THEATRE REVIEW: "Back to the Future: The Musical" at the Winter Garden Theatre (New York, NY)

     On July 31st, 2024, I saw the 2pm performance of "Back to the Future: The Musical" at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City.  I won the Telecharge Ticket Lottery for "Back to the Future," so the ticket price was $45 dollars.  It was well worth the price, since it was for a seat in the orchestra section, and the view of the stage wasn't obstructed.  "Back to the Future: The Musical" features music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, and a book by Bob Gale.  The Broadway production features costume and scenic design by Tim Hatley.  









      Another Broadway show I saw which featured scenic and costume design by Tim Hatley was "Life of Pi."  I saw "Life of Pi" on April 19th, 2023.  My blog review for that show can be found by clicking HERE.  While these were two very different shows, both featured state of the art scenery, and costumes which were pretty similar to those in the feature films the shows are based on.  But perhaps there was a larger budget for "Back to the Future."  As the musical went on, the scenery became more "eye-popping."  At the same time, the production was somewhat dependent on video projection.  Yet, when combined, it was a feast for the eyes that didn't clash.  SPOILER ALERT:  At the end of "Back to the Future: The Musical," the iconic, life-sized DeLorean Time Machine levitates several feet off the stage and moves out over the first several rows of audience members.  Now, I'm sure that a new technological method was utilized for this scene, rather than the production relying on the levitating mechanism from when "Cats" played at the Winter Garden.  😉




Marquee of the Winter Garden Theatre, with signage for "Back to the Future."  I took this photo.


     


     At the performance I saw, the cast included Blakely Slaybaugh (Doc Brown), Casey Likes (Marty McFly), Evan Alexander Smith (George McFly), Becca Petersen (Lorraine Baines McFly), Jelani Remy (Goldie Wilson, Marvin Berry, and others), Nathanial Hackmann (Biff Tannen), Aaron Alcaraz (Dave McFly, Slick), Katie Laduca (Linda McFly, Stella Baines), Kimberly Immanuel (Betty), Susie Carroll (Babs), and Mikaela Secada (Jennifer Parker).  The role of Doc Brown is usually played by Roger Bart, who my dad and I saw in the National Tour of "Young Frankenstein" in November of 2009 (a link to that blog review can be found HERE).  I wasn't disappointed that Blakely Slaybaugh was performing instead.  He gave an amazing performance.  Every cast member appeared to  give it their all on such a humid day.  













     Following the 2020 World Premiere at the Manchester Opera House, and the 2021 London Premiere at the Adelphi Theatre, "Back to the Future: The Musical" began previews at the Winter Garden Theatre on June 30th, 2023, officially opening on August 3rd of that year.   On June 6th, 2024, a North American Tour was launched at the Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, New York.  While the Broadway Production of "Back to the Future" hasn't exactly been award-winning, the London Production won several, including the Laurence Olivier Award in 2022 for Best New Musical.  




Playbill and POV pic from my seat at the Winter Garden Theatre. 





     For years, the Universal Studios theme parks in Universal City, California and Orlando, Florida had a "Back to the Future" ride.  It was a simulator attraction where guests were riding in the DeLorean and would move in tandem with what was happening on the movie screen in front of them.  Before the actual ride, though, guests would watch a movie of sorts where Biff would reveal his master plan and make his escape.  When it was time for the ride, a row of metallic doors would open, and guests would pass through them to the awaiting DeLorean.  I would think about this once or twice while watching "Back to the Future: The Musical."  I was waiting for doors to open and the audience to be ushered to the the thrill-ride finale of this two and a half hour introduction.  In fact, I think of the "Back to the Future" ride any time I hear the movie theme song... which was also part of the musical's overture.











          Looking back, I am grateful for several things about this theatre excursion.  I'm grateful that the rain and storms moving through the area didn't affect me in the least.  I am also grateful for shows like "Back to the Future" because of the impressive scenic design (among other things).  Lastly, I feel immense gratitude to my mom and dad for making this particular theatre outing possible.  I don't usually end my theatre blogs with a lackluster gratitude list.  In fact, I don't think I express much gratitude in the reviews at all--unless I do it more than I realize.  Who's to know really... it's not like we can time-travel...















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