Back to the Future Musical: Germany Premiere in Hamburg | DeLorean & Cast

Hamburg, Germany – The iconic DeLorean time machine took center stage Friday night at the Stage Operettenhaus in Hamburg, as the musical adaptation of “Back to the Future” celebrated its German premiere. The production, already a success on Broadway and London’s West End, drew a crowd of celebrities including actress Florence Kasumba, radio host Peter Urban, and musicians Smudo and Thomas D.

The musical closely follows the plot of the 1985 film, centering on teenager Marty McFly, played by Raphael Groß, and his accidental journey to 1955 via a time machine invented by the eccentric Dr. Emmett Brown, portrayed by Jan Kersjes. Marty’s mission to ensure his parents fall in love to secure his own existence forms the core of the narrative.

The DeLorean itself is a central character in the production, costing Stage Entertainment €450,000 to create a near-original replica. According to reports, the vehicle features blinking lights, smoke effects, 360-degree rotation, and the illusion of high-speed travel across the stage, eliciting spontaneous applause from the audience, particularly during scenes referencing the “flux capacitor.”

Bob Gale, co-author of the original film trilogy, penned the musical’s script. The stage adaptation incorporates latest songs composed by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, alongside the film’s beloved hits such as “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis & The News, “Earth Angel” by Marvin Berry & The Starlighters, and “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry.

Raphael Groß, who plays Marty McFly, recently stated he aimed to “cite” rather than imitate Michael J. Fox’s iconic performance, according to reports.

The musical culminates with McFly and Brown embarking on a new adventure into the future, delivering the famous line, “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” Modern stage technology allows the DeLorean to appear to soar above the audience during this final scene.

The DeLorean time machine was first revealed by Doc Brown to Marty McFly at Twin Pines Mall on October 26, 1985, with the initial test involving sending Doc’s dog, Einstein, one minute into the future, as documented in the Back to the Future Fandom wiki.