No trip to New York City would be complete without a night out on Broadway. Here, Ishq’s resident Broadway Baby, theatre kid Kavya Dhillon, gives readers the run down on the latest and greatest shows—and lets you know just how family friendly each one is. Here she takes on Broadway’s Back to the Future reboot.
Race to the Future at 88 Miles Per Hour!
The first time I watched Back to the Future, I was 7. I was hooked right from the start. Back To The Future is an absolute classic 80s movie, and it combines friendship, time travel, hilarious moments, and a bit of chaos. The movie is, obviously, from the 1980s, which was not exactly the pinnacle of modern technology (or fashion). But it’s definitely an adventure through space and time.
So when I found out that they were making a Broadway musical version of it, I was really excited. Especially when I learned there would be a DeLorean that flies right through the theater.
The movie’s special effects were obviously amazing for the time, but the musical really takes the tech to a whole new level. There are awesome sound effects, cool lighting, and a live orchestra directly under the stage. (You can even say hi to the musicians, who will give you stickers if you’re friendly!)
Comedy Gold
In the movie, Michael J. Fox plays Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd is Doc Brown. Those are some big shoes to fill. But in the Broadway version, the characters were cast perfectly, and it really felt like the film. Casey Likes is convincing as an eternally confused Marty. Roger Bart is hilarious as Doc, and has a touching ballad about dreamers. But the character that felt most similar from screen to stage is George McFly, the scaredy cat father of Marty, played by Hugh Coles. The actor playing him had the character’s voice and personality down, and earned guffaws from the audience every time he cracked up. I also especially loved Jelani Remy as busboy turned Mayor Goldie Wilson, the bedazzled apron wearing fella who knows exactly what he wants, and actually succeeds in getting it.
The first time we saw the musical, in December, Mama surprised us with tickets as a Christmas treat. We loved it so much, we went again with our grandparents when they were visiting New York.
The Broadway Breakdown
Things To Know About the Show: Back to the Future is playing at the Winter Garden Theater, at 1634 Broadway, between 50th and 51st Street. It’s a longer show, clocking in at 2 hours and 40 minutes, with a 20-minute intermission. The musical is fun for all ages, from little kids to grandparents, and makes the perfect family adventure. One of the coolest parts of the musical is the DeLorean, which rises above the audience’s heads, which flips and spins with Doc and Marty in the car. It’s reminiscent of the late and great musical The Phantom of the Opera’s beautiful crashing chandelier. Definitely a sight to behold.
Sparkles and Showtunes: One of the best parts of Back to the Future, and any musical, is the music. My favorite song from the show was “Gotta Start Somewhere,” which can only be described as downright dazzling. Goldie Wilson, a waiter in 1955 singing about how you’ve gotta start somewhere to achieve your dreams. It’s a charming song, with bright lights and lots of sparkles. Which, in my opinion, is about the best you can get. The show also features some of the music from the first film, including “Johnny Be Good” and “Earth Angel.” Marty and the Pinheads were definitely a fan favorite. But Doc also steals the show with his alien space dancers and future people on “21st Century.” A very accurate depiction of our modern times.
Ages and Stages: There is one particular moment where Marty finds himself in his mother’s bed in his underpants and they have a big discussion regarding Calvin Klein (which comes directly from the movie). While there is some romance and innuendo, the show is laugh out funny and relatively kid-friendly, especially with the humor and the magic of the DeLorean. With the 80s nostalgia from the movie and the old school pop rock soundtrack, it’s a perfect first Broadway show for all ages.
Tickets! I Love Tickets!! Like many Broadway shows, this one isn’t cheap. Back to the Future tickets run anywhere from $50 to $300, but orchestra seats are definitely a worthwhile extravagance, given your proximity to the DeLorean! (Kavya note: I got eyebrow wagged by Casey Likes because I caught his eye from the third row!) But never fear, some discount ticket options exist. There are frequent 2-for-1 promo deals, and there are lottery rush tickets available at $45 a pop. You can also hit the theater directly the morning of the show to see if in-person rush tickets are available, at $40 each. And the show is also part of the twice yearly Kids Night on Broadway promotion.
The Verdict: Definitely a must-watch. 10 out of 10, would recommend. Be sure to watch the movies first though.
Leave a Reply