'Back to the Future' musical to premiere in London in 2015
It’s going against every instinct of mine not to begin this post with “Great Scott!”
Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale announced the development of a stage musical version of their 1985 classic Back to the Future, which will eye an opening bow on London’s West End in 2015—coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the film.
30 years is also how far back in time Marty McFly travels in a souped-up DeLorean in the original film (the first in the franchise which has since banked over $1.8 billion, adjusted for inflation).
Most of the players from the original film are involved—screenwriters Zemeckis (who directed all three films) and Gale will pen the book with Jamie Lloyd, who will direct the production. Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment will produce with Universal Stage Productions (Wicked, Billy Elliot).
The show will include new music and lyrics by film composer Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, and additional music by Huey Lewis & The News, Chuck Berry, Pat Ballard and Curtis Williams (so you can rest easy, “The Power of Love” and “Johnny B. Goode” fans). And perhaps the greatest news of all: the show will include ‘skateboard consultant’ Andrew Willis.
Zemeckis had previously told EW in February 2012 that he, Gale, and Silvestri were in preliminary creative discussions to develop the project.
