Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
A pop culture trip down memory lane, Back to the 80’s tells the story of Corey Palmer and his senior year of high school: his best friends, the class bully, and the girl he loves. In the present day, Corey takes us back to William Ocean High School, watching himself and his friends Kirk and Alf start their bid to be senior class president and vice-presidents, only to have the opportunity stolen by bully Michael Feldman. To make Corey’s life worse, Michael has also stolen away Tiffany Houston, Corey’s longtime crush. But this isn’t the only relationship on the rocks: teachers Mr. Cocker and Ms. Brannigan are fighting in their not-so-secret romance, Michael is posing as new girl Eileen’s mysterious secret admirer, and Tiffany’s friend Cyndi doesn’t want to give admirer Billy the time of day. Add in a charity concert for Africa, a Star Wars-inspired dream sequence, and a final showdown between Michael and class geek Feargal McFerrin, and Back to the 80’s is a non-stop collection of music, movie, and TV Easter Eggs for all ages. The jukebox score includes a wide variety of popular hits such as “Video Killed the Radio Star,” “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” “Love Shack,” “Footloose,” and “The Time of My Life.”
Show Information
- Book
- Neil Gooding
- Conceived By
- Neil Gooding
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2004
- Genres
- Comedy, Jukebox/Revue
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- 1980s high school
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, High School, Large Cast, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Adult Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone |
Songs
Act One
*Wake Me Up Before You Go Go - Featured Singers, Company
*Kids in America - Featured Singers, Company
*Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Tiffany, Cyndi, Mel, Kim, Female Student Ensemble
*Footloose - Michael, Billy, Huey, Lionel, Feargal, Corey Jr., Alf, Kirk, Male Student Ensemble
Mickey - Tiffany, Cyndi, Mel, Kim
Michael’s Election Rap - Michael
Video Killed the Radio Star - Feargal, Laura, Debbie
Believe It or Not - Corey Jr.
Let’s Hear It for the Boy - Laura, Debbie, Eileen
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) - Michael, Corey Jr.
You Give Love a Bad Name - Corey Sr.
You Give Love a Bad Name (Reprise) - Mr. Cocker
Man in the Mirror - Mr. Cocker, Miss Brannigan, Student Ensemble
Act Two
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now - Featured Singers, Student Ensemble
*Love Shack - Corey Jr., Lionel, Student Ensemble
Total Eclipse of the Heart, Corey Jr., Miss Brannigan
Walking on Sunshine - Eileen, Laura, Debbie
Get Outta My Dreams (Get Into My Car) - Michael, Tiffany, Student Ensemble
Centerfold - Mr. Cocker, Student Ensemble
Lost in Your Eyes - Tiffany, Eileen
Never Gonna Give You Up - Billy, Featured Back-up Singers
Material Girl - Cyndi, Featured Back-up Singers
Don’t Worry, Be Happy/Come On, Eileen - Corey Jr., Alf, Kirk
Wake Me Up Before You Go Go (Reprise) - Featured Singer
*(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life - Corey Jr., Tiffany, Miss Brannigan, Mr. Cocker, Feargal, Eileen, Student Ensemble
Back to the 80’s Megamix - Full Ensemble
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress