Today’s breaking development: a feature documentary on the making of the stage adaptation of back to the future movie premieres March 24 (ET), led by director Brian Stillman and produced by Nacelle. The film gathers interviews with the original film’s star Michael J. Fox, director Robert Zemeckis, co-writer/co-producer Bob Gale and key members of the Broadway cast to explain how the show moved from screen to stage. The premiere lands as the musical continues touring and staging international productions, heightening interest in the project.
Back To The Future Movie on Stage and Screen
The documentary, A Future on Stage, is directed by Brian Stillman and produced in partnership with Bob Gale and Nacelle; Brian Volk-Weiss, Bob Gale, Cisco Henson and Brian Stillman are listed as executive producers. The film includes interviews with Michael J. Fox and Robert Zemeckis, as well as Broadway cast members Casey Likes, Roger Bart, Liana Hunt, Jelani Remy, Nathaniel Hackmann, Mikaela Secada and Merrit David Janes. Producer Colin Ingram, director John Rando and production designer Tim Hatley also appear to describe the stage adaptation process.
Back to the Future: The Musical features original music by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard alongside songs used in the film such as “The Power of Love, ” “Johnny B. Goode, ” “Earth Angel” and “Back in Time. ” The West End production won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical; the Broadway staging received two Tony Award nominations for scenic design and for featured actor Roger Bart. The stage show completed a five-year West End run and is touring the United States, with productions in Tokyo and Hamburg and future stops planned for Edinburgh, Paris and other cities.
Immediate reactions from creators and performers
Bob Gale, Co-Writer and Co-Producer of Back to the Future, framed the musical’s arc plainly: “Having Back to the Future the Musical playing to sold out houses around the world is a future I never could have predicted. ” Gale described the musical adaptation as an even tougher lift than getting the original movie made, and the documentary captures those challenges.
From the touring company, Actor Cartreze Tucker (he/they), performing in the national tour’s double roles of Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry, reflected on his connection to the material: “I saw the movie as a child and even rode the Back to the Future ride. ” Tucker said seeing the London staging inspired him and that the roles have become second nature: “I can virtually do this in a coma. ” He added that creatives on the tour were given freedom to shape character choices and that he channels high-energy influences into his performances.
Expanding details: production credits and scope
Director Stillman’s previous documentary credits include projects about collectible and fan cultures, and he contributed to multiple franchise-focused documentary series. For the musical, the adaptation was created by the original film authors Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, with a multi-award-winning creative team on design, choreography and technical effects. The documentary’s interview roster and executive producers underline a close collaboration between the film’s original creators and the stage production team.
What’s next — screenings, tour moves and audience follow-up
The documentary premieres March 24 (ET) on multiple streaming platforms, broadening access to the making-of story as the stage musical maintains momentum on tour and in international productions. The touring company engagements and planned international stops mean observers should expect further casting and production announcements tied to touring dates and regional stagings. For the national tour, one immediate stop included a run opening March 24 at Bass Hall, with that engagement running through March 29.
As the documentary reaches audiences and the stage productions continue, creators and cast members say they will keep documenting the show’s technical, musical and cultural adjustments — and the back to the future movie arc from screen classic to global stage phenomenon will remain central to forthcoming updates.
