By Jamie Bullins
The Lied Center for Performing Arts, Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 7:30 pm.
“If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.”
Oh, nostalgia, my sweet, sweet friend. I cannot count how many times I’ve seen the film, even the 2nd and 3rd installment. So, there was only the slimmest of chances that I wouldn’t find a way to work Back to the Future the Musical into my schedule.
I’ll ask the question here, do we need a musical version of every movie we know and love from the 1980s? Of course, the answer is no. Will Back to the Future be a new classic that high schools and college departments are performing alongside old classics like Little Shop of Horrors, or new ones, like, say, The Addams Family? Also, sorry Bob Gale and Alan Silverstri, most likely, no. Even though I’m absolutely sure that having those two individuals involved highlighted all the strong points in the story and songs. Let’s just say that the Bill Stephan-led hype is real. Having that DeLorean out front is the cherry on top. This is spectacle at its absolute best.
I was not familiar with the show before last night and that’s good and not-so-good. Because it was my first exposure to Back to the Future the Musical, I was delighted to see that it didn’t take itself too seriously. Almost campy I dare say. It’s super fun to watch a production that knows it’s not Shakespeare and acknowledges it wholeheartedly, but not too much. Back to the Future the Musical walks that line successfully. That’s really what makes it work. And it does, work. The cast is strong (even though the energy invested in mimicking Christopher Lloyd and Crispin Glover may have been a little over the top). But, let me be very clear, Cartreze Tucker, as Goldie Wilson steals the show. Snatches it up and runs away. It’s worth the trip downtown just to see Gotta Start Somewhere. Truth. And with Pretty Baby and Put Your Mind to It, the standout songs of the show. The jury is still out for me on the Act II opener, 21st Century, and the hover board doesn’t quite have the splash I was expecting. Doc Brown looks a little nervous on that thing. Keeping Huey Lewis in the mix, nice.
The show probably stands without seeing the source material, but, I would say that the experience without firsthand knowledge of the film and the characters and story would not be the same. And, I would recommend listening to the songs before you go. Unfortunately there were songs that I lost a significant chunk of the lyrics in the performance. Can’t say if it was in the balance in the mix, diction of the performers, etc. But it’s an issue to prepare for.
The artists who contribute to the production are top notch across the board. The cast, down to every member of the ensemble were on their game. Th energy is palpable. Strong voices, tight choreography, and I’m not sure the Lied has seen special effects in a show of this caliber in a while, if ever. I won’t spoil anything by saying more. Heavy.
There were people in the audience last night (some with popped collars and vintage tennis shoes) that I’m sure are not regular theatre goers, people who might not show up for Phantom, or Les Misérables. So, to ask the question again, do we need a musical version of Back to the Future? Maybe we do. If it gets a new audience into the theatre, yes, please.
Thank you, Lied Center, for having me as your guest, and keep telling your stories.
If you go: You can catch Back to the Future The Musical October 9, 10, 11 at 7:30 pm, October 12 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm, and October 13 at 1:30 and 7:00 pm. Reservations are encouraged and can be made online.
Jamie Bullins is a member of the faculty in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at UNL, since the fall of 2017. He is an educator, scenographer, director, and playwright and has been at it for almost 30 years now.
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