1.21 GIGAWATTS OF THRILLS ON STAGE

REVIEW: BACK TO THE FUTURE THE MUSICAL

BY RYAN M. LUEVANO

The Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical, Back to the Future: The Musical, will have its Los Angeles premiere at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre for a limited four-week engagement from November 5th to December 1st, 2024. The critically acclaimed West End production of BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical officially opened in London on September 13, 2021, and has been seen by over 800,000 people to date, breaking multiple Adelphi Theatre box office records. The production won the Best New Musical Olivier Award, as well as multiple WhatsOnStage Awards and a Broadway World Award for Best New Musical. Back to the Future: The Musical features a book by Bob Gale, new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winning Glen Ballard.

The opening night was kicked off in style with American songwriter and lyricist Glen Ballard arriving at the Pantages Theatre in a DeLorean time machine, complete with smoke and a flux capacitor. It was a fitting start for the highly anticipated Back to the Future (BTF) the Musical, and it set the tone for a magical evening. As the musical unfolded, it became evident that it was a faithful recreation of the beloved movie, bringing its sci-fi time travel story to life on stage. With the creative minds behind the movie also involved in the musical, it was clear that the production was in the best of hands for this ambitious undertaking.

The book by screenwriter Bob Gale did a fantastic job of adapting the screenplay to the stage. Gale maintained the same structure as the movie and preserved the film’s iconic lines, while also adding extra comedic elements to enhance the stage production. However, the music and lyrics fell short, with forgettable tunes and cliché lyrics. Despite this, the most musically captivating moments were the orchestral theme from Back to the Future, which added an extra layer of excitement during visually stunning scenes. Additionally, the inclusion of popular songs from the film such as “The Power of Love” and a lively rendition of “Johnny B. Goode” provided entertaining musical highlights.

The main highlight of the musical was the fantastical recreations of action sequences and the spectacle of time travel from screen to stage. BTF, the musical was a visual delight and a roller coaster of a musical ride. The opening of the musical with an animated projection over a scrim set the tone for the show, making us feel like we’ve just strapped into a ride at Disneyland. The show kept defying the limitations of the stage and our expectations at every turn. Audiences are awed as the time machine soured, sets changed in an instant, how they recreated the famous clock tower lighting sequence on stage, and a final surprise to close the show. BTF the musical is one of those shows you see because you love the movie and because you want awe at the amazing pyrotechnics that fill the stage at every turn.

The final element that brought this show to life was the stellar cast and ensemble. The actors playing the lead roles had big shoes to fill playing these iconic characters—they nailed it. Caden Brauch (Marty McFly) channeled the young Michael J. Fox with effervescent energy, delivering a perfect blend of coolness, awkwardness, comedy, enduringness, and teenage angst. Don Stephenson (Doc Brown) followed suit with his zany portrayal of Christopher Lloyd. Brauch and Stephenson were the lifeblood of the show, proving they are tremendous triple threats. The rest of the cast and ensemble brought 1.21 gigawatts of relentless energy, talent, and heart to this larger-than-life production, elevating it to a whole new level of entertainment.

Back to the Future: The Musical is a thrilling homage to the beloved film that successfully transports audiences back in time while delivering a fresh theatrical experience. Despite some musical shortcomings, the dazzling visuals, clever adaptations, and standout performances make it a must-see for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. The production’s ability to blend nostalgia with innovative stagecraft ensures that it will leave audiences buzzing long after the final curtain falls. With its limited engagement at in Los Angeles, this is one journey through time you won’t want to miss.    

MORE INFORMATION

LOS ANGELES LISTING INFORMATION
Dates: November 5 – December 1, 2024
Theatre: Hollywood Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Performance Schedule:

Tuesday – Thursday at 7:30pm
Friday at 8pm
Saturday at 2pm & 8pm
Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm
Schedule Exceptions: Performance at 8pm on Tue 11/5
Added 2pm Matinees on Wed 11/27, Fri 11/29
No Evening Performances on Thu 11/28 & Sun 12/1

Tickets: Online: BroadwayInHollywood.com or Ticketmaster.com
In Person: Hollywood Pantages Box Office (Visit website for hours)

COSTA MESA LISTING INFORMATION
Dates: December 26, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Theatre: Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Performance Schedule: Tuesday – Friday at 7:30pm
Saturday at 2pm & 7:30pm
Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm

Tickets: Online: www.SCFTA.org
Phone: 1-714-755-0236
In Person: Hollywood Pantages Box Office (Visit website for hours)