why Broadway hated BACK TO THE FUTURE the musical | UK vs US reviews roundup and analysis
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ค. 2024
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OHMYGOD HEY!
Earlier this week, the new musical adaptation of the hit film BACK TO THE FUTURE opened at the Winter Garden Theater on Broadway.
Although the show is still successfully running at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End and won the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, it received largely negative reviews from the New York critics.
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00:00 | introduction
01:54 | west end reviews
09:20 | broadway reviews
26:10 | what does this mean?
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#musical #broadway #backtothefuture - บันเทิง
I work as an usher at BTTF on broadway and we are packed every show to full or near capacity and the audience response is ecstatic!
Can’t wait. I’m going next Saturday.
I loved it
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Watched it, it was greay
I feel like saying to these critics: "I guess you guys arent ready for that yet, but your kids are gonna love it!!"
I LOVED this show with the original West End cast. I left buzzing with joy and it was so much fun. I don't want to be moved to tears or have an existential crisis every time I see a show. This felt refreshingly upbeat and I really do like many of the songs. The visual effects literally made my jaw drop at the end. That's never happened before! I hope it does well in North America too. I think between tourism, nostalgia factor and Roger Bart, it's sure to! I liked how you compared the UK and US response. Thanks for another great video!
I wasn't surprised to see it panned by broadway critics. But the good thing is this show is gonna be okay regardless. Its gonna attract the tourists better than any show in the last 5 years.
It will probably be a monster hit when it goes on tour across the US, too.
@@alexdaley7616my favorite back to the future and the phantom of the Opera area gaslight theater show tickets for spoof episode spot
@@alexdaley7616Annie and Peter pan and the phantom of the Opera area gaslight theater show tickets for spoof sports spoof episode spot on musical show on doing live concert
I feel a show can be fun and have a good score. Legally blonde got everything from the movie right and expanded more and made the romance better. And the songs are incredible!
So I’m all for a show to be fun but I think scores can we also good in a fun show.
Two people two opinions. I did not like Legally Blonde at all. (there is one song I remember I liked)
I think all but one change they did from the movie was making it worse. While in the movie Elle is putting in the work and figuring things out herself while in the musical she has THE MAN to figure it out with or for her.
Emmet is great, but Elle did not need him to figure out the "common law marriage" to get the dog, for example. But in the musical she suddenly did and it cheapened her achievements. IMO
I am happy you (and many, many others) loved the musical as much as you did. Wish I could be among you, actually. But it just didn't work for me.
Have a lovely day.
100% agree. I loved Back to the Future. It was super fun and the performances were fab but it would have so much more longevity if the songs were special too. Apart from the ones carried over from the movie they are for the most part the most generic musical theatre songs you can imagine, with no clever lyrics or anything surprising. Something like Legally Blonde or Six is just going to be so much more memorable long term because the songs are so good. And won't rise or fall based entirely on how good the cast are, which I think Back to the Future will.
Legally Blonde is my favorite musical, I think they improved so much on the source material and the songs are all amazing.
I liked Xanadu. Although the movie was already a musical, with a great soundtrack, turning it into a broader comedy and giving it an actual plot, was a big improvement over the original material. The same with Hairspray. You have to add something.
Not every show has to be high art. Sometimes it just has to be fun. Plus we need these kind of shows to attract audience members that otherwise wouldn’t attend the theatre.
Agreed
Bingo!!!!
These are the shows that cause people to fall in love with musical theater. Plenty of critics and Tony voters admitted that “Beauty and the Beast” received mixed reviews, and losing Best Musical, was a political decision. Every decade this happens….. “CATS”, “Wicked”, and now “Back to the Future”. Broadway would die with these big, family-friendly musicals. We are never going to get composers and lyricists like Stephen Sondheim and Howard Ashman again. Even the likes of Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz, and Tim Rice are well past their prime. The critics need to start accepting that. Especially, since Lin-Manuel Miranda turned out to a one-trick pony.
@@ChienaAvtzon I don’t think I’d call LMM a one trick pony as the creator of TWO of the most acclaimed musicals of the last twenty years: In the Heights AND Hamilton. He may not be as prolific as Sondheim or Webber but I wouldn’t be surprised if he has another mega-hit sometime this decade.
NOT EVERY SHOW IN THE THEATRE HAS TO BE SHAKESPEARE OR CHEKHOV. 🙄🖐🏼🎤
@@ChienaAvtzon I have a very clear memory of being at a friend's apartment and they played the original cast album of CATS and I just...could not fathom what fresh hell.... That is one of the great things about show business. You just never know. We are never going to get another show like Showboat, like Hellzapoppin, like Oklahoma, like the Fantastiks again....and somehow it goes forward. Don't sleep on Encanto, it's lovely.
It's fascinating to see when the US and UK react so differently to theatre. Take Heathers for example. Didn't make it far off-broadway, and yet the UK has taken the show to new heighte
And heathers really IS a transformation rather than a "put the movie on stage" like Dirty Dancing was (Which I enjoyed seeing on stage _once_ because I loved the film and it was fun to celebrate it, but it certainly did not become a new fandom thing in the way the Heathers musical did)
Just saw bttf on Broadway yesterday. I went in spite of the negative reviews because, honestly I just didn't care what the critics thought. The theater was packed and also many families with younger children, perhaps enjoying their first Broadway experience. It was a fun show with awesome special effects. I see it playing for quite a long time.
I think the USP for Back to the future is that it encompasses multiple generations and different backgrounds, plus there are a LOT of mega fans who have seen it many times! I saw it both in Manchester and in London before it went to NY, and I’ve loved it every time I’ve seen it, I also saw one of the first broadway previews and it’s still got the same endearing qualities!
This is always a thing on Broadway... People writing reviews for shows that are aimed at a younger audience and not getting it. Same thing happened with wicked. Why don't they realise that these days theatre goers are people in their 20s and families... Back to the future came out in the 80s.. yes people would have watched it and yes people love it... But the main target demographic of people are watching this just for a fun new version... Not because of anything Todo with the film.
Do you know what I was Bron in 1984 against 26
Bob Gale has said many times “When people say I want to see Back to the Future 4, I think what they’re really saying is, ‘I want to see something that makes me feel the same way I felt when I first saw Back to the Future.’”. He now goes on to say that if you want that feeling, go see the musical. As you said, it’s for the fans, it puts on a great spectacle for everyone as well as catering to the fans. If you go into bttf wanting a good time it delivers!
I just hope come on movie theater in new movie sounds good I love it so much
12:25 THANK YOU!!!!!! There's no need to ruin the fun for so many people who enjoy the "theme park shows" just because they're not "high art". Sometimes (especially after the last 3 years) people just wanna go to the theatre now to just have fun.
P.S. Can I borrow the Marty vest for when I'm seeing it in London in a couple weeks?
Right! See also: escape to Margaritaville. That shows a bop. No, it isn’t “high art” but it’s a fun time and sometimes you need that
Although the position in these reviews is a negative comparison the comparison isn't wrong. Themepark musicals very often are just recreations of movies on stage. Except when you go and see a Broadway show you expect more depth and feeling. I think the comparison reflects more poorly on the Broadway shows than Themepark shows though as many people I have seen agreeing that at least the Themepark versions of Frozen and Aladdin were better than their Broadway counterparts. It's not necessarily a dig on quality but more on context and (monetary)value.
@@99lodewijk - Actually, most people who go to Broadway shows expect a spectacle and something fresh. Which is why so many recent musicals have flopped. With ticket prices rising, audiences want their money’s worth.
You’re absolutely right for preferring that reviews judge a show based on its own objectives. I wish more critics would think like you!
Exactly! Back to the Future is trying to be a nostalgic crowd-pleaser... and it is!!! I've seen it twice in the West End in London, it's an absolute charmer! (My actual favorite West End show of the last few years is Operation Mincemeat though... because it's aiming for something much more, and achieves it!)
Back to the Future is such a popular franchise and really is the absolute perfect movie script that fans are going to support this musical for a while. Musicals like this, where families can go and have an amazing experience need to exist so that other higher art, more abstract musicals can also exist. They go hand-in-hand. Plus, I have seen Roger Bart perform on Broadway and he is one of the best live performers you’ll ever see. I’ve never seen someone so consistent with their singing. He would be worth the price of admission for me.
He's the reason why I am flying over to NY after seeing the UK version a couple of times. What else did you see him in?
@@LuckyDipster2do you know what I just hoping coming back to Tucson Arizona has been coming back
@@LuckyDipster2do you know what show it's I just love seeing show coming back to Tucson Arizona AZ feel like feeling feel like being in Tucson Arizona AZ show
My take here is...there's no excuse for lame music, and it's not wrong to criticize it for that. Sure you can say the music isn't "the point" but that's no reason to settle for sub-par. Other than that, I agree with you all around
I'm just thinking of a random passerby who maybe saw BTTF and wanted to see this video, hears about "Bad Cinderella" also being panned, and is about to go down a rabbit hole so deep Reeve Carney will have to go rescue them.
Shows can be both - Shrek, Spamalot and Legally Blonde were all built on established properties yet elevated their material. Seeing them in a new form with music gave new life and perspective. It is fine for shows to be mass-market crowd-pleasers, that doesn't mean they shouldn't be good shows also.
exactly! audiences deserve something good with heart in it not just lazy cash grabs that assume they have little kid brain
I’ve seen BTTF the Musical on Broadway twice (so far) and as much as I loved it the first time, I enjoyed it even more the second time! It has broad appeal and cool special effects. Above all, the cast is insanely talented!! 10/10
This was totally gonna happen. Mixed to negative from the much more critical New York critics, but finds an audience and attracts the tourists anyway. I bet it’s gonna run for a good amount of time
"Critical"?? Posh and veeery imporant you mean?! Since a very long time Broadway isn't what it used to be anymore and it's a well known fact that you'll find the best shows Off Broadway! Some people take themselves far too seriously and in the case of critics cause a lot of damage with the easily manipulated crowd sometimes!
I haven't seen BTTF yet so I can't comment on that specifically, but I think a difference in terms of movie adaptations between this and something like A Little Night Music is that ALNM didn't really have any expectations about the source material -- the movie was obscure enough that almost no one was entering the theatre reciting lines from it or remembering what their favorite scenes looked like. With something like BTTF, there are so many iconic lines and scenes that really have to be there, that it might not leave much room for thinking about how to do things differently. (When I was watching the Heathers proshot, one thing that kept annoying me was how obviously it was telegraphed when they were about to say one of the iconic lines from the movie -- like, there would always be a pause and a hair toss and a pose and a giant "Look! We're about to do a thing!")
One that I think did a really good job with adapting a movie is Beetlejuice -- it found the unspoken details and drew those out with the songs. Something like "Dead Mom" would have made no sense in the movie -- there's no way to have a sulky teenager do a monologue like that, and the whole point is that she doesn't have someone to talk to about it -- and that's exactly where musicals excel.
Also, I'm a huge fan of the movies -- practically wore out those VHS tapes as a kid, went on the rides at Universal Studios in Orlando and California, have had a bunch of t-shirts and other merch over the years -- and my feeling on the musical has mostly been, "Sure, I'll see it if I can get a decent priced ticket, but I'm not paying $150+ for that. Maybe $50 or so." I've got limited time in the NYC area (I grew up there, and still visit my dad there, but I live a few hundred miles away now), and also limited money for tickets, and my priority is going to be stuff that I haven't seen before. And this mostly sounds like it goes into the "stuff I've seen before" category, even though I've just seen the movie and not the show.
Agree about Heathers, lots of the direct quotes from the film seem to have been shoved in because the audience wanted those lines, rather than them necessarily making sense in the context of the musical, and were telegraphed.
i agree! i rlly liked how beetlejuice was able to use the difference in medium to enhance the story. to me btf feels like it’s not utilizing the fact that it’s on stage at all which feels so high school student first musical directing endeavor
I must fall in the middle of some venn diagram as someone who was desperately nostalgic for Back to the future but wanted a bit more from the songs. Damn, that car was good though.
I’m really surprised by the reaction. I absolutely love the songs and I listen to the soundtrack all the time. I’m a hardcore fan of the film, but I also love many of the songs as well.
I'm not even a hardcore fan of the films but I loved the songs.
Sure they're not Hamilton but I'm also listening to them all the time
Adaptations are a tricky thing: "Traditional" theatre audiences will often look for a new spin on the existing material - something that gives them a new perspective on a well-known story. That is, after all, what many theatre productions are about: Take an existing piece and make it surprising and new.
On the other hand, fans of a franchise often would like to have more of what they love. They like to revisit characters and places they are already familiar with - it's the comfort of familiarity.
Both of these are valid motivations. Most theatre shows fall into the former category, but BTTF sits squarely in the latter. That's also why it's so often compared to theme park shows. Not because of the acting or effects (which are definitely of higher quality than in any theme park show), but because it's aiming for the same goals: Making the audience happy by showing them a faithful reproduction of something they already love.
I can understand why people dislike it: The score is rather uninspired, there's no dramatic tension whatsoever, since we all know every little beat of the story and the production doesn't try to put a new or surprising spin on it, and the cast is often reduced to trying to imitate their movie counterparts as closely as possible.
I can also understand why people like it: It's a fast-paced big budget spectacle that dazzles its audiences with the ways in which it manages to recreate familiar scenes from a beloved movie live on stage.
Its main weakness, I would say, is how much it is dependent on these production values to work. I don't think the show could be done as a high school or community theatre production. Take away the impressive effects and detailed sets and costumes, and what you are left with is a slightly clunky retelling of the movie script, sprinkled with mediocre songs.
TL;DR: I'd say it's recommendable as an overall entertainment experience, but rather lacking in terms of book and score.
Agree with every single word of this. I don’t hate movie adaptations on principle - (GHD remains one of my favourite musicals ever) - but this just didn’t gel for me when I saw it last year. I appreciated so many of the individual elements but as an overall package it missed the mark for me.
(Obviously I was in the minority as the rest of the audience loved it!)
@@carolineh8713 I'm a big fan of Groundhog Day, too - which (although not without flaws) did expand on the movie in many interesting ways. Of course, it wasn't a commercial success. My guess is that "theatre traditionalists" dismissed it as yet another movie adaptation, while those looking for a "theme park"-like experience were disappointed that the show did its own thing instead of following the movie's story beat-by-beat.
In that sense, BTTF is playing it safer by sticking as close to the movie as possible.
Interesting point that theatrical revivals are interesting because they allow the material to be reinvestigated through today's eyes, and the Broadway critics are demanding that of BTTF. Seems weird though to pan it because it doesn't achieve (or aspire) to that. I wonder if the critics are in danger of being a bit out of touch - and elitist - when demanding that theatre must be more than just entertainment... that there is something distasteful about pure entertainment
"Apologies in advance if anyone has an adverse health reaction"... 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
There are two main reasons why I watch your videos:
1. The expertly incisive, thoughtful and balanced analysis of theatre;
2. The unmatched wit and playfulness with which you present the above. Thank you for being you. 😄
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I think the New York reviews sound fair. The producers already had the story and the characters. They needed to bring the special effects and the new songs, and the new songs aren't great. Maybe they should have tried just folding other vintage 80s hits into the score.
I'm interested to know if Back to the Future in London is still considered part of the 'Post-Covid' musicals. You've mentioned before how Bad Cinderella was well received by critics in London because it was a sign that theater was back and they wanted to applaud that effort. Could that also be implied on the critics reaction of WE BTTF? It's also interesting to hear that the actual criticisms on both sides of the Atlantic sound pretty similar in a void but are put in a more negative context on the US side and more positive on the UK side.
Ooh I second this! I’d love to hear that too.
I would certainly say its a post covid show. It was very interesting to see how BTTF got best musical as well at the oliviers as I feel unsure on if it would have got that if it was in any other year (e.g. like this year where we had shows against Standing at the skys edge).
@@TheMonicaAlisonbttf also got good reviews in manchester which was before covid
Oh interesting! I hadn't heard the reviews but had just heard how well the box office was doing lol so didn't realise it had been hated. Fascinating insight - absolutely love these review breakdown videos from you.
First time commenter! I've been waiting for this video from you. I live in NYC and saw this show with a friend who is a reviewer. I am also a Back To The Future fan, and they were heavily promoting it amongst the nerd community at New York Comic Con last October. There was a big panel with the actors from the movie, and a few years ago there was also a documentary, so for some of us movie fans, we have an an outlet to express that fandom. I don't by any means consider myself a theater snob or especially discerning, but 10 minutes in to Back To The Future, I was already internally rolling my eyes. As a fan of both musicals and the Back to the Future movie, I was torn. On one hand, I was really surprised at how bland/forgettable the music was and lack of vision, besides anything to do with the car and its effects of course. I really agree about this being more at home at a theme park. On the other hand, the audience I saw it with LOVED it, and I'm not going to tell them that their opinions are invalid. I hope this show runs for a while and lots of people see it! (The one other issue I had was the actor playing George McFly doing a straight up imitation of Crispin Glover, especially considering Crispin Glover sued over his likeness being used in Back To The Future 2. It just felt a little icky ethically/artistically, but I don't know if anyone else considers it problematic.)
Great review, especially the summary at the end. The reason I think the critics don't likethe score is because, kind of liike a juke box music, the songs don't move the plot along. it needs to be understood that he songs are reflection/thoughts for the characters, or if it was on a screen, it would be the "closeup". it has how we know what the characters are feeling. As for the book, this drive me crazy and you mentioned it..many critics wanted different storylines BASED on these characters, not based on the first film. Many negative reviews point out the "cringe" scenes about mother and son. but this was in the movie. they wanted expanded roles for Jennifer, which not in the movie. So that brings us to the Why for the show in the first place. The critics seem to only like shows, now, that bring light to societal issue. that is now art to them. Fun is not art to them. I think the critics were expecting, and hoping for, a show in which a 2023 Marty McFly goes back to 1993 and fixes some of the world problems before he gets to come back. And back to the score, listen to the UK cast album a few more times, and many of the original songs will grow on you. I think this is same for any show with original music. Unless you have heard the score/song somewhere else before, you will not leave a a theater humming or singing it.. You dont remember songs that quickly!
I hate that shows get dismissed immediately for being based on a movie or being a jukebox musical. There still is so much behind making a story work in a two act and theatrical format and like figuring out when to musicalize a moment and how to make changes. I think one of the most successful musical adaptations of a movie is Legally Blonde, and I would go as far to say it is better than the movie.
I'm kind of shocked there hasn't been a ghostbusters musical at this point.
I went to see it ( West End) just to say i saw it. As a musical it was very disappointing, as an experience it was great. I couldnt name or hum any of the songs. But i enjoyed it.
What makes this show for me (wait in the wings made a big point on this)
How that ending is SO special, getting him BACK to the future, flashing between Doc and Marty in the car.
He put in it perfectly it makes theatre seem so damn COOL.
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I actually do worry about 'theme park musicals' because their success tends to beget imitators. And widespread imitation of mediocrity is a great way to train theatre-goers into thinking that the theatre shouldn't challenge them, and shouldn't change them, but SHOULD charge them $1000, and isn't good unless there's a spectacular prop.
We've been down this road before, and it represented something of a nadir for artistic integrity on Broadway.
It's a side note, but I sort of resent your invoking Sondheim's name with respect to film adaptations. He adapted exactly TWO films for the stage, and both sources were originally in foreign languages -- it's not as though he was targeting enormous existing American audiences.
I don't think theatre will ever lose the artsy crowd if that's what you're worried about.
You do realize all of Sondheim’s musicals are adaptations, right? He also did not take himself all that seriously.
@@ChienaAvtzonNo they weren't. Anyone Can Whistle? Company? Follies? Pacific Overtures? Sunday in the Park? Assassins? All original.
But besides: my remarks were limited to the subject at hand, which is adaptations *of films* ... I don't recommend trying to tango with me on Sondheim. Especially when you make such provably false assertions.
@@benjaminsagan5861 - Several of those are based on books and plays. Meaning, they are adaptations. Stop acting like a know-it-all. Especially, when you know you are lying.
No... none of them are. Check your facts! The only slightly credible exception is Company, which was inspired by a set of unproduced One-Acts by his collaborator George Furth -- but that's not the same thing at all.
Thanks for this! I knew liked the show in London, and was surprised by the negative reviews in New York, It's nice to have an additional perspective.
Haven't finished watching this video, but I did want to address something you asked about what the difference is between musicalizing a book vs musicalizing a film. I believe that in most cases, books that were musicalized successfully were created in order to share a good story with a wider audience. Not a lot of folks would have read Les Miserables (because it is dauntingly long and arduous), nor would they have read Phantom of the Opera, because they may have seen one of the many (largely unfaithful) movie versions. The creators of those musicals read the novels and thought "Hey, there is a great story in here, and I think it sings. I could make a musical out of this, and it would be something new that I think a lot of people would enjoy." Whereas this current trend of making musicals out of blockbuster movies is purely an attempt at cashing in on nostalgia. A LOT of people have seen the movies of Back to the Future, Pretty Woman, Mrs. Doubtfire, Beetlejuice, etc. Those movies were and continue to be insanely popular. The stage musicals are therefore created as a way for people to relive their favorite on-screen moments, but in a more visceral, live-on-stage way. Adding songs, as you hypothesized, is most likely their way of making it seem worth the money. There is a huge difference in the reasons for making those kinds of shows vs. the ones based on books. And as such, there is an equally huge difference in the execution of it.
It's like stage fan-fic.
I'm seeing the show for my birthday so I'm super excited to see this video! I am from NYC and Back to the Future is the only recent musical I haven't seen, and I have been wanting to(Casey Likes is also only 2 months younger than me which is cool).
Fantastic show!! Saw in London. Standing ovations every night says it all. Can't believe the negative reviews!! 😮 One of the best shows I've seen for a long time 👏👏👏👏👏
What an intelligent, and multi-faceted review. i certainly give you credit for having a mind, Very Appreciative. I think the audience for Theater is widely divergent, & lots of properties can work.
Just loath when "theme park shows" are dragged like they are 2nd class crap. Can't wait until you come to Orlando to see Finding Nemo The Musical (which the music was written by the Bobby & Kristen Lopez) & the local talent here & other places are creating beautiful moments that may encourage guests to see these movie musicals. You have people seeing this or something like Beetlejuice that will then possibly go to something else exposing people to the theater which is always ALWAYS a win. As for BTTF the original songs yes are fairly forgettable but just like other movie musicals they are fun & help to enhance what you know & love just enough to make it different where you want to pay that ticket price.
I love you; you are so smart and your comments are so intelligent and logical. You are the BEST!
Just saw it and to be honest I didn't care much for the soundtrack but everything else makes up for it. The actors, the set design, the singing, just the whole energy of the show. You might not remember any of the songs by the next day but you will remember how energetic it was
The songs in this show really do vary, but I will always appreciate a movie adaptation going for original songs (god can you imagine if bttf was a jukebox musical? 🤢) I thought the book was fantastically written - a good adaptation of the movie without it being word for word (and there's some really great new jokes!). Of all the west end casts I've seen, each has been 10/10 performance wise, and there's no denying the set, tech, and special effects are five star. Broadway critics always seem deathly harsh to me. Disappointed in their reviews, they seem to weigh unfair, but tbh I'm not surprised.
I was there for opening night on Broadway & I loved the show. But I knew what I was seeing- a movie turned musical onstage. My expectations were different than when I went to see something else new, like Here Lies Love, for instance… Not lower expectations, just different. Like others have said, the new songs were just meh, but I didn’t think they took away from the story at all. It just wasn’t a soundtrack I’ll probably ever listen to on my own. Overall, it was a really fun and lighthearted night of seeing theatre. I also saw Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway that weekend, & I found BTTF comparable to that in the sense that it’s not something to be taken seriously! It’s just humorous entertainment with fun special effects. I really do hope that BTTF has a long & successful run, because I love the idea of having a show on Broadway (besides Disney) that would appeal to many people who may not typically enjoy/seek out musicals, or to families/younger audiences.
Your analysis of the show and the reviews is so spot on!
Having just seen BTTF on Broadway, I agreed with everything you said. The show struck a tremendous balance between sticking to the original and offering some new elements. The audience (full of fans) was delighted and engaged throughout. The special effects were astounding. It is a memory of our trip to NYC that I will treasure!
I saw BTTF two years ago, one of the first shows I saw after theatres reopened and reviewed it for a website I write for, I came to the same conclusion as a lot of the critics here: all the tech stuff was fab, the cast were great but the songs were dull and I do consider that a problem with a musical, I want at least one song that sticks with me after the show, I want to be feeling like I need to download the cast album (if there is one) to listen to the songs over again. I didn't get that with BTTF. However I do think some of these reviews were overly harsh, the show does have things going for it, and whilst things can be both high art and entertaining, it's good for some things to be just fun, we need theatre for all tastes! If BTTF gets people who might not otherwise have been interested in theatre into the audience and they come out having had a great time and wanting to see more theatre, that can only be a good thing.
I really liked it when I saw it last year. The only thing I would take out is the dad song and there was another song which were both slowing down the whole show so much.
The whole end scene from when they try to go back was just insane! So fun and brilliant staging.
Totally agree! Saw this in London May 2022 and it was ridiculously fun. Have suggested this to friends in NYC for a fun night at the theater. Won't change anyone's life but certainly a ton of fun while in the theater. Spongebob and the Jimmy Buffet Musical were similar in this regard.
Musically, not a memorable song in it…however, it was thoroughly enjoyable and theatrically it was brilliant. The car stuff was just fabulous.
Absolutely agree. Musically and dramatically, it’s not great, but the staging and special effects are fantastic and really elevate the material.
I stumbled along the west end trailer. I was like, whatttt??? It looks super amazing! Id love to see it. Anyway, I appreciate your review, and I really agree with what I've seen of your videos. I think you have a great perspective on musical theater. But I will say this, having grown up in New York and studied theater, at the end of the day, the music is what makes the musical. Without a good score, a musical is here today and gone tomorrow. If you don't walk out of the theater himmi g "we're off to see the wizard" or "tale as old as rhyme rhyme as old as tail", then the future for that musical isn't much. And Thats the rub with a lot of these adaptations nowadays. The music isnt memorible. I saw on here spider-man, there was nothing that was memorable about the score but i loved the theatrics. So yes, the whole point of a musical is the music. And for it to be timeless, then the music has to be something that is captivating and memorable.
'Some Like It Hot' took a beloved movie (considered by some to be one of the all time great movie comedies) and breathed new life into it without having to feel restrained by the original. And the music enhances the story and deepens the characters.
Many people bemoaned the "Disney-fication" of Broadway/Times Square years ago but I've always cheered anything that will bring people who don't consider themselves to be theater goers into a theater (on Broadway or on a national tour). If they leave with a new appreciation for the experience of live theater, or if some young audience member is mesmerized and thinks "that's what I want to do" it's a win all around. Some people like movies that follow a familiar and comfortable formula so they are satisfied when a rom com or a superhero movie or a Christmas movie delivers what they wanted out of it. There's nothing wrong with theater that does that too, and there is still room for entertainment that will challenge an audience. 'Back To The Future' and 'The Lehman Trilogy' can exist in the same universe.
“Some Like it Hot” is an outdated musical and is losing money. It never gained an audience, because it offers nothing new or unique.
@@ChienaAvtzon have you seen the show? define 'outdated,' and what figures indicate that it is losing money?
@@minutemanmuster - “Some Like it Hot” has a weekly operating cost of $950k. Which is $100k more than something like “Sweeney Todd”. If that basic math does not explain, why “Some Like it Hot” is losing money, then nothing will.
@@ChienaAvtzon but have you seen it?
I saw the show the weekend after it opened and had a great time. Everyone in the theatre seemed to really enjoy it. Most people were obvious fans of the movie and i think its great that this show might have gotten people who don't usually go to the theatre to give it a try. It was also nice seeing families with kids experiencing theatre together. I was alittle nervous if i was going to like it because i didn't like the opening number, but it was the only scene i had a problem with. I saw the show for Roger Bart and he didn't disappoint. Glad i saw it. And i would recommend BTTF (especially to friends i know who don't like high art shows but prefer shows that are just fun).
MickeyJo--we've seen shows like this one-they are critic-proof. Back to the Future will run for a long time on Broadway. First, it's in the best possible house: the Winter Garden, where shows traditionally have long run or spectacular casts. It's a guaranteed tourist draw (whereas another UK import, The Shark Is Broken, is just magnificent). BTTF also has Roger Bart, who is a star on every level. Nonetheless, some of us are going to see it because it is BTTF. So we can be forgiving if it's not high art. The songs aren't great? Um, uh, not the first musical over the past 120 years where a Broadway musical had lousy songs.
I just saw both of those on Saturday with Broadway Roulette. It's felt like a very 80s weekend.
Critics have 2 functions - they need to be a consumer advocate and they exist to uphold artistic excellence. I have had many issues with Jesse Green's often lazy writing recently, but he fulfilled both functions well here and this was one of his better written reviews. He noted where artistically the show failed but said it may be worth getting a ticket for the visual effects.
You identified a marketing reason for the show being a musical (musical makes it seem like something more worth seeing than just a stage play of the movie), and the show exists for financial reasons (untapped IP you also mentioned). That's all very well, but a critic can't review grosses or marketing campaigns. They have to review the show put in front of them. The marketing team will let people know the show exists and their job is to get people to show up regardless of reviews. If the show only has marketing and financial reasons for being, if there is no artistic reason for being, that deserves to be mentioned.
Saying "the songs barely matter" when discussing a musical is just... sad. I saw Back to the Future in London with the original cast, and it left me going "meh". The only thing I clearly remember from the experience is the lovely, detailed theater dressing. The show itself, just a general feeling of not caring.
don't see it then. no one will care
Saw this show recently. Favorite broadway show by far. Beautiful designs (especially the animations) and the humor and songs were great!
I saw it last week and I had some pet peeves but I found it thoroughly enjoyable and the audience was very engaged and energized. People seemed to LOVE it.
whether or not it’s what the audience wants doesn’t affect the criticisms of the actual music or show. they have decided to tell a story in the format of a musical which means the songs must inherently be a major part in telling the story. i throughly enjoyed this show and had great fun but i still think that the negative reviews it’s receiving are perfectly justified as the role of a reviewer isn’t simply to judge wether or not an audience will have a nice time but how far the piece of art achieves it aims and tells the story.
no one cares what you think :)
Great review. Very balanced
I agree with your thoughts on this. I didn't expect much from this show but I had such a great time! Yes the car steals the show and I actually hadn't seen the movie. But the stage show was sooo much fun that I absolutely almost want to go see it again!!!
So I will be honest this is a bit of a sticking point for me as I have never seen the show (I was going to see it when it had its original run in Manchester but obviously COVID cancelled the run and as such I haven't seen it since I was meant to see it so I am hoping it tours at some point and then I can experience the show and see what I think of it) but I have seen the trilogy countless times (perhaps one of my favourite ones BECAUSE they knew when to stop and not overdo it like franchises that you mentioned where it just was the same) so I am going to try my hardest in voicing my opinion on this even though I have never seen the show.
I think if anything my starting point that I always think of is why did this show get the critical acclaim (especially since this is the complete reversal of what it was like on Broadway) and for me I think its a case of 'right place, right time' syndrome occuring. The reason I mention that is if you think back when this show first opened it was one of the few new shows to open that year and particularly it opened pretty much at the point where theatres could reopen. So I feel one of the reasons it got the praise was actually because for critics they had been starved of theatre for over a year and half and regardless of what it was they were glad to be back in a theatre. The reason why I allude to this is because (WARNING MICKEY - I'm about to say something that could potentially cause quite bad memories) another show got very positive reviews: Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella.
Now realistically as many people have said in hindsight that show was not as good as it was made out to be and yet this was a show that was heralded by the critics and was given 5 stars across the board. Now for me both Cinderella and BTTF both do something that show a complete difference to the Broadway experience which is they provide a spectacle (obviously BTTF has the car and Cinderella had the seats thats revolved and felt you were on a ride) and the thing was that because they provided a spectacle it seemed to be a case that critics were more forgiving of the material because of its spectacle that it provided and I feel we are now moving into a new era of mega musicals where people are becoming more forgiving of productions because of their set and immersive experiences they provide (hence why I am intrigued how Broadway will react to Cabaret when it arrives on Broadway as I feel the critics will be less admired about the immersion that Cabaret provides and will be more focused on the actual production in the round and its performance of the text) on the West End whereas I feel with Broadway we are seeing less of that and more reviews that reflect 5 star territory on its relevance and originality (I know that Here's Lies Love is still immersive but I think the reason critics are praising is less so for its immersive experience that it provides and more so because of the representation it shows and the originality of the story, similar to shows such as Shucked and Kimberley Akimbo which has been praised left, right and centre).
But of course the question is will this be affected and if so why? My honest response is no and if anything I think it is because Broadway is moving back into a more commercial place what with the rise of immersive experiences (e.g. Cabaret, Macbeth with Ralph Fiennes, Here Lies Love etc...) but as well I think it is because they have promoted themselves as a musical and as we all know musicals sell more than plays. I highlight this as last week I went back to the Crucible in Sheffield to see Miss Saigon and spoke to one of the ushers and they said that out of all the things that they are doing this year this is one show so far this year which has sold out pretty much and yet their next show which is "The Hypochondriac by Moliere" is selling ok but because they know it will not sell as well as Miss Saigon they have had to reduce the ticket price to entice people and take a few rows out as they know it will not sell out as well as Miss Saigon has had. Now reverting back to BTTF the reason I say this is because I think musicals sell but when you have a show with an iconic name you know it will sell more and the series seems to be more beloved in the US rather than in the UK so I am sure this will not be the last that we hear of this. Plus, I think it harkens back to the original point that you mentioned which is that audiences are not coming to see an original show but to see the movie onstage and if the musical can provide that confidently then I can understand why they are keeping BTTF running.
Love your work as always. Hope that is a succinct answer to your question.
This brings me back to a Musical Con panel where Bob Gale acknowledged people questioning the show's existence and the way he put it was music plays a big part of Marty's character. It was an interesting move premiering the show in the UK as we're generally more forgiving to stage to screen adaptations versus Broadway's reservations towards them. Considering the show won the Best New Musical Olivier over Frozen and Moulin Rouge, it just shows sometimes people don't want to make or see "high art" musicals and that's OK. You don't have to personally like them, but if it has an audience like Back To The Future clearly has in this difficult time for the industry, then it should be celebrated in that regard.
I saw BTTF on Broadway. The performances were excellent and the technology and staging are impressive. It was a very enjoyable night at the theater and the audience loved it. Personally, I thought the dancing ensemble was in scenes where they were unnecessary, and I found it distracting, but I still had a great time and was surprised by the negative reviews. Fans of the movie will love it and families will love it. I have disagreed with the critics very often in recent years. I read Jesse Green’s book Shy and think maybe he is so educated and intellectual about theater he may want something different from a show than many theatergoers. I feel this way too about Once Upon a One More Time. The singing and dancing are great and the story is charming. Families will love it.
I’ve seen Back To The Future broadway show twice and it was such a fun experience nice in previews and on gala night and the house was packed both times
“Why” is a question that should be asked about films, not live theater. “Why” remake Alladin or The Litte Mermaid other than a crass money grab? The existing movies still look fantastic and you can always go watch them. They’re films, they’re preserved forever and you can enjoy them any time far into the future. Entertainment for entertainment sale is ABSOLUTELY OKAY, but a film still should justify itself as somehow different from the existing film that is still available and exists.
Live theater obviously isn’t like that. A performance is a moment of time, and you’re either there or you missed it. It’s why we revive old shows. You cant just go watch the movie to have the same experience as a musical. These question isn’t if it’s different than what existed in the past, the show that existed in the past is GONE FOREVER. What’s important is if it entertained!
