Producer Colin Ingram (Ghost – The Musical) and the creators of the film Back to the Future, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, are delighted to announce that Back to the Future The Musical will open at the Manchester Opera House on 20th February 2020 for a limited 12-week season before transferring to the West End. (Links with * are affiliates.)
Based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, the new musical will have a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winning Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.
Back to the Future The Musical will be directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando, alongside the multi Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team of Tim Hatley (set and costume design), Hugh Vanstone (lighting), Gareth Owen (sound) and Finn Ross (video), with choreography by Chris Bailey, illusions by Paul Kieve and musical supervision and vocal arrangements by Nick Finlow. Orchestrations will be by Ethan Popp, with dance arrangements by David Chase.
The role of Marty McFly will be played by Olly Dobson, who previously starred in the original cast of Bat Out Of Hell The Musical and Matilda.
Marty McFly is a rock ‘n’ roll teenager who is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-travelling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr Emmett Brown. But before he can return to 1985, Marty must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love in order to save his own existence.
All members of the original cast of the film are excited about this new musical version. Christopher Lloyd, who played Doc Brown, said:
“Ever since Bob Gale told me about this, I’ve been eagerly anticipating it and, in particular, wondering what it will be like to hear Doc Brown sing. So I’m really looking forward to attending the opening in Manchester to experience our wonderful movie as a musical. I’m only sorry I don’t have a real time machine so that I could see it tomorrow!”
Bob Gale, who wrote the film with Robert Zemeckis and who is writing the book for the musical said:
“Bob Zemeckis and I have been trying to get this project off the ground for years, but good things take time and finally, the time is right. Our cast is outstanding, the songs are fantastic, and director John Rando is doing an amazing job ensuring the show truly captures the magic of the movie. We’re thrilled that we can retell our story on stage in a brand-new way, and we’re certain that Back to the Future fans all over the world will share our enthusiasm. In the words of Marty McFly, ‘your kids are gonna love it’ and so will you and your parents. There’s truly no better way to celebrate the movie’s 35th Anniversary, and we’re happy to say ‘The Future’ is coming back!”
Producer Colin Ingram said:
“This show has been six years in the making and we are delighted to be showing it to the people of Manchester first before the rest of the world gets to see it. As I did with Ghost – The Musical, Manchester gets it first, so synchronise your watches because, when this musical hits 88 mph, you’re going to see some serious…entertainment!”
Tickets are available from 10:00am on Friday 24th May 2019
