This Is Heavy, Man: A Back to the Future Musical Is in the Works

Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads. But, uh, we’ll definitely need to snag some tickets. A musical adaptation of director Robert Zemeckis and writer Bob Gale’s timeless (ha) 1985 action-adventure film, Back to the Future, is coming to the Manchester Opera House in England starting Feb. 20, 2020.

Back to the Future: The Musical will be directed by Tony Award-winner John Rando. Gale, who co-wrote the film with Zemeckis, is in charge of the story, while music comes from the one-two combo of songwriter-producer Glen Ballard and composer Alan Silvestri. Ballard is perhaps best known for his work on Alanis Morissette’s record-breaking Jagged Little Pill. Silvestri is a frequent Zemeckis collaborator, scoring live action/cartoon hybrid Who Framed Roger Rabbit, the Tom Hanks-led Castaway and, of course, Back to the Future. Classic rock songs featured in the film will also make appearances.

Olly Dobson will play Marty McFly, a role filled by Michael J. Fox in the film franchise. Dobson’s previous work includes the musicals Matilda and Bat out of Hell. No word on who’s locked down the Doc Brown role as of yet, but it will certainly be a challenge coming after Christopher Lloyd’s memorable performance. Lloyd himself had only positive things to say about the forthcoming show in a statement:

Ever since Bob Gale told me about this, I’ve been eagerly anticipating it and, in particular, wondering what it will be like to hear Doc Brown sing. I’m only sorry I don’t have a real time machine so that I could see it tomorrow.

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A musical version of the first film in the sci-fi trilogy was originally due for release in 2015 to celebrate its 30th anniversary. But Gale believes the production will be worth the wait, adding in a statement of his own:

Bob Zemeckis and I have been trying to get this project off the ground for years, but good things take time and finally, the time is right. Our cast is outstanding, the songs are fantastic and director John Rando is doing an amazing job ensuring the show truly captures the magic of the movie. We’re thrilled that we can retell our story on stage in a brand-new way, and we’re certain that Back to the Future fans all over the world will share our enthusiasm. In the words of Marty McFly, ‘your kids are gonna love it’—and so will you and your parents.

The show will run at Manchester Opera House for 12 weeks before finishing on May 17 and moving to London’s West End.

Check out the (very brief) promo clip below and snag some pre-sales here while you can.