All that said… there’s no reason any musical such as this can’t ALSO have a good score as part of the effort.
Omg the original production of ghost (in manchester) was stunning with some great songs. The original run of BTTF in manchester went very well and the audience loved it, the songs aren’t too strong but overall is a fun show. Some critics are just sour and don’t like popular entertainment
I think BTTF on Broadway has a very high chance of running for longer than these critics hope, and most importantly - it'll definitely hit all the right notes enough that come award season, this show could snag a couple Tony Awards at minimum!
“CATS” and “Wicked”, neither of which I am a fan, proved the critics wrong.
It's winning Scenic Design. That's it.
@@ChienaAvtzon Can BTTF do that? Yes, it definitely can!
@@dukeofrodtown1705 - Oh, “Back to the Future” definitely can prove the critics wrong. The cast is talented and the staging with the car is ingenious. This will be the musical to beat in the technical categories, at the Tonys.
My main issue with the score are the bland lyrics. As the musical style for the songs is quite clever. The 80s is rock and the 50s is doo-wop, with Marty always singing in 80s rock. In the hands of a better lyricist, this could have been an amazing score. Since, so many modern musicals all sound the same, by mimicking that generic Broadway style.
I think that part of the problem with this musical is that persons of my age that are also the critics age remember and know Michael J Fox is not doing well and seeing a version of him on stage is kinda heartbreaking.
I haven’t seen the show yet, but I have tickets to see it in NYC at the end of the month. My main hope for it is that I want to have a good time. It’s not high art? So what? Sometimes I like to watch things with deep meaning that make me think about it more. And other times I like to just have fun, which is what I’m hoping for with BTTF. Plus, for me there’s also the nostalgia factor. I was seven when the first movie came out and it was the first movie I ever watched at a theater. I’ve loved it since and that’s one of the main reasons I want to see the musical version.
Had planned to see in Manchester but Covid ruined that for me 🤦🏻♀️ and haven’t had chance to go to London recently (also salty about waitress closing and felt sad about going back to the Adelphi) so we went on our NY holiday last week - absolutely LOVED it! So much fun and the winter garden is a gorgeous theatre - also so weird to be in a really wide theatre rather than a deep one 😂
I think the comments from reviewers and Patty suggesting it and others are nothing more than ‘theme park shows’ is at best snobby and at worse elitist and verging on classist. Suggesting that there is only value in high art theatre and that broadway should be reserved for this kind of art suggest that these show have no value to the industry when it is providing jobs and revenue at a time where this is crucial. It’s sad to see these kinds of shows and as a result their audiences being looked down upon by an industry that struggles with widespread elitism.
PS: I’m a massive BTTF fan and I’ve been to see it twice on the west end. I think it’s great! It’s so much fun, it’s faithful to the original but also puts its own spin on it and I love the songs!
Critics can be idiots
I saw it pre-covid pre-west end run, and tho whilst most of the music didn’t stand out too much to me I really enjoyed the production. and tbh, I had low expectations going in but it ended up being one of my more favourite musical experiences.
I think shoes can be both just fun and also pack a punch - Legally Blonde being my key example. The score taps into how Elle feels and ELEVATES the story. The musical feels like it gives you even more insight than the movie into her thoughts etc. BTTF, Pretty Woman and many others recently feel like they miss that elevation and adding more. The score feels like it’s taking dialogue and musicalising it as opposed to taking a song as an opportunity to show us more on an introspective level. Just my thoughts!
I saw BTTF the night before the opening. It was my first broadway trip to NYC and I saw 6 shows. I agree on an artistic level it’s not the same as Hadestown or Parade or even Book of Mormon (all of which I saw). But, of all the shows I saw, I had the most fun at BTTF!!! And that’s what’s gonna make this show a huge success; the last 30 minutes of the show are worth the price of admission!! If/when I go back for another show-cation - BTTF will be the first ticket I buy to see again!!
Saw it opening week… the audience was bonkers for it, and I felt like the Emperor had no clothes. Based on the UK reviews, I was expecting much more…and was sorely disappointed. The cast was, of course, superbly talented and giving their best. My biggest criticism is that the songs were just profoundly forgettable, and the moments that were musicalized left me constantly wondering, “why?” BTTF (and “Tootsie” and “Pretty Woman”) did everything wrong that “Legally Blonde” and “Hairspray” got right. According to the creators, it took 18 years to get this musical to Broadway… so it is not for a lack of time that the music is so bland. Even the scenery and costumes are ho-hum, with the special effects stealing the show. You just can’t leave the theatre humming a Delorean.
I saw BTTF on Broadway recently and it was fantastic. A night of pure entertainment. It's like saying that Step Brothers was a terrible movie. Sometimes snooty reviewers just don't get it.
Liana Hunt being underused and not using her triple threat talent in reviews Also, has incredible resume. Critics really wanted her more on stage. Roger Bart reviews were fun.
Newsies fans will go to this musical because of she was Katherine replacement.
I adore you so much, I can barely stand it! Great vid! =^,,^=
Please tell me that red gillet was placed there on purpose👌
Of course 😉
I saw the Broadway production a few weeks ago and enjoyed the show. I went as part of my birthday celebration!!! I loved the film and wondered how they would convert the production into a musical. Go for the live nostalgia!!! Little kids may enjoy less since many references from the 80s and 90s will go over their heads. The show is fine for teenagers. 🤗🤗🤗
Honestly, it brought me more joy than any other theatre show I've seen in years. The whole thing just makes me value the opinion of critics less.
I’m a snob and a former actor - huge musical fan and while there were a few musical numbers that were odd and a few WAY overacted bits from featured ensemble, I loved it! Saw it in NY last week.
No one is ruining the fun for me. I saw it in London & I saw it last week and had a blast each. We need people back at the theatre. This show will get people in seats and leave with smiles on their faces. I definitely agree with reviewers that Roger Bart was brilliant and definitely made the show for me. Also, its 2023 reviews give more insight than anything else, you have to have an original thought about a show and can only do that by seeing it yourself. You can't let the New York Times tell you what to do lol
I went to see it recently and it had such a big impact on me. I was expecting it be a bad cash grab but it was actually pretty good but it really gets with the spectacle and technical elements of the show
6 times in London and then last week on Broadway. Ok, so I am a fan of the franchise. I agree with you mostly, apart from the reason behind the best musical win, not because it is the best art on stage, but it was an injection of happiness and joy that we all needed after the pandemic. That is what this show succeeds in, which makes it a great night out! Great video though!
Ha, for me it has been twice in London and now once on Broadway! For my two-penneth I think it's hugely enjoyable entertainment with utter theatrical spectacle. The 80s music, performed live knocks me out. I'm not that fussed that the songs aren't "memorable".
The sniffy reviews make me feel a bit stupid for liking it. But also that it is being judged by the wrong metric.
I'd be interested to know if u spotted any differences. I'm fascinated by how identical the productions attempt to be, or what divergences are considered ok
I saw this show on Broadway last night and loved everything about it, including the music. I hope it runs for a very long time, because I would love to see it again, especially when my grandchildren are old enough to be introduced to Broadway.
I prefer musicals to plays 99% of the time, but I've been surprised by a few shows recently where I came out thinking, "I would have enjoyed that more if it wasn't a musical." It may be a coincidence since I haven't seen any of the same shows you mentioned in this tweener third genre. The ones I had this reaction to were largely revivals: 1776 and Bridges of Madison County. Or maybe there is actually some common undercurrent I'm missing.
Have you seen the movie for Bridges of Madison County with Meryl Streep?
I had that reaction to “The Light in the Piazza” Encores revival. The score was so forgettable and boring, that it pulled the story down. It was shocking that score won a Tony in 2006.
@@overcommunikate No I haven't. It's not a musical right? I just saw the stage musical last week (regional production at the signature theatre in VA), and thought the story and characters were compelling, but every in-character song unneccessarily bogged the story down. The only exceptions were 2 songs that functioned more like a soundtrack, with other characters outside of the scene singing a song over silent action, and tonally also seemed to fit the story better.
if the creators of shows are aiming for subpar storytelling to simply send audiences out of the theatre with smiles from the superficial entertainment then i don’t think we should be accepting of that or praising this new genre of theatre but instead should hold theatre up to a higher standard.
or maybe yo should take the stick out of your ass and let people have fun. loser
couldn’t agree more!
Why go to a musical where "the songs don't really matter?".
I’m no theater critic but I do see a ton of shows and had a ton of fun during this show. Sometimes you just have to sit and enjoy a show, a show I’d bring someone who isn’t into musicals but loved the movie.
I loved seeing it on the West end, unfortunately i didnt get to see it with Olly Dobson but Roger Bart was amazing. The only thing i didnt get was the lightsaber that was shown while being in the 50's, can anybody explain this? Regards from Belgium
There is a star wars reference in the 50s in the movie so rather than doing the same reference as the movie they chose to do a light saber reference instead for the musical. The comedy in both the movie and the musical is that they don't know what a light saber is or the movies star wars reference cause Star Wars hasn't been made yet in the 50's :)
I saw the show in London in 2022 ans enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
Perhaps the difference in the reviews is what the critics are paid to do. There will always be musicals that are without unique qualities that run for a long time because they are fun, but they have to be fun on their own terms. If BttF tells its story well, making the characters matter and the 'will they get back?' plot thrilling, it won't matter. If it's just a recreation of the film then it will play to the faithful for awhile and disappear. I guess this begs the question of what makes a musical good? I'd argue it's when the music adds a dimension to the story that just dialog won't. Do the songs move the story along? I'm hard pressed to think of any character in BttF that has an internal monologue that needs singing, and I loved the film. Now don't get me started on how bad Spamalot was....
If it a film? No! Is it a play? No! It's a flay!
Back To The Future is my fave movie so when it got announced I was skeptical. I'm Aussie & saw it on west end May 2022 & I really liked. I don't like to judge shows or movies etc until I see them. I do think the set is most memorable compared to songs. But it's such a fun show it's not my fave but I think fans of the movie will like it & you don't need to see the movie first bc it's pretty much like the film minus a couple things but it's a fun time. I won't be shocked if it closes in a year with all these mixed reviews but tbh I think the name will get people in.
We need comercial musicals too.
Just saw Back to the Future on Broadway tonight. It is a little like a theme park ride, which I thought was fun. It’s not like I was expecting Les Mis. I liked the music, maybe not the best score ever. To be fair, we’re all so used to jukebox musicals, which are filled with songs we already love. That’s hard to compete with. I don’t know that anything other than what they had in the way of music would have been an improvement to the overall production. Don’t listen to the negative reviews, there’s plenty to love about this show. The cast and the special effects were amazing!!! I’d hate to see this family-friendly show close anytime soon.
As a former New Yorker, i could see that coming, and if this wasn't cruel enough, just wait for the Vampire Norma in Sunset Blvd...if this one didn't fly, just imagine that one.
Love your reviews! I think you touched on an interesting cultural dissonance between UK & US and there’s a culture of doomsayer critics in NYC- nostalgia for yesteryear.
I think there’s stronger stage adaptations of Films that can stand on their own… then there are recreations… and depending on the audience you’re looking to sell to… well, to have profitable show, you need to know how long that audience will sustain.
But Broadway is a place & culture. the American Musical Theater is not Broadway… it’s just lived there a long time.
Plenty of historically acclaimed opera's were adaptions from plays. Adapting a musical from a movie isn't drastically different.
Even Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd” is based off a play based off a penny dreadful.
I've seen it twice in Broadway so far and I will be going back again and again and again. The show was packed both times I went. Not for nothing, a review is based on ONE person/critic's opinion. This is why I don't put much stock in reviews. I'll go and see it myself and make my own decision.
I watched it when it previewed with original cast in Manchester and i thought it was fantastic.
I will happily admit that some of the songs are a bit out of place BUT, if you are a fan of the movie, this is a MUST WATCH!!
The cast paired with the stunning visuals have made for such a fun night on Broadway.
I have gone 5 times and every single show has been sold out!