Back to the Future (1985) is perhaps one of the most beloved films of all time. For this fact alone, expectations for “Back to the Future: The Musical” at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre may be very high before the show begins.
The iconic opening scene of the movie is faithfully recreated on stage. Doc Brown's chaotic garage lab (designed by Tim Hatley) looks remarkably like in the movie—cluttered with clocks, radios, various mechanical parts, and black-and-white photos of great minds on the wall. Marty McFly enters to find the place empty and turns off a radio news report about a local theft of plutonium.
Fans of the film can tell you what happens next since the show is a nearly scene-by-scene reenactment, save for a few tweaks here and there. There is no Einstein the dog or Libyan Nationalists, though, and some of the stunts in the film are replaced by songs. So many songs. 26 in all.
Almost every number is energetic and fun (music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard), accompanied by impressive choreography (by Chris Bailey) and a lively orchestra (directed by Matt Doebler). Somehow, though, they manage to be spectacular yet forgettable. Most of the best musical moments already exist in the film, like Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” or Huey and the News’s “The Power of Love.”
The rest are undoubtedly entertaining but may leave you wondering if a song adds anything to an already great scene. The show’s book, written by Bob Gale, is so faithful to his and Robert Zemeckis’s original screenplay that the music often feels out of place, tacked on for the sake of filling time in a show that is well over two hours long.
Whatever you think of the music, the performances are excellent, directed by John Rando. Caden Brauch brings his own flavor to Marty McFly with a spring-loaded physicality that channels Michael J. Fox without falling into impersonation. Similarly, Don Stephenson as Doc clearly feels authentically like the character we all know without mocking Christopher Lloyd.
While both are excellent leads, the supporting cast does some very heavy lifting. Burke Swanson is hilarious as George McFly, Marty’s father. His slapstick demeanor plays wonderfully on stage, especially in scenes with the notorious Biff (Ethan Rodgers). And Zan Berube as Lorraine Baines does the film justice and feels as if she were lifted straight from the screen.
After all is said and sung, the biggest star of the show is the time machine itself. With a thunderous boom and flash of light (illusions designed by Chris Fisher), Doc’s famous DeLorean suddenly appears as if it jumped through time to the very moment it is due on stage.
Although the DeLorean differs slightly from the film—with the addition of color-changing lights and a voice-activated computer—it is no less recognizable as Doc’s famous automobile. It is the focus of most of the impressive stunts and goes above and beyond what you might think is possible on stage.
A combination of lights (designed by Tim Lutkin and Hugh Vanstone), video projection (designed by Finn Ross), sound (designed by Gareth Owen), a full-scale DeLorean and some theatrical magic lets the audience experience time travel in a way that can only be achieved at the theater. It may not be a stretch to say that this show has the wildest stage-effects that you have ever seen in your life.
Opening night was on November 6th, 2024, the day after a pivotal U.S. presidential election. Many in the audience may have wished for a time machine on this day. While “Back to The Future: The Musical” can’t actually turn back the clock, it may be a welcome respite from harsh reality—an excuse to sit back, relax, and enjoy 1.21 gigawatts of singing, dancing, and stagecraft.
“Back to the Future: The Musical” continues at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, through Dec. 1, with shows Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $56.75, with discount packages available. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at (866) 755-2929 or visiting BroadwayinHollywood.com. Run time is 2 hours and 40 minutes, including intermission.
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