Diane and I traveled to Sheas Performing Arts Center in Buffalo to see Back to the Future: The Musical. As you recall, the 1985 film Back to the Future–directed by Robert Zemeckis–was a hit movie starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, and Thomas F. Wilson. Michael J. Fox plays teenager Marty McFly who accidentally finds himself sent back in Time to 1955.
The humor of the movie–with Marty interacting with his parents when they were teenagers–still resonates in the musical version. Of course, the real star of the musical is the cool DeLorean car/Time Machine.
My main complaint about Back to the Future: The Musical is…the music is bland and banal. The show includes songs featured in the film: “The Power of Love“, “Earth Angel“, “Johnny B. Goode” and “Back in Time“. The rest of the music is forgettable. Are you a fan of Back to the Future? GRADE: B- (but the DeLorean gets an “A”!)
I didn’t love the film, but it made at least a few of its points (there’s something about everything Spielberg touches that tends to put me off). So, I wouldn’t be part of the natural audience for this.
Todd, the audience at Sheas was young and enthusiastic. Lots of applause!
The dearth of innovation and creativity in American entertainment continues. Next, a movie based on the musical based on the original movie.
Fred, you’re right about the lack of originality in our movies and TV. A lot of recycling is going on.
This would not seem material for a musical. I think we’ve forgotten what makes a good musical–good music.
Patti, you’re right. Making a musical based on a comedy-action film is an unlikely event, but the audience ate it up. The original music could be better. I think you’ll enjoy the spectacle when BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL comes to your town.
With all respect I thought the movie was embarrassingly shoddy and just awful at the time. The idea of turning it into a musical seems especially questionable and as you note, sans good tunes rather pointless.
No love for the DeLorean either since John DeLorean ripped off the design and overal concept from the much cooler and more innovative Canadian Bricklin after failing to get his paws on the company.
Byron, I have fond memories of the Bricklin! Yes, John DeLorean was a grifter with Trump-like tendencies. BACK TO THE FUTURE was the highest-grossing film of 1985. It spawned two sequels. The trilogy remains immensely popular and has yielded such spin-offs as an animated television series, a motion-simulation ride at the Universal Destinations & Experiences in Universal City, California; Orlando, Florida; and Osaka, Japan (all later closed), a series of video games, and, of course, a stage musical.
The movie had its points, though I won’t say I loved it. But I did dislike the “clever” gimmick of the white guy from the ’80s “giving” Chuck Berry the riffs for “Johnny B. Goode.” Can’t believe it is 40 years old. That makes me feel even older, though Christopher Lloyd is still around.
No interest in any of these “movies into musicals ” like this or BEETLEJUICE, but I must admit we did enjoy SCHOOL OF ROCK. But I think that’s because the kids in it were really good musicians, and the Jack Black surrogate did a nice job.
Jeff, I’m with you on SCHOOL OF ROCK. I expected a sequel…but it didn’t happen.