RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
Actor Cartreze Tucker (he/they) has been living in the past—specifically, the year 1955 playing the dual roles of Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry in the national tour of Back to the Future: The Musical. For the actor, the roles serve a purpose even if it’s just to him and maybe some members of the audience. But also, being cast in this show seems almost fortuitous for the progressive actor.
“I saw the movie as a child and even rode the Back to the Future ride,” he said by phone. “So it’s been in my life.”
Seeing the musical in London solidified his interest. He was transfixed but also wasn’t confident there could be a role for him. Two years later and countless performances later, his characters are now second nature.
“I can virtually do this in a coma,” he joked.
Back to the Future: The Musical opens Tuesday, March 24 at Bass Hall.
Based on the iconic film starring Michael J. Fox, Tucker is able to infuse his own take on these two characters: Goldie, a diner worker who runs for mayor and Marvin Berry, the cousin of music legend Chuck Berry.
As a queer-identifying actor, Tucker wanted to give his characters a bit more of that rainbow zest – particularly one. His take on Marvin Berry, in particular, was built on an icon of flamboyant performance.
“They gave creatives free reign. So I channeled some of that Little Richard-esque energy, and the team loved it,” he said. “If I can, I will to make my characters gay.”
He also admitted he will go a little harder when he sees a gay boy in the audience to add a certain affirmation. Tucker isn’t queer-coding his characters per se, but instead he adds some sensibilities to the vocabulary of a show – particularly like Back to the Future, because…
“There’s nothing gay about this show otherwise and this isn’t inherently a Black story,” he said. “But if I see that kid, especially if they are Black and they see me as affