Earlier this month, news got out that cinematic icon King Kong would be heading to Broadway to star in his very own musical. Now, it looks like another icon of the silver screen has set course for the stage as Doc Brown’s Delorean is on it’s way to the West End.
In a statement on BTTF.com, ‘Back to the Future’ co-writer Bob Gale made a statement that he and director Robert Zemeckis will be working with original composer Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard to adapt their classic 1985 film about time travel starring Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox. Jamie Lloyd will direct as well as co-write the book for ‘Back to the Future – The Musical’, which will premiere in London’s theater district in 2015, just in time for the film’s 30th anniversary. Aside from the new music being created for the show, hit songs from the movie like ‘Johnny B. Goode’ and ‘The Power of Love’ will be featured.
Previously in early 2012, the idea of a musical adaptation of the film had been discussed, but that wasn’t the first time the idea was tossed around. Gale made the following comments about the project that had first been hinted at nearly 10 years ago:
“The ‘Back to the Future’ Musical is a project that Bob Zemeckis and I have been exploring for almost ten years. We’re thrilled to be at last in partnership with a creative and producing team that will create a show that is true to the spirit of the film without being a slavish remake. Director Jamie Lloyd is full of passion, energy and imaginative ideas and we are overjoyed to have the film’s composer Alan Silvestri composing the music, with lyrics by Glen Ballard who has also collaborated with Zemeckis before on many projects. With all of us working together, we know the integrity of the material will be preserved in a production that will be a wonderful companion to the Trilogy. We intend to use music from the movie along with brand new songs to make a version of Back to the Future that is fresh, entertaining, and takes advantage of all the amazing things that can now be done on stage. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film.”
Lloyd followed by sharing the team’s approach to bringing the world of Marty McFly to life on stage:
“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. Steven Spielberg once described the film as a musical and whilst we are incorporating some of the original, exhilarating score and songs, Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard’s witty, infectious and heartfelt new songs are the perfect springboard to tell this uplifting story anew.”
What do you think of ‘Back to the Future’ being adapted into a musical? Do you hope that it makes the jump across the pond to Broadway after it’s initial West End run? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments below.
