Mind blown! That perfectly sums up my experience at Back to the Future: The Musical, which played at Robinson Center in Little Rock from March 13-16. If you missed it, you’re still in luck—this high-energy, nostalgia-packed production is headed to Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville from April 8-13. Grab your tickets now, because you don’t want to miss this electrifying show—especially if you’re a Gen Xer like me!
Of course, you don’t need to be a lifelong fan of the Back to the Future trilogy to enjoy this performance. The entire production is a spectacle, seamlessly blending dazzling special effects, vibrant performances, and an infectious 1980s soundtrack. From the moment the DeLorean took the stage, I was completely transported.
The Back to the Future Trilogy is by far my favorite movies from the 80s. I LOVED Michael J Fox – still do actually. His charisma, comedic timing, and effortless cool made Marty McFly an icon and will forever be in my heart. So, did this musical live up to the movie?
With Book by Bob Gale, Music and Lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, and Directed by John Rando, the premise is the same in both the musical and the movie, which was written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale. Doc Brown invents a time machine, and Marty McFly accidentally ends up in 1955, right before his parents are supposed to meet and fall in love. Marty’s presence disrupts their “meet-cute,” creating a time paradox that threatens his very existence. With the clock ticking, he must find a way to fix the situation before the clock tower lightning strike during the school dance, ensuring his parents’ love story plays out as it was meant. The stakes are high, and the tension builds with every scene, making the audience wonder if Marty will make it back to the future—or even exist at all! Great Scott! This is heavy!
Like all movies turned into musicals (and sometimes the other way around), there were some differences and a lot of musical numbers that weren’t in the original film. Some moments took a fresh spin on the familiar story, giving us new insights into the characters we know and love. The musical numbers really added an exciting layer, with catchy tunes and energetic choreography that made the whole experience feel even more alive. I loved the whole show, but I will say, I think I liked Act II songs better than those in Act I. Act II opened with 21st Century, where Doc Brown led the ensemble in a powerful number that immediately set the tone for the second half. The whole scene was an electric introduction to a deeper dive into Doc’s character, which gave us a new way to appreciate his genius and eccentricity. Put Your Mind to It was a fun Marty and George bonding moment, full of optimism and determination. Then, there was the super fun Teach Him a Lesson with Biff leading the charge. It was a hilarious, over-the-top number that played perfectly to Biff’s character, bringing plenty of laughs and adding a bit of cheeky villainy to the mix. …