Over six years after its initial announcement, the musical adaptation of Back to the Future will at last fly to the stage. The show, featuring a book by the 1985 comedy's co-writer Bob Gale, will play the Manchester Opera House in the U.K. February 20, 2020, through May 17. A London engagement will follow at a West End venue to be announced.
Tony winner John Rando (Urinetown, On the Town) will direct the musical, which features a score by Glen Ballard (Jagged Little Pill) and original Back to the Future composer Alan Silvestri. The show also promises to include memorable musical moments from the movie, such as "The Power of Love" and "Johnny B. Goode."
Set to star as Marty McFly (originated on screen by Michael J. Fox) will be Olly Dobson, who previously appeared in the West End in Bat Out of Hell and Matilda. Additional casting, including for the role of eccentric Dr. Emmett Brown, will be announced later.
An incarnation of the project was first reported in 2012, with the film trilogy's Oscar-winning director and co-writer Robert Zemeckis tapped to develop the adaptation with his studio ImageMovers. (Zemeckis is still attached as a producer.) Two years later, Zemeckis and Gale announced that the musical would open in the West End in 2015, correlating with the movie's 30th anniversary, though it was eventually delayed indefinitely.
"Bob Zemeckis and I have been trying to get this project off the ground for years, but good things take time and finally, the time is right," said Gale. "Our cast is outstanding, the songs are fantastic, and director John Rando is doing an amazing job ensuring the show truly captures the magic of the movie. We’re thrilled that we can retell our story on stage in a brand-new way, and we’re certain that Back to the Future fans all over the world will share our enthusiasm. In the words of Marty McFly, ‘your kids are gonna love it’—and so will you and your parents."
The staging will feature choreography by Chris Bailey, sets and costumes by Tim Hatley, lighting design by Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Gareth Owen, video design by Finn Ross, illusions by Paul Kieve, orchestrations by Ethan Popp, and muscial supervision by Nick Finlow.
