QuaranTune #31: "The Power of Love" from Back to the Future: The Musical

A show tune a day keeps the quarantine blues at bay...

In many of our daily #QuaranTunes we've lovingly looked back on musical gems of the past, but today it's time to look back to the future (see what we did there?) and showcase the cast of the world premiere production of Back to the Future: The Musical.

The stage adapation of the popular 1985 Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film celebrated its world premiere on February 20, 2020 at the Manchester Opera House in the UK. And although the limited engagement was interrupted on March 16 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, a West End transfer has long been rumored. If a successful London premiere does indeed come to fruition, could Broadway be the next stop for Marty McFly and co.?

Directed by John Rando, the musical features a book by Bob Gale, new music and lyrics by Emmy & Grammy Award winner Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award winner Glen Ballard, alongside additional songs from the film. One of those epochal tracks from the movie is "The Power of Love," which serves as the musical's 11 o'clock number. It was written by Huey Lewis and the News in 1985 (specifically for the film) and it became the band's first #1 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Led by Olly Dobson (who originated the iconic role of Marty McFly), the world premiere cast reunited virtually to perform the song on Tony Award nominee Josh Gad's YouTube channel as part of his 'Reunited Apart' series. The video ends with a heartfelt message from Tony Award winner Roger Bart (who originated the equally iconic role of Doc Brown in the musical), expressing gratitude for all the frontline workers across the globe on behalf of the entire cast.

It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes. But it might just save your life. That's the power of love.
(Marty McFly, Back to the Future - The Musical)

^{(Photo by Sean Ebsworth Barnes)}