Back To The Future The Musical (Cast Album)

 

(Image Source: Amazon.Com)

Movies having staged musicals are nothing new. They have been a staple of musical theaters with hits like "The Lion King" and other Disney stage adaptations to hits like "Waitress" or "Heathers".  And the newest one making a splash for some better, and for some worse is "Back To The Future". I enjoy the first film and really enjoyed the second, so seeing this as a musical adaptation had me interested, hoping this to be another "Legally Blonde" or "Newsies" and not another "Mean Girls" or "School Of Rock". The latter being movies I adored that, even with shining moments did not translate to stage as well. I can't head out and see the show at the moment, but the cast album is live, so why not look at that and see if I want to see it live.

Judging by the songs and music choices, it seems this show follows the plot of the first movie. This is fine the first movie is very self-contained, considering the sets effects, and costumes needed for the second and third installments this one works best. The first one does set up for a sequel but also in a way that leaves it off on a good note to still end, implying there are more adventures ahead, just like the ending from the movie. So from a perspective, this works and can be adapted to the stage. It seems you do not need to see the film to enjoy the show, much like a good adaptation, where you can go watch the film afterward, enjoy it on its own, or if you are a fan, spot the parts you love and see the differences, because there are some. 

For fans of the movie, famous lines, music motifs from the theme song, the main theme, and not one but both Huey Lewis's songs " The Power Of Love" and "Back In Time"  and even "Johnny B. Goode" work their way into the show. And it is not just one moment, the two Huey Lewis songs and the theme are used multiple times. Seeing that is nice but fan service is not enough to carry something. So let's see how the music itself fares. There is a good number of group numbers and solo numbers, so each actor, and there are many to stand out.  Many of the songs are high energy, and many try to infuse iconic lines or comedy to keep the flow going, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

The songs in this cast album are all I have to go off of, but from the lyrics, it is a pretty faithful adaptation, working the plot with all the highs, and slightly dated lows. For those who know, they know, and for those who don't this show has a very weird time travel misconception attempted romance that is still creepy. It is not a major focus and it is to follow the movie for fans and to show newcomers but I wish it was tweaked and there was more to certain characters. This musical would not pass the bechetal test, this is almost "How To Succeed In Business'" levels of just having women in the cast play love interests and be prizes, one of the couple of qualms I have with the show. You can tell this through their songs and ballads being mostly supportive love slow jams or moderate supportive love jams.

The show has many songs about time and has many high-energy moments that use the whole ensemble, with some character-driven ballads.  There are also the classic songs we know from the film and I would say that I enjoyed about half of the songs. There are so many songs, well over the normal amount, and I definitely liked some more than others. The show could have cut a song or two, and maybe even extended a couple. Some of the ballads are nice, and the high-energy songs can be fun. Only having the album to go off I can not comment on the set or acting in the nonmusical moments. But as an album, I have heard much worse and even worse movie adaptations. I would try and see this live, it could be a fun time, and that is essential for the theater Some shows can be deep pieces of human expression and others can just be plain fun. 

Sometimes we all need something that is plain fun, even something that reminds us of a classic movie many people love. Though not perfect, there were some songs I can see myself listening to more than once, and I would love to see how they weave into the show. This is an album I can listen to, at least a couple times, every now and then.