PicksInSix Review: Back to the Future-The Musical-Broadway in Chicago
“It works. It Works. IT WORKS!”
PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy
It’s hard to avoid the what-if’s of time travel when it comes to the 1985 Robert Zemeckis film “Back to the Future” and its two sequels that have been entertaining audiences over the last 40 years. Jettisoning back along the space-time continuum to intentionally—or unintentionally—reorder events, change the future or restore balance to the universe has always been the stuff of classic science fiction storytelling.
The original “Back to the Future” was a real crowd-pleaser and a revelation for those of us around at the time. Sure, we had home movies, photo albums and family histories, but we could only imagine the past through the memories of those closest to us. Years from now, those memorable moments will be documented on a digital device in all formats, but obviously none of that existed when we were first introduced to a youthful rock n’ roller and his eccentric pal, the physicist who discovers a way to go back in time 1985 style. Taking the story from film to a live stage version creates some challenges and provides a splendid opportunity for eye-popping special effects.
At the opening of the national touring production of the John Rando directed “Back to the Future—The Musical” on Wednesday at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, I realized there was now a new generation introducing live theater to a much younger version as evidenced by a family of five sitting directly in front of me. It was apparent to me that somewhere along the line I had taken for granted Doc Brown’s childlike wonder or the campy awkwardness of George McFly as he heroically confronts Biff in a parking lot, but not this crew.
For at least one of the three boys ranging in age from eight to mid-teen, this show was a first and they had a blast! Their joyous, wild enthusiasm for the extraordinary special effects and the techno star of the show—a slick, shiny DeLorean DMC-12 that makes a series of dramatic entrances and exits—was infectious. As avid young fans, their enjoyment was enhanced by the story as well because of its close proximity to the film and as a result, they followed along intently. And while we all know pretty much what was coming next, the Bob Gale book wisely stays within the margins and allows the stage version of “Back to the Future-The Musical” to evolve into a night of fun-filled family entertainment with more than enough whimsy and heart to wow the crowd.
Or to borrow one of the Alan Silvestri/Glen Ballard lyrics sung by Doc Brown (a terrific role for Don Stephenson) when he first discovers proof of the viability of the flux capacitor: “It works. It Works! IT WORKS!” From Caden Brauch’s energetic portrayal of Marty McFly coaching the younger version of his dad George (a hilarious Burke Swanson) in “Put Your Mind To It” and the sultry Zan Berube’s rendition of “Pretty Baby” as the youthful Lorriane Baines in her bedroom with a trio of singers to Cartreze Tucker knocking the stuffing out of “Gotta Start Somewhere” as the young Goldie Wilson with the multi-talented ensemble and Stephenson’s blissful ballad “For the Dreamers,” this show has something for the young-at-heart of all ages. But, oh that car is the real star!
When the original 2020 production was shut down in its first week due to the pandemic, you can bet that producers had no idea that four years later productions of “Back to the Future—The Musical” would be running concurrently in London, on Broadway and now in a 28 city national tour through August 2025. Safe to say that Marty, Doc and all the rest will be back in time well into the foreseeable future.
PHOTO|Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman
BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
presents
National Tour
BACK TO THE FUTURE—THE MUSICAL
Cadillac Palace Theatre
through September 1, 2024
TICKETS
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BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
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