The 1985 time-travel comedy Back to the Future is one of the most beloved films of all time, and now fans can experience it in a whole new way — as a Broadway musical!
Yes, Back to the Future: The Musical has arrived in New York after a hit run in London. And the cast of the show got a “blast from the past” as cast and crew from the original film reunited at a gala last night.
Stars Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd — who originated the iconic roles of Marty McFly and Doc Brown in the three films — were both in attendance, along with Lea Thompson, who played Marty’s mom Lorraine.
The stars posed for photos in front of a DeLorean (Back to the Future‘s classic time machine) with their on-stage counterparts: Tony winner Roger Bart plays Doc Brown in the musical, and Marty is played by Casey Likes.
According to People, other cast members from the original film were also there, including James Tolkan (who played school principal Mr. Strickland), Don Fulilove (Mayor Goldie Wilson), Harry Waters Jr. (Marvin Berry, who has a memorable phone call with cousin Chuck) and Marc McClure (who played Marty’s older brother Dave.)
Some of the major behind-the-scenes figures behind the hit film were also at the gala, including the film’s producer Steven Spielberg, director and co-writer Robert Zemeckis, co-writer Bob Gale (who also wrote the book for the musical), and musician Huey Lewis, who wrote two songs for Back to the Future that are also used in the Broadway show.
After the gala performance, Bob Gale reportedly shouted out the famous names in attendance, with Lloyd and Fox receiving standing ovations from the audience.
Following the show, a party was held at the Ziegfeld Theatre, which included an auction to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation, a leading nonprofit in Parkinson’s research. According to People, the auction included signed memorabilia and a ride in the DeLorean time machine.
Back to the Future: The Musical is currently in previews and officially opens on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on August 3. The show has had a successful run in London’s West End, and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
The musical features a book by original co-screenwriter Bob Gale and music by original composer Alan Silvestri, with lyrics by Grammy winner Glen Ballard.
In addition to the new score, the musical features memorable songs from the original film including “Earth Angel,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “The Power of Love” and “Back in Time.”
For star Casey Likes, the show feels like a fulfilment of destiny: “My mom was a huge fan of Michael J. Fox and always said that I reminded her of him,” Likes told Good Morning America. “Marty McFly is what we all wanted to be growing up — it’s what I still want to be.”
Despite the resemblance, the cast is careful to not just imitate the classic film: “I’m not doing an impression, but I’m doing enough of a reminder of how special Michael is while also mixing in a little bit of myself and trying to be as cool as I possibly can,” Likes says.
“There’s a sense of responsibility both Casey and I have,” co-star Roger Bart told Vanity Fair. “We’re not reinventing the wheel, and so many of the things that are in this movie story-wise were built probably from Bob Gale and some of the improvisation of Chris and Michael. And so we try to do some of that vibe, but then also try to do our own versions of that.”
Last year, Michael J. Fox complimented the show saying it was “pretty good quality” and liked that it wasn’t a carbon copy of the film. “I was really taken (by the fact) that they’re not trying to do us,” he told People. “They’re trying to do a new thing… It’s an independent piece based on the same set of ideas and characters.”
With performances underway and opening night just days away, the cast is very excited about what is sure to be one of the season’s biggest hit musicals.
“I’m really blown away,” Likes told Vanity Fair. “Every single night is a party, and it’s always cheering, it’s always just pandemonium in the crowd. It feels really, really great to be a part of something so, so, so much bigger than myself.”
Back to the Future is such a great movie and we’re always glad to see the iconic cast reunite! Congrats to the cast and crew of this new Broadway musical!
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READ MORE:
- Michael J. Fox shares candid opinion about a potential ‘Back to the Future’ reboot: ‘Do what you want’
- Michael J. Fox opens up about Parkinson’s and declining health: “It’s getting tougher”
- Michael J. Fox reveals Back to the Future taught him to ‘appreciate life more’
- Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd reunite, share emotional embrace at New York Comic Con
- Michael J. Fox says he regrets turning down lead role in this huge movie: “It’ll never work”
