An Exclusive from INSIDE Magazine
Lucas Hallauer is a self-declared “theater kid” portraying Marty McFly in Back to the Future: The Musical as he and the famed time-traveling DeLorean land at Straz Center April 29-May 4. We didn’t ask what he’d feed the Flux Capacitor, but we did inquire what was in his fridge and a few other things so we could learn more about this young man whose future appears to have arrived.
How did you get started in the business?
I grew up dancing and doing theater in Virginia Beach, Va., and went to a performing arts high school in Norfolk called the Governor’s School for the Arts. I graduated Coastal Carolina University with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre in 2023 and moved to the city to pursue my career in theater. I’ve been so lucky to have so much success so far and I’m so grateful.
What’s always in your refrigerator?
The one thing that’s always in there is my water bottle. I really like my water to be freezing cold, so I will stick that water bottle in there until it gets cold enough.
What is your worst quality?
I would say I struggle most with time management. I can convince myself a 30-minute task will only take me five minutes and it’s just not true. I get myself into trouble sometimes with that one.
What music is on your playlist?
Lots of conflicting vibes going on with my playlist; I’ve been loving Chappell Roan, Mac Miller, Noah Kahan and a couple different Broadway cast recordings recently.
Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pine or Chris Pratt?
I’d definitely say Chris Evans. I’m a Captain America fan for sure, but just for the record, my favorite Avenger is Hawkeye.
Read any good books lately?
Most recently, I read “The Song of Achilles” for the second time which is a book I really love and makes me cry like a baby.
Cat or dog person?
I’d say I’m definitely a dog person, but my family had both when I was growing up. One of our cats was mean to us though so I think that gave me some unresolved trauma.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
I think my parents instilled a work ethic and sense of determination in me from such a young age, and it was so important for me to see how they truly believed that my dreams could become reality.
What “guilty pleasure” show are you streaming?
As a theater kid who loves reality TV, it’s definitely “Dance Moms” for me. I could watch multiple episodes in a row and be fully invested.
In the movie version of your life, who would play you?
People often tell me I look like Joe Keery or Steve from Stranger Things. So, I think if he was available, he would be my first pick. But I think any script you give to Andrew Garfield turns to gold, so he’s in the running too.
Who or what inspires you?
Michael J. Fox is obviously a huge inspiration of mine in regard to this project. He’s got such a specific charming quality in the film and I think trying to capture that for the stage is the goal of everyone in the company.
What do you consider your greatest successes – personally and professionally?
My greatest success personally would probably be building a really amazing support system around myself. Whether that be family, friends from college, people I met on other contracts or friends that I’ve reconnected with from my childhood.
If you hadn’t chosen this career, what career path do you think you’d have followed?
It was always theater for me — almost to a fault. But I do think it would have been cool to be a forensic scientist or crime scene investigator or something cool like that.
Back to the Future is in Morsani Hall April 29-May 4. For tickets, click here.