FORWARD TO THE PAST: 1985 HIT FILM HEADING FOR THE STAGE

Time was when hit musicals produced for the stage eventually wound up on movie screens. These days the migration often is reversed. Britain’s Guardian newspaper reported today (Friday) that Back to the Future, the 1985 hit movie that starred Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, will come to London’s West End next year, marking the film’s 30th anniversary. Several of those involved in the original film production are reuniting for the musical, the Guardian reported, including director Robert Zemeckis, co-writer Bob Gale, and composer Alan Silvestri. For the West End production, they are also bringing on board British producer Colin Ingram and director Jamie Lloyd. “We met Brits, and we met Americans, but we decided on the Brits,” said Gale, “because they’re seeing our material through slightly different cultural eyes.” Gale indicated that the musical will not simply be transposing the movie onto the stage. “It’s a different version of the same story,” he said.