Dirty Dancing

The “Back to the Future” Musical: A Blast from the Past

Please allow me to tell you everything about something that has made me absolutely giddy in the past few days. The “Back to the Future” musical has taken over London’s West End and features a time machine, a specific DeLorean, and some iconic songs.

I was first apprehensive of the idea of converting the 1985 successful film starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd into a musical. It scared me that it would not live up to the standard of the source material. But let me tell you, I was completely mistaken. This musical pays loving homage to the film by capturing its spirit and charisma.

Upon entering the theater, you will be instantly transported to 1985 in Hill Valley, California. Everything from the outfits to the DeLorean to the timeless music of Huey Lewis and the News brings back fond memories. The production design is stunning, and I was genuinely thrilled by the debut of Marty McFly’s DeLorean.

Plot-wise, it is faithful to the movie, but there are a few unexpected twists and turns to keep things interesting. The journey through time that Marty McFly (the charismatic Johnny Rockett) and Doc Brown (the brilliant Simon Pendleton) take us on is nothing short of fantastic.

Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard did an excellent job of incorporating new songs with fan-favorite themes from the film. You will find yourself humming along to classics like “The Power of Love,” “Johnny B. Goode,” and “Earth Angel,” and giggling at clever new pieces like “Time Travel Tango” and “Temporal Physics.”

The dance moves are a treat for the eyes. This outstanding group performs lively pieces that recall the 1950s while adding a touch of contemporary style. Seeing people dance their hearts out on a DeLorean is a magical sight.

This musical’s core themes are the strength of love, family, and friendship. It is a tale as old as time that reminds us all, at heart still children, that we can change the future even if we cannot change the past.

You should not miss the “Back to the Future” musical if you ever find yourself in London and have an evening to kill. You will walk out of the theater humming the score, beaming from ear to ear, and even considering your own time-travel options.

Remember that we do not need roads on this trip, just a good soundtrack and an interesting story to keep us interested.