Thoughts on Back to the Future The Musical?

[LesMiz24601]

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?

[hveasey]

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]

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.

[Jordan Catalano]

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

[CATSNYrevival]

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

[robbie_731]

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]

"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]

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

[DoTheDood]

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

[Mister Matt]

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]

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]

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

[darquegk]

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]

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

[cougarnewtin]

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.