Clevelanders drove as quickly as possible to Playhouse Square to see Back to the Future: The Musical. Some might have even hit 88 MPH on the speedometer, but without a Flux Capacitor and 1.21 gigawatts (jigawatts?) of electricity, they had to make it on time the old-fashioned way. Once they arrived, they were greeted by fellow BTTF fans, who came dressed up properly for the evening. Donned in their best Marty McFly red vest, Doc Brown lab coat, or favorite BTTF t-shirt, everyone was ready for an exciting night! While joining the crowd on media night, Team CleveRock received an extra treat upon arrival, finding a replica Delorean time machine parked out front of the venue for people to snap photos with. Needless to say, everyone on Euclid Ave was excited for the show!
The original 1985 film, Back to the Future, is an American classic. It is among the movies that if one finds oneself flipping through the channels and stumbles upon it, one will cancel the rest of one’s day to watch it. This undeniable bar set by the film sets the expectations of Back to the Future: The Musical higher than a flying Delorean. (But let’s not get ahead of ourselves!) Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale wrote the film, but what is also worth noting is that this duo also wrote the story for this stage production as well, marking the official approval from the Time Gods themselves. Newcomers and old fans are treated to an electrifying theatrical experience that blends nostalgia with fresh, dynamic performances.
Back to the Future: The Musical starts very true to the original story. Marty McFly (Caden Brauch) steps into the lab of Doc Emmit Brown (Don Stephenson) while on his way to school. Marty plugs his electric guitar into a speaker the size of a washing machine. Due to a “slight possibility of overload,” exactly what is expected to happen happens! Marty falls backward as boxes fly across the stage.
Marty is an average student with problematic parents. Whether it’s his father always being pushed around by his high school bully, Biff (Ethan Rogers), who is now his current supervisor, or his alcoholic mom, Lorraine (Zan Berube), it just seems like everyone in his family is not doing so well. As portrayed in the film, Doc asks Marty to meet him at Twin Pines Mall so that he can have Marty help document his latest invention. This creates the audience’s most anticipated moment. The likes of which inspired many to come to see the musical,
“How are they gonna portray the iconic Delorean on stage?”
Out of the blackness, as though it had to have been there on the stage the whole time, a near-flawless replica bursts onto the stage, and Doc comes running out yelling in his best, “Great Scott” at a volume that could be heard halfway across town.
One of the first deviations from the film is that Doc is exposed to radiation from the plutonium necessary to operate the time machine. This subtle change reminds the audience that some tweaking was necessary for the staged production. This, however, does not take away from the heart of the story.
Marty, traumatized by watching Doc’s injury exacerbated by radiation, decides to get help. While riding inside the Deloreon, everyone inside the KeyBank State Theater is about to be taken for a ride, too! At this moment, the magic of Back to the Future: The Musical really elevates to the next level. In one of the most impressive stage and special effects combinations, Marty and the Deloreon transform theatergoers on his ride. Through a combination of perfectly timed stage movements, lighting queues, and screen playback timing, the time machine is speeding and turning across the stage. The design team literally pulled out all the stops in what will be something no audience member will forget!
Marty is transported to 1955, and the story takes shape. Marty now finds himself in a troubling situation. He accidentally gets in the way of his parents’ meeting and falls in love. This disruption in the space-time continuum is what Back to the Future is all about. Getting back to 1985 seems far less important if Marty is to be erased from existence! Marty, George, and Lorraine are the trio that creates an awkward and hilarious situation for Marty to overcome.
Michael J. Fox created some large white Nike shoes to fill. Caden Brauch was remarkable in adding his spin to the role. Whether it was singing, dancing, or comedic timing, Brauch was Marty through and through. His chemistry with his on-stage father, George, portrayed by Burke Swanson, is like a buddy comedy. Burke plays George masterfully as the bumbling, confidence-lacking sci-fi nerd, much like the film.
Marty’s character desperately tries to get his father together with his mother to save the space-time continuum, allowing for the character of Lorraine Baines (Zan Berube) to really shine. The character on stage has as many, if not more, comedic lines as in the film. Berube delivered wonderfully, which was not a shock as she is no stranger to being center stage. (Cleverock had the opportunity to speak with Berude the last time she was in Cleveland when she played Anne Boleyn in SIX The Musical. Feel free to check that out HERE!)
Local celebrity and Baldwin Wallace graduate Ethan Rogers portrayed the stereotypical bully Biff Tannen in both the 1955 and 1985 timelines. Rogers was hilarious in his ability to play the bully buffoon and yet balance the antagonist simultaneously. (CleveRock’s pre-show interview with Rogers!)
Not enough praise can be sung about Don Stephenson and his brilliant portrayal of Doc Brown. To take on the iconic and always funny Christopher Lloyd was no easy task. Fans need to love him, doubt him, and root him on, all at the same time. Stephenson has an emotional moment as Doc when he performs “For the Dreamers.” This song really makes everyone think about how difficult it could be to pursue new discoveries or be only known for their failures until they actually succeed.
With music and lyrics by famed score composer Alan Silvestri and popular music producer Glen Ballard (Dave Matthews Band, Michael Jackson, Alanis Morissette), the original songs don’t shine as bright as they do in some musicals but definitely got the job done for this production. Choreographed by Chris Bailey and dance arrangements by David Chase, there is no shortage of big ensemble numbers for their works to stand out. Notable favorites were “21st Century” and “Gotta Start Somewhere.” In Back to the Future fashion, reimagined versions of classics like “The Power of Love” and “Johnny B. Goode.” were integrated into the show, too. During the iconic Enchantment Under the Sea Dance, the 1950s-style dresses were mesmerizing to watch as dancers twirled and were tossed effortlessly into the air!
While the music, lyrics, dancing, and acting all make this show great, the technology it incorporates is what makes this musical memorable.
Directed by John Rando, Back to the Future: The Musical really pushes the level of what can be achieved on the small stage. Lighting, sound, and vision all come together to create what has to be one of the most complicated on-stage achievements of a touring musical. The time-traveling Delorean is a showstopper, brought to life with incredible attention to detail and state-of-the-art effects. The transitions between the 1980s and 1950s are seamless, thanks to clever staging and lighting design that transport the audience through time alongside the characters.
Back to the Future: The Musical is a triumph by taking a classic movie that will bring joy to all fans who see it—offering a thrilling and heartwarming experience that pays homage to the original film while standing on its own as a superb piece of musical theatre. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the movie trilogy or a newcomer to the story, this production is a must-see. The blend of memorable performances, catchy musical numbers, and cutting-edge effects make it a standout show in ANY TIME PERIOD. PERIOD!
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