The Long-Awaited BACK TO THE FUTURE Musical is Finally Happening and It Will Premiere in 2020
Great Scott! Over seven years after the musical adaptation of Back to the Future was announced, it’s finally ready to go and will premiere in 2020! After seven years of radio silence on the project I never thought it would actually happen, but here we are.
Co-writer and director of the original film Robert Zemeckis is involved with the musical as well as co-writer and producer Bob Gale and the movie’s composer, Alan Silvestri. It will be directed by Tony winner John Rando (Urinetown, On the Town) and it will feature a score by Glen Ballard (Jagged Little Pill) along with Silvestri. The show also promises to include memorable musical moments from the movie, such as "The Power of Love" and "Johnny B. Goode."
The show will star Olly Dobson (Bat Out of Hell and Matilda) as Marty McFly. Additional casting, including for the role of Dr. Emmett Brown, will be announced later. Gale had this to say in a statement:
"Bob Zemeckis and I have been trying to get this project off the ground for years, but good things take time and finally, the time is right. Our cast is outstanding, the songs are fantastic, and director John Rando is doing an amazing job ensuring the show truly captures the magic of the movie. We’re thrilled that we can retell our story on stage in a brand-new way, and we’re certain that Back to the Future fans all over the world will share our enthusiasm. In the words of Marty McFly, ‘your kids are gonna love it’—and so will you and your parents."
The show will be playing at Manchester Opera House in the U.K. February 20th, 2020, through May 17th. After that there will be a London engagement.
The staging will feature choreography by Chris Bailey, sets and costumes by Tim Hatley, lighting design by Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Gareth Owen, video design by Finn Ross, illusions by Paul Kieve, orchestrations by Ethan Popp, and muscial supervision by Nick Finlow.
Back to the Future is a favorite movie of mine and I can’t wait see how it will end up being adapted as a stage play musical, especially with the effects and stuff!