Marty McFly is a rock 'n' roll teenager who is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown. But before he can return to 1985, Marty must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love in order to save his own existence.
John Rando’s production has a few moments that titillate rather than obliterate the senses – the levitating car, as well as choreographer Chris Bailey’s tight dance sequences – but there’s an overreliance on projections and video that makes Back to the Future feel less like a stage show and more like a ride at a rickety carnival, flashy and bright but without much substance beneath the surface.
OK, so the music is a disaster and the effects, while flashy, didn’t always work. What of the performers? Brauch is fine. In fact, he’s better than fine with a great voice and moves and tons of stage presence. He commands the stage and leads the show well. But so many of the others, especially Stephenson and Swanson, are doing such campy, broad, overdone impressions of the characters in the movie, that the jokes were no longer funny, just embarrassing. And how much do we need to pander to the audience? Let’s make them cheer by having an opening projection showing the current date and the town we’re in (in case you forgot) or by having local references (Marty: “What are you looking at George?” George: “Hawks. See? Hawks.” Get it? Seahawks?). Again, super thirsty.
| 2021 | West End |
West End Premiere West End |
| 2021 | West End |
West End |
| 2023 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 2024 | US Tour |
North American Tour US Tour |
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