Back to the Future: The Musical Reviews
Los Angeles Times- Somewhat Recommended
"...Musicals and comedy thrive for good reason during times of great upheaval — sometimes because they are transportingly good, and better able than drama to accurately pinpoint the hurt of modern life without picking at the scabs left by the pain. But others draw crowds with the promise of a simple joy: forgetting about the real world for a few short hours. “Back to the Future: The Musical” falls into the latter category, and sometimes — especially now — that’s just fine with me."
Stage and Cinema- Not Recommended
"...I don’t particularly enjoy being so critical. No one wants their work condemned. And I want musical theatre to flourish, so if anything, I’m biased toward giving artists the benefit of the doubt. However, as much as I’m an advocate for this art form, I’m equally a guardian. I would be remiss if I weren’t judicious. I intend no disrespect toward the creators, only the utmost respect for theatre. And this was truly a substandard experience."
LA Splash- Recommended
"...Despite some of the flatness of the production, and derivative dance numbers with some movements shamefully reminiscent of Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Gower Champion, or Michael Kidd, including excessive high kicking and a few goose steps thrown in, this production is a crowd-pleasing theatrical presentation that got people into the theatre, especially those who may not be regular theatre goers, and could serve as a prelude for future theatre patrons to seek other more profound theatrical experiences."
Daily Bruin- Somewhat Recommended
"...The musical concludes with the ever-extraordinary DeLorean taking flight above the stage – presumably by the means of hydraulics, though it certainly feels real when seated in an awe-filled theater. To the average viewer, there is absolutely nothing to complain about. With a roughly $60 ticket, they are flown to another decade, hypnotized by twinkling lights and able to revisit one of the greatest comedies in cinematic history."
Discover Hollywood- Highly Recommended
"...As far as entertainment, it's hard to find a movie that's more fun than Back To The Future. Settling into my seat, the question in my mind was "How in the world can that story become a musical' Well, after seeing the opening of Back To The Future: The Musical at the Hollywood Pantages there is no question of "how'"--only being thankful that we live in these times of screen technology-that in 1985-when the movie was released is "the future.""
Indulge Magazine- Highly Recommended
"...The “Back to the Future” musical’s opening night in Los Angeles infused the Hollywood Pantages Theater with an evocative blend of Hollywood glamour and sci-fi nostalgia. The festivities began with a striking arrival of the DeLorean time machine, which elicited an enthusiastic response from fans and celebrities alike, eager to reconnect with the iconic story of Marty McFly and Doc Brown."
Broadway World- Recommended
"...But back to the question of making a classic into a classic musical' Judging by what the musical's book writer Gale, director John Rando and the musical team must have been thinking, the answer is you slavishly remake the movie on stage. Apart from adding some song (courtesy of Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard) and dance (arrangements by David Chase, choreography by Chris Bailey), you change as little as humanly possible."