Casey Likes Loves Driving that DeLorean 'Back to the Future'

It isn't often an actor gets to play two lead roles during the same season, but that's been the opportunity given 21-year-old Casey Likes. Last November he starred in the musical version of "Almost Famous," which didn't catch on with audiences and closed after a short run over the holidays.

But while the musical may not have been welcome to Broadway, Likes was, receiving some terrific reviews. The Guardian called him
a "standout newcomer". And the Hollywood Reporter wrote: "As the eyes through which we see the entire story, William is all-important and newcomer Casey Likes makes a hugely appealing guide. He balances the cockiness required to get a foot in the stadium door with the humility of an inexperienced kid who can barely believe he's living his dream. At least until it sours. He's also a strong singer, with a surprisingly big, versatile voice adaptable to a range of styles."

It didn't take long for Likes to land another lead – that of Marty McFly in the Broadway production of "Back to the Future," currently in previews with an opening slated for August 3. McFly was the role made famous by Michael J. Fox in the classic 1985 comedy "Back to the Future." In the film, McFly drives a DeLorean, created by scientist Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown, accidentally time-travels him back to 1985, where he has to make sure his parents marry in order to save his own existence.

The musical has music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard and a book by Bob Gale (who co-wrote the film's script with the film's director Robert Zemeckis). It opened in London in 2021, winning the Olivier Award for Best Musical in 2022.

Likes spoke to EDGE about how he got his show business start, his relationship with Roger Bart, who plays Dr. Brown, and what it is like to drive that DeLorean.

EDGE: Can you tell us a little bit about how you got started performing?

Casey Likes: At three years old, I was kind of a baller. I was doing better then than I am now, honestly. My mom took me to a local agent of Arizona, she met me, and then I quickly booked my first few commercials for Goodwill, then Subway, then Goodwill again. And then, for five years, I did a yearly production of "A Christmas Carol" as Tiny Tim, opposite my mom as Mrs. Cratchit.

EDGE: Before auditioning for the show, were you a fan of the "Back to the Future" films?

Casey Likes: Yes, big time. I'm glad I was, too, because to get the musical right, I think you have to be a fan of the source material. Also, growing up, my mom would compare me to Michael J. Fox, so I grew up looking up to him.

EDGE: What is it like to play the Marty McFly on stage?

Casey Likes: It's like carrying weights while running a marathon, but everyone is loudly cheering you on the whole way. It's a blast, and I'm inspired by the people in the room, the very first chord of music, and the story. It makes the "heavy" parts (pun intended), like being in all but one scene and portraying one of the most iconic characters of all time, a lot less "heavy." It motivates me.

EDGE: How much of Marty's character is based on Michael J. Fox's portrayal in the film?

Casey Likes: I don't think Marty would be the iconic character he is without Michael J. Fox's portrayal. However, I'm not Michael, so inherently it's going to be a little different. I see my job as reminding audiences of Michael's brilliance, showing them that I respect that performance, gaining their trust, and then asking them to go on the ride with my version of Marty.

EDGE: The relationship between Marty and Doc is going to be the key to success. How did you, and Roger Bart, who plays Doc, build up that relationship?

Casey Likes: Roger and I, along with our director, John Rando, have extensively worked through every beat in this show. It's all about their love for each other, Doc and Marty. It's all about the stakes of their situation. Really, most of my discussions with Roger, when I'm not picking his brain about his amazing career, is about understanding those key things. It makes the jokes funnier, the suspense higher, and the emotional beats hit harder.

EDGE: What can you tell us about the musical numbers, and do you have a favorite?

Casey Likes: Well, I can tell that it's written by two people. Glen Ballard, who wrote "Jagged Little Pill" and "Man in the Mirror," and Alan Silvestri, who wrote the score to the movie itself. So, it's accurate to the movie, it sounds like the movie, and it has extremely accurate sounding music to the vibe of the different decades, which are also bops, if I must say.

EDGE: If you could play any other character in the show, who would it be and why?

Casey Likes: Someday, Doc Brown for sure. That would be full circle. He gets a lot of room to play, and I'm sure that would be an amazing time.

EDGE: Without any spoilers, what can you tell us about the time-traveling DeLorean?

Casey Likes: I can tell you that everything you know and love about the movie is on stage.

EDGE: If you could go travel back in time, where would you go?

Casey Likes: Probably to see my mom perform when she was my age in New York. That would be wild, and so special.

EDGE: What's one thing you want our readers to know about "Back to the Future" on Broadway?

Casey Likes: It's a big show. There's so much to look at. It's a show you want to see multiple times. The Easter Eggs, the illusions, the ever-changing improvisation between Roger and I, etc. it's a ride. I'm very lucky to be a part of it.

For more information on "Back to the Future" on Broadway, follow this link.