Photos provided by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

The 1950s met the 1980s when “Back To The Future” crossed the space time continuum at the Cadillac Palace Theatre for an exhilarating opening night, which started with fans flocking around a replica of the DeLorean parked just outside the flashing marquee.

Upon taking their seats, the time machine itself rolled into view as Caden Brauch and Don Stephenson respectively transformed into typical rock and roll-loving teenager Marty McFly and the eccentric yet ingenious Doc Brown, impeccably carrying taking the baton from the movie’s iconic actors Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd.

Having veteran lead producer Colin Ingram, plus original trilogy creators Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, behind the musical adaptation ensured it was handled with the proper care and made it all the more authentic as it translated to today’s audiences.

Those who knew the screen version well could certainly spot some changes for the stage, but if anything, they improved upon the premise without altering any of the essential elements, including Marty accidentally getting transported to 1955 and getting assigned the mission of making his high school-aged parents fall in love so he could even be born in the first place.

Naturally, when he arrives in the past, nothing looks like 1985, such as the more reserved fashions, softer music and extremely limited technological advances, making it especially hilarious when the unsuspecting traveler attempts to fit in and fails miserably.

Along the way, there are bullies, a pain in the butt principal and the super squirmy fact that his future mom seems to have the hots for him, meaning Marty has to work extra hard to toughen up his nerdy dad and become their matchmaker for the school dance.

But as the old Huey Lewis & The News adage goes, that’s “The Power Of Love,” which couldn’t have come at a more precise moment considering every second of the ticking clock is vital in transporting Marty “Back To The Future.”

In addition to centerpiece track and other soundtrack standouts “Earth Angel,” “Johnny B. Goode” and “Back In Time,” several entirely new tunes come courtesy of Emmy/Grammy Award-winner Alan Silvestri and fellow Grammy regular Glen Ballard.

The special effects are also just as much stars of the superb show, whether it’s the almost instantaneous ability to switch between eras, the virtual reality-styled screens or the fantastic flying car finale as a fitting representation of how it feels to leave feeling like the sky is the limit.

“Back To The Future” continues at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through Sunday, September 1. For additional details, visit BackToTheFutureMusical.com and BroadwayInChicago.com.

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