Are You Ready For BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL?

If you were to take a look at Playbill.com for a list of shows running on Broadway, you’ll find at least eleven, almost 25% of all the shows, got their start on the big screen in one form or another. Add Off-Broadway to the list, and that number will only increase. The reason? These are pre-sold commodities that have a better chance of putting butts in the seats than original works. So there is constantly a strong desire to find films that could possible work on stage and to bring them there.

The latest attempt will be Back to the Future. Deadline is reporting that the 1985 sci-fi classic is set to be adapted as a musical for London’s West End.

The script will be written by the film’s director, Robert Zemeckis, and original screenwriter Bob Gale. They will be joined as writers by Jamie Lloyd, who will also direct the stage production. Music will be provided by industry vets Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, with the songs “The Power of Love” and “Johnny B. Goode,” both prominently featured in the first film, included in the musical.

The article states that instead of trying to adapt the movie directly for the stage, they creator involved will “discover a unique theatrical language to take audiences on a journey through time in a vibrant, unexpected way” using “illusions, skateboarding and many other surprises that will capture the spirit of the film but freshly interpret it for a new audience.”  Illusions AND skateboarding. Just you you know that they are serious. 

No word as to when the musical is aiming to make its West End debut, nor any indication that a trip to Broadway is planned. But one assumes if this does get up and is successful, it would be only a matter of time before it is brought to the States.