Theatre Review “Back to the Future: The Musical” The Straz Center, Tampa FL

Bank of America Broadway at The Straz
APR 29 – MAY 4, 2025

Great Scott! BACK TO THE FUTURE, the beloved, the Broadway musical, which premiered back in 2021 at the West End in London has its destination set for Tampa in this month. I had the pleasure of seeing this musical in London back in 2022 and 2023 and also on opening date on Broadway in 2024. I would have to say that it is one of my favorite musicals in the past few years. Still regardless having seen this show three times previously, The Straz Center delivered the goods for this touring production. The sets were fantastic, the sound was perfect and the acting was on par with previous stage adaptations. And most important the car flies (sort of)! This was an amazing experience and I highly recommend getting tickets while you still can to catch this amazing show at the Straz Center in Tampa, FL.

Winner of the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, four WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical, and the Broadway World Award for Best New Musical, BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL is adapted for the stage by the iconic film’s creators Bob Gale (Back to the Future trilogy) and Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump) and directed by the Tony Award®-winner John Rando with original music by multi-Grammy® winners Alan Silvestri (Avengers: Endgame) and Glen Ballard (Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror”), alongside hit songs from the movie including “The Power of Love,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “Earth Angel” and “Back in Time.”

Having seen BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL previously with original cast Olly Dobson, who played Marty McFly and Roger Bart, who perfectly became Doc Brown it was setting the bar high for Tampa, FL. Lucas Hallauer, who plays Marty honestly did a fantastic job. Haven seen the show three times with three different Martys, he fit right up there with the best of them. Don Stephenson, who plays Doc also delivered the good. My favorite is still Roger Bart but the guy originated the role so its hard to beat the best. Don did a solid job and hit all the right notes. Notable performances were Cartreze Tucker, who plays Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry, he sang his heart out and delivered a fun performance. Also I thought that Ethan Rogers was a really solid Biff Tannen. He has the looks and the chops to go along with the role. Honestly highly recommend this touring cast overall.

After seeing this show in London and New York, I was a bit concerned about how they would do a few of the shows key moments and depict the sets. Well let me tell you we were blown away but the sets. They did an amazing job replicating taking you back to Hill Valley. And if you have seen the show you are probably wondering if the car flies…and it does in Tampa, FL. Not fully like in London and New York but it does what it can for a touring production and honestly let the audience in awe and us quite impressed with how things were handled. So I say, get out to Tampa, FL for this run of BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL before time runs out because you don’t want to miss this show!!