Back to the Future awes audiences at hartford's bushnell performing arts center
By Kiersten Bjork (June 7, 2025)
The national tour of Back to the Future: The Musical sped into Hartford, CT on June 4 with the debut of a shining steel Delorean outside of the Bushnell Performing Arts Center. Playing through Sunday, June 8, Back to the Future is a thrilling, high-energy musical that will satisfy movie-lovers and theatre fans alike. Featuring a book by Bob Gale and music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, the musical is based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film of the same name, written by Robert Zemeckis and Gale. Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp and Bryan Cook, with dance arrangements by David Chase and vocal and music arrangements by musical supervisor Nick Finlow. The production is directed by John Rando with choreography by Chris Bailey and music direction by Matt Doebler. Kristy Norter serves as music coordinator, Taylor Haven Holt as international associate director, Jordan Murphy as US associate director, Beth Crandall as associate choreographer, and Ted Arthur as associate music supervisor. Maurice Chan is the fight director for the production. Combining impressive design work and spectacle, a story that audiences know and love, and a catchy score with tunes such as “Future Boy,” “The Power of Love,” and “Back in Time,” Back to the Future is an electric evening of pop-culture joy.
Back to the Future follows Marty McFly, the cool, rock-and-roll-loving son of a family of folks who, as he is constantly reminded by the school principal, didn’t amount to all that they may have hoped. However, following an accident, Marty finds himself traveling back in time from 1985 to 1955 in a time machine made from a Delorean, with his life flipped inside out and upside down. With mere days to reverse the damage done to his future, Marty seeks the help of the whacky Dr. Emmett Brown, and together they must ensure that Marty’s parents fall in love in 1955, and that Marty can get back to the future before it’s too late. Filled with lively dance numbers and memorable new tunes and iconic oldies, Back to the Future is a highly entertaining, action-packed delight.
The national tour of Back to the Future: The Musical sped into Hartford, CT on June 4 with the debut of a shining steel Delorean outside of the Bushnell Performing Arts Center. Playing through Sunday, June 8, Back to the Future is a thrilling, high-energy musical that will satisfy movie-lovers and theatre fans alike. Featuring a book by Bob Gale and music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, the musical is based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film of the same name, written by Robert Zemeckis and Gale. Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp and Bryan Cook, with dance arrangements by David Chase and vocal and music arrangements by musical supervisor Nick Finlow. The production is directed by John Rando with choreography by Chris Bailey and music direction by Matt Doebler. Kristy Norter serves as music coordinator, Taylor Haven Holt as international associate director, Jordan Murphy as US associate director, Beth Crandall as associate choreographer, and Ted Arthur as associate music supervisor. Maurice Chan is the fight director for the production. Combining impressive design work and spectacle, a story that audiences know and love, and a catchy score with tunes such as “Future Boy,” “The Power of Love,” and “Back in Time,” Back to the Future is an electric evening of pop-culture joy.
Back to the Future follows Marty McFly, the cool, rock-and-roll-loving son of a family of folks who, as he is constantly reminded by the school principal, didn’t amount to all that they may have hoped. However, following an accident, Marty finds himself traveling back in time from 1985 to 1955 in a time machine made from a Delorean, with his life flipped inside out and upside down. With mere days to reverse the damage done to his future, Marty seeks the help of the whacky Dr. Emmett Brown, and together they must ensure that Marty’s parents fall in love in 1955, and that Marty can get back to the future before it’s too late. Filled with lively dance numbers and memorable new tunes and iconic oldies, Back to the Future is a highly entertaining, action-packed delight.
Lucas Hallauer (Marty McFly) in the national tour of Back to the Future: The Musical, 2025 (McLeod9 Creative)
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Don Stephenson (Doc Brown) and Lucas Hallauer (Marty McFly) in the national tour of Back to the Future: The Musical, 2025 (McLeod9 Creative)
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Leading the charge as Marty McFly himself is Lucas Hallauer. With a strong pop/rock voice, great comedic timing, and wonderful stage presence, Hallauer takes on the iconic role with much success. His work opposite David Josefsberg as Doc Brown is both hilarious and touching, as the two connect and play off of each other well. Josefsberg is a captivating Doc, drawing the audience in with his heartwarming advice and rendition of “This One’s For the Dreamers,” while balancing that with the wonderfully chaotic energy of Doc Brown that we know and love.
Mike Bindeman nails the role of George McFly, from the particular physicality to the recognizable laugh. His performance earned many laughs throughout the night, and it’s great fun to watch his transformation over the course of the show. He received multiple rounds of well–earned applause mid-scene. Zan Berube’s Lorraine Baines is likewise well-received, eliciting quite a few laughs herself. The range of Lorraine that Berube portrays, from Marty’s mother at the top of the show to young Lorraine, to finale Lorraine, is very impressive, and I enjoyed the strong choices made to differentiate the character over time. Berube is dynamic and fun to watch, and her scenes as young Lorraine opposite Hallauer are hilarious.
Stepping into the shoes of classic bad guy, Biff Tannen, is Nathaniel Hackmann. Hackmann has the swaggering, not-so-bright character down to a science, and each and every moment that he is onstage is enjoyable. From the theatrical stage fights to the memorable moments with George McFly pulled right from the silver screen, Hackmann serves up a wonderful performance from start to finish. At his side are Fisher Lane Stewart as Slick and Zachary Bigelow as 3D, both of whom are standouts with their fun physical choices and backup vocals on Biff’s songs. Stewart also does great work doubling as Dave McFly. Rounding out the McFly family is the hilarious Katie LaDuca as Linda, with LaDuca also stepping into the shoes of Stella Baines. Luke Anthony Neville not only plays Sam Baines, but also takes on Mayor Red Thomas, Lou Carruthers, and, an audience favorite, Principal Strickland. Neville’s first entrance with that bullhorn has the audience cracking up, and his performance only continues to get better from there.
One of my favorite performances of the night was that of Cartreze Tucker as Goldie Wilson, with Tucker also playing Marvin Berry. Tucker’s performance bursts with an infectious joy, his vocals soaring and shining on the complex riffs and runs. Backing up Tucker as fellow Starlighters are Joshua Blackswan Abbott and Dwayne P. Mitchell (assistant dance captain and fight captain). I also enjoyed Sophia Yacap as Marty’s girlfriend, Jennifer Parker. She is endearing in the role and holds her own vocally opposite Hallauer.
Completing the company are ensemble members Tade Biesinger, Ina Black, Luther Brooks IV, Alyssa Carol, Jenny Dalrymple, and Giovanna Martinez. Martinez and Carol are featured as Betty and Babs, with Dalrymple in the humorous role of Clocktower Woman. Emily Applebaum, Brittany Bohn (dance captain), Steven Eckloff, Samuel Gerber, and Ross Thompson serve as swings for the production.
Mike Bindeman nails the role of George McFly, from the particular physicality to the recognizable laugh. His performance earned many laughs throughout the night, and it’s great fun to watch his transformation over the course of the show. He received multiple rounds of well–earned applause mid-scene. Zan Berube’s Lorraine Baines is likewise well-received, eliciting quite a few laughs herself. The range of Lorraine that Berube portrays, from Marty’s mother at the top of the show to young Lorraine, to finale Lorraine, is very impressive, and I enjoyed the strong choices made to differentiate the character over time. Berube is dynamic and fun to watch, and her scenes as young Lorraine opposite Hallauer are hilarious.
Stepping into the shoes of classic bad guy, Biff Tannen, is Nathaniel Hackmann. Hackmann has the swaggering, not-so-bright character down to a science, and each and every moment that he is onstage is enjoyable. From the theatrical stage fights to the memorable moments with George McFly pulled right from the silver screen, Hackmann serves up a wonderful performance from start to finish. At his side are Fisher Lane Stewart as Slick and Zachary Bigelow as 3D, both of whom are standouts with their fun physical choices and backup vocals on Biff’s songs. Stewart also does great work doubling as Dave McFly. Rounding out the McFly family is the hilarious Katie LaDuca as Linda, with LaDuca also stepping into the shoes of Stella Baines. Luke Anthony Neville not only plays Sam Baines, but also takes on Mayor Red Thomas, Lou Carruthers, and, an audience favorite, Principal Strickland. Neville’s first entrance with that bullhorn has the audience cracking up, and his performance only continues to get better from there.
One of my favorite performances of the night was that of Cartreze Tucker as Goldie Wilson, with Tucker also playing Marvin Berry. Tucker’s performance bursts with an infectious joy, his vocals soaring and shining on the complex riffs and runs. Backing up Tucker as fellow Starlighters are Joshua Blackswan Abbott and Dwayne P. Mitchell (assistant dance captain and fight captain). I also enjoyed Sophia Yacap as Marty’s girlfriend, Jennifer Parker. She is endearing in the role and holds her own vocally opposite Hallauer.
Completing the company are ensemble members Tade Biesinger, Ina Black, Luther Brooks IV, Alyssa Carol, Jenny Dalrymple, and Giovanna Martinez. Martinez and Carol are featured as Betty and Babs, with Dalrymple in the humorous role of Clocktower Woman. Emily Applebaum, Brittany Bohn (dance captain), Steven Eckloff, Samuel Gerber, and Ross Thompson serve as swings for the production.
Don Stephenson (Doc Brown) in the national tour of Back to the Future: The Musical, 2024 (Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
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Zan Berube (Lorraine Baines), Mike Bindeman (George McFly), Lucas Hallauer (Marty McFly) and the company of the national tour of Back to the Future: The Musical, 2025 (McLeod9 Creative)
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Scenic and costume design by Tim Hatley are excellent, evoking the world of the film while also adapting it into a style fit for the stage. Wig, hair, and makeup design by Campbell Young Associates is well done, building upon the costume work to fully establish the appearance of each character. Video design by Finn Ross and illusion design by Chris Fisher combine with the masterful scenic work to create the incredibly impressive world of the show. Where scenic elements end, video and illusion work hand in hand to seamlessly tell the story, bringing the speeding, flying Delorean to life before your very eyes.
Lighting designers Tim Lutkin and Hugh Vanstone elevate the show to a rock concert and visual spectacle as the story calls for it, wielding light, color, strobes, LED strips and more to create a truly impressive lighting design. Sound design by Gareth Owen is strong, though there were times when the house balance made it a bit difficult to distinguish all of what the performers were singing when the band really kicked up.
Lighting designers Tim Lutkin and Hugh Vanstone elevate the show to a rock concert and visual spectacle as the story calls for it, wielding light, color, strobes, LED strips and more to create a truly impressive lighting design. Sound design by Gareth Owen is strong, though there were times when the house balance made it a bit difficult to distinguish all of what the performers were singing when the band really kicked up.
Cartreze Tucker (Goldie Wilson) and the company of the national tour of Back to the Future: The Musical, 2024 (Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
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Lucas Hallauer (Marty McFly) and the company of the national tour of Back to the Future: The Musical, 2025 (McLeod9 Creative)
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The national tour of Back to the Future is only in town for a few days, but I highly recommend catching it while it is here. Don’t miss your chance to experience 1.21 gigawatts of musical theatre magic! Grab your ticket to Back to the Future before they make like a tree and get out of here!
Back to the Future plays June 4-8, 2025, at the Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets at bushnell.org or by calling the Box Office at (860) 987-5900. Learn more about the show and catch the tour later on their route at backtothefuturemusical.com/northamerica/.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
Back to the Future plays June 4-8, 2025, at the Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets at bushnell.org or by calling the Box Office at (860) 987-5900. Learn more about the show and catch the tour later on their route at backtothefuturemusical.com/northamerica/.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.