Video: Al Roker Makes a Cameo in Broadway's Back to the Future

Longtime NBC Today anchor Al Roker made a surprise appearance in Broadway's Back to the Future March 28. Roker stepped into the role of Principal Strickland (normally played by Merritt David Janes) in his one-night-only engagement. See Roker sharing the stage with Casey Likes, Roger Bart, and more in the video above.

"The cast and crew are so lovely, and they treated me just so nicely," Roker said on Today the following morning. "Roger Bart plays Doc Brown, and he is Broadway royalty. To be able to share a scene with Roger Bart was a dream come true."

Roker was last seen on a Broadway stage in 2018, when he made his principal debut with a limited run as Joe in Waitress. He also appeared as a guest star in The Play What I Wrote in 2003.

Back to the Future: the Musical officially opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre August 3 after beginning previews June 30. 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.

Click here to buy Back to the Future merchandise.

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 U.S. associate director, Darren Carnall is the U.K. associate choreographer, and Beth Crandall is the U.S. associate choreographer. The associate set designer is Ross Edwards. Wig, hair, and make-up design are 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.