Theater News

Gas Up Your DeLoreans: Back to the Future Musical Prepares for West End Run

The hit 1985 film plans to hit the West End in time to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

London
Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox from the 1985 hit film Back to the Future. Cowriters Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale will pen the book for the upcoming West End musical.
Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox starred in the 1985 hit film Back to the Future. Cowriters Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale will pen the book for the upcoming West End musical.

Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, who wrote the cult classic film Back to the Future, have begun working with Universal Stage Productions, London-based producer Colin Ingram, and Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment to adapt the film for a stage musical. Also produced with Donocan Mannato and CJ E&M, the production is scheduled to open in London's West End in 2015, Back to the Future's 30th-anniversary year.

Zemeckis and Gale will partner up again to coauthor the book, with the addition of new music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard. Music from the original film by Huey Lewis & the News, Chuck Berry, Pat Ballard, and Curtis Williams, including "The Power of Love" and "Johnny B. Goode" will also be included in the new stage version, directed by Jamie Lloyd.

The film Back to the Future was released in 1985 and starred Michael J. Fox as teenager Marty McFly who accidentally travels back in time to 1955 via a time-warping DeLorean built by quirky scientist Dr. Emmett Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd. As he tries to make his way back to the present, he is left with the task of playing matchmaker for his adolescent parents in order to save his own existence.

"The Back to the Future Musical is a project that Bob Zemeckis and I have been exploring for almost ten years," said Gale. "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 said, "I was five when I saw Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale's landmark movie, Back to the Future, and I have been a huge fan ever since. I am thrilled to be directing and co-writing this exciting new musical based on their masterful film, which has become embedded in our popular culture."

The musical's creative team will include set and costume design by Soutra Gilmour, illusions by Paul Kieve, lighting design by Jon Clark, and musical supervision by Alan Williams. Andrew Willis will be skateboard consultant.