Special effects power ‘Back to the Future’ tuner
“Back to the Future: The Musical” — 2.5 stars
There’s good news for “Back to the Future” fans attending the musical adaptation of Robert Zemeckis’ 1985 blockbuster film during its brief stay at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre.
From the souped-up DeLorean turned time machine (a version of which was parked outside the theater on opening night), to the verbatim dialogue (including Doc Brown’s “great Scott” interjections), to Marty McFly’s ecstatic “Johnny B. Goode” guitar solo, the Olivier Award-winning “Back to the Future: The Musical” is faithful to its source.
No surprise there, considering Bob Gale adapted the book from the screenplay he co-wrote with Zemeckis. Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard’s score includes tunes from the film soundtrack, including the aforementioned Chuck Berry hit and a pair of Huey Lewis songs delivered as an encore. And the show features some first-rate visual effects, courtesy of set designer Tim Hatley, sound designer Gareth Owen, lighting designers Tim Lutkin and Hugh Vanstone, video designer Finn Ross, and illusion designer Chris Fisher, whose talents combine to make a car fly.
Impressive. But even theatrical tricks can’t elevate this musical beyond middling.
Set in 1985, the story centers on teenage Marty McFly (Caden Brauch), who accidentally travels back to 1955 in a time machine built by the affably eccentric Doc Brown (Don Stephenson).
He encounters his parents: boy-crazy Lorraine (Zan Berube) and socially awkward George (the lean, lithe Burke Swanson), who’s bullied by Biff (Ethan Rogers), the town thug who also has the hots for Lorraine. But when Marty unintentionally hinders George and Lorraine’s meeting, he upends the space-time continuum, altering the future of several characters and threatening his very existence.
Desperate to return to 1985, he seeks help from Doc, who informs him that to do so, he must make sure his parents fall in love. In the meantime, Doc devises a scheme to power the DeLorean that will propel Marty back to the future.
On opening night, a technical glitch stalled for several minutes director John Rando’s briskly paced, albeit excessively loud, production. Unfortunately, fixing this middling show requires more than replacing a faulty body mic.
The score isn’t especially memorable and the tone — which fluctuates from campy to sincere — is inconsistent. The energetic singer/actors who make up the ensemble can’t do much with paper-thin characters whose emotions are puddle-deep. Moreover, the actors often appear to be mimicking their big-screen counterparts, although I don’t expect the film’s faithful fans will mind.
That said, the production includes several noteworthy performances. Swanson brings an endearing goofiness to George and Cartreze Tucker, who plays janitor turned mayor Goldie Wilson, is a vocal powerhouse who nearly stops the show with the bouncy, boppin’ “Gotta Start Something.”
The special effects are terrific. The climactic clock tower scene, which finds Doc harnessing lightning to power his DeLorean time machine, is cleverly designed by Lutkin, Vanstone and Ross. (Marty racing the car down main street is especially effective).
But a few thrills doesn’t a first-tier tuner make. Theatergoers know it. Seats in front of me that were filled during the first act were empty after intermission. Yet those who remained were obviously entertained. Their applause evidenced as much.
Exiting the theater, a young woman summed up her experience. “That was fun,” she said.
Indeed it was: harmless, family-friendly and ultimately forgettable.
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Location: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago, (800) 775-2000, broadwayinchicago.com, backtothefuturemusical.com
Showtimes: 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 1 and 7 p.m. Wednesday; 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday through Sept. 1. Also, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18
Running time: About 2 hours, 40 minutes, with intermission
Tickets: $40-$135
Parking: Paid lots nearby
Rating: For most audiences