by Michael Buzzelli
In a super-souped-up DeLorean, Marty McFly (Lucas Hallauer) travels back in time and accidentally prevents his parents from meeting in “Back to the Future – the Musical.”
For some inexplicable reason, Marty McFly is besties with a mad genius, Doc Brown (David Josefsberg), who is decades older than the high schooler. The mad doctor has invented the eponymous time machine, using the chassis of a tricked-out DeLorean. He’s stolen some weapons-grade plutonium to power his vehicle.
Note: In the updated version of the script, the Libyan terrorists have been excised, but Doc Brown’s life is still in danger. He could be dying of radiation poisoning when he mishandles the plutonium (with a half-life of 24,100 years, it’s some pretty toxic exotic material).
Marty and Doc test the time machine by revving her up to 88 mph. In Doc Brown’s own words, “If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, You’re gonna see some serious sh–[this version shifts away from the original quote].”
Bang! Zoom. It’s back to frolicking 50s.
Marty finds himself stuck in the past. While wandering around Hill Valley, he notices his nerdy father, George McFly (Mike Bindeman), peeping into Lorraine (Zan Berube) Baines’s bedroom window. When he falls out of the tree in his father’s place, Lorraine, his biological mother, swoons for him instead. Now (or rather then), Lorraine, a horned-up poodle-skirt-wearing Bobby-Soxer, is crushing on Marty (under the guise of Calvin Klein because she thinks his name is sewn into his skivvies). Her attraction creates a time paradox, preventing his own birth.
That’s some Wibbly-Wobbly, Timey Wimey stuff!
Heavy!
Marty must reunite his parents at the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance, or he’ll and his siblings will be erased from the timeline.
Great Scott! It’s the Roger Zemeckis classic film with music!
Screenwriter Bob Gale returns to Hill Valley to rewrite the adaptation with music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard. Yes, there are some corny jokes…dad jokes! But the cheesy material doesn’t take away from the rollicking fun. It’s a literal and figurative blast from the past!

Hallauer is delightful as Marty. Squint and you’ll swear it’s Michael J. Fox up on the stage. His impression is uncanny, especially when he’s in the life preserver…er…red ski vest.
In the opening number, “It’s Only a Matter of Time,” McFly tells you his going to break the fourth wall, and when he does, it’s hilarious, poking fun at the ensemble when they appear out of nowhere during the chorus.
Josefsberg’s Doc Brown is kooky and fun. His character is more of a departure from the original, but that’s a good thing. Several lines come off as spur-of-the-moment adlibs.
The cast is spectacular, including the cartoonish bully, Biff Tannen (Nathaniel Hackman), the crotchety Principal Strickland (Luke Anthony Neville), and Marty’s siblings, disappearing Dave (Fisher Lane Stewart) and vanishing Linda (Katie Laduca).
The best voice in the show goes to Cartreze Tucker who shows up as Goldie Wilson and Chuck Berry’s fictional cousin, Marvin Berry. He steals the show with incredibly high notes.
The visual design of the “Back to the Future – the Musical” is pure magic. Illusion designer Chris Fisher and Video Designer Finn Ross create a visual feast. It’s spectacular.
While the exposition at the top of the show gets things off to a slow start, it ramps up the second the DeLorean appears (out of seemingly nowhere).
John Rando expertly directs the show with some fantastic choreography from Chris Bailey.
“Back to the Future – the Musical” dazzles. This show is pure joy.
– MB
“Back to the Future” runs until July 6th at the Benedum, 237 Seventh Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For tickets and more information, click here.