After a successful run in London, Back to the Future the Musical has finally screeched onto Broadway this summer! My family and I had a blast seeing the show at its new North American home, and it was the perfect theatre outing for parents and kids alike. I was seven years old when the Back to the Future movie was released, so seeing this live performance of a story from my childhood with my 8 year old son was an awesome, full-circle experience!
Welcome to New York
The production is playing at New York’s Winter Garden Theatre, a century-old venue in the heart of the Theatre District. If you’re looking to introduce your kids to the classic atmosphere of Broadway, this ornate, historic theatre is a great place to start.
Winter Garden has more than 1500 seats, so there are several sections at various levels with decent views. We sat in the left orchestra, and while it would have been nice to have a center view we appreciated being close and were able to see plenty from our vantage point. Kids will like getting up close to the sound and lighting “control booth” that’s in the vestibule and is themed to whatever show is playing.
For Fans of All Ages
Back to the Future the Musical is very family-friendly and we noticed a lot of kids in the theatre. The humor is suitable for everyone, and a few little PG moments will fly over kids’ heads like the DeLorean heading back to 1985. The catchy music and dance numbers are a sure-fire hit for kids who like lively shows.
A Top-Notch Cast
Everyone from the stars to the ensemble made a great team in this high-energy production. The Broadway run sees the return of Roger Bart as Doc Brown, who played the role in the London version. Bart’s acclaimed performance is understandable, as he did a fantastic job taking over Christoper Lloyd’s persona and carrying the tunes and humor in his own right. He also hilariously stole many scenes by ad libbing, acknowledging bloopers, and breaking the fourth wall.
Casey Likes joined this show as Marty McFly and truly held his own. He channeled Michael J. Fox right down to the voice cracks, and was an excellent scene partner to Roger Bart. Likes was also ready and willing to meet fans by the stage door promptly after the show, and was quite charming. Thanks to him, my son has his very first autographed playbill!
Another cast member returning from London was Hugh Coles, who played an amazing George McFly. We were also blown away by the vocal talent of Jelani Remy, whose portrayals of Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry brought down the house!
Roads? Where we’re going…
The show was fabulous in many ways, but its epic special effects truly stood out! So many details make this show impressively high-tech, from the floor-to-ceiling lighting that created a ticking time machine image around the front half of the theatre, to the illusion of Doc climbing the clock tower. But nothing beats the grand finale where Doc and Marty actually fly above the audience in the DeLorean (yes, you read that right!) I have never seen such a reaction from a Broadway audience as I did when a car was floating above our heads!
It should be noted that some of the special effects involve a bit of noise. They’re not too intense, but if you or your child is sensitive to loud noises, just come prepared for a few “booms.”
Marty, It WORKS!
Back to the Future the Musical is a sure-fire hit, and most definitely works! I was smiling throughout this entire ‘80s-infused gem and it was the perfect choice for my family’s summer theatre adventure. Whether you’re an 80’s kid like me or a next-generation kid like my son, there is so much about this delightful show that will make you smile from ear to ear, too. The New York engagement is expected to run until June of 2024, so don’t miss your chance to see it before it flies out of town!
What Lara Wrote 