Review: BACK TO THE FUTURE at Broadway Sacramento
In the present only until May 24th
Great Scott! Our 1985 memories have zoomed into town on the back of the much-anticipated tour of Back to the Future: The Musical. Based on the hit motion picture, the bones are the same: small-town dreamer Marty McFly is accidentally sent back in time by his eccentric scientist friend Doc Brown, where one wrong move could erase his future forever. The National Tour brings the nostalgia, packed with energy and jaw-dropping spectacle, to Broadway Sacramento for a limited time.
For fans of the film, the references are spot-on: the clock tower, the school dance, the awkward dinner table scenes, and, of course, the irresistible charm of Marty and Doc. The audience around me buzzed with excitement from start to finish. What really sends this production into another dimension are the effects. The DeLorean is the star attraction, and deservedly so. Between the lighting, projections, sound, and pure theatrical wizardry, the car genuinely seems to bend space and time on stage.
The cast throws themselves into the material with contagious energy, balancing the heart, humor, and absurdity beautifully. The show knows exactly what it is: big, loud, sentimental fun. It embraces the nostalgia factor and delivers what feels like revisiting a favorite memory. It has the feel of a jukebox musical that needs a tad more jukebox, but I loved "For the Dreamers," which was performed brilliantly by David Josefsberg, and the bully anthem "Teach Him a Lesson." There are also familiar tunes from the movie that everyone will recognize.
Lucas Hallauer is a Michael J. Fox lookalike Marty McFly, and delivers teen disgust and confidence like a pro. Doc Brown is hilariously played by David Josefsberg. He’s laugh-out-loud funny and disarmingly likable. Like the movie itself, it’s funny, sweet, a little chaotic, and entertaining. Whether you grew up with Marty McFly or you’re introducing someone new to Hill Valley, this production delivers an unforgettable ride.
Photo: David Josefsberg and Lucas Hallauer by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
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