin Ingram, Donovan Mannato, Deborah Dutcher, Tom Viertel, Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, Hunter Arnold, Playing Field, Robert L. Hutt, Ivy Herman, Hallee Adelman, Teresa Tsai, Bob McLynn, Kimberly Magarro, Crush Music, Universal Theatre Group, Sony Masterwork, and Augury.
