Start stocking up on plutonium, because a Back to the Future musical is heading to London's West End and you're going to want to be there. The 1985 film that turned Michael J. Fox into a national treasure is being converted for the stage by none other than its original writers and director, Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis.
If that's not enough proof that the musical will be great, the music will be written by the composer of all three Back to the Future films, Alan Silvestri, with lyrics by Glen Ballard, who has his own set of impressive credits. Set for release in 2015 — the film's 30th anniversary and the setting of Back to the Future Part II, the musical will be directed by Jamie Lloyd, one of theater's rising stars who won the prestigious Olivier Award in 2008.
While Gale expressed his excitment about the project on the official Back to the Future website, Lloyd divulged a few more details about the musical.
Rather than attempt to recreate such an iconic movie on stage, we have assembled a brilliant artistic team to discover a unique theatrical language to take audiences on a journey through time in a vibrant, unexpected way. The production will include illusions, skateboarding and many other surprises that will capture the spirit of the film but freshly interpret it for a new audience.
In addition to the illusions and skateboarding, it's been revealed that Back to the Future will feature music from the film, including "The Power of Love" and "Johnny B. Goode," as well as new songs. But what exactly will those new songs be? Let's consider some options with a possible soundtrack.
"Anybody Home?" performed by Biff Tannen
"Dreaming of a Flux Capacitor," performed by Doc
"88 MPH Gets My Heart Racing For You," Performed by Marty McFly, featuring Jennifer Parker
"There Goes Calvin Klein," Performed by Lorraine Baines
"Oedipus, Reversed," performed by Lorraine Baines, featuring Marty McFly
"Earth Angel," Performed by Marvin Berry & the Starlighters
"Hey Chuck! (A Cousin's Love)," performed by Marvin Berry
"We Found Enchantment (Under the Sea)," performed by George McFly and Lorraine Baines
"When Lightning Strikes," performed by Doc
"Please Just Read My Letter," performed by Marty, featuring the Libyans
"Nobody's Home (Anybody Home? Reprise)" performed by Biff Tannen and George McFly
As great as any of these songs would be in a Back to the Future musical, even without them it'll probably be amazing. It's pretty hard to mess up something as perfect as Back to the Future, even when you take away the movie screen.
With Gale, Zemeckis and Silvestri on board, the Back to the Future stage musical is something to look forward to. Besides, screens? Where we're going we don't need screens.
Images: Universal Pictures, Complex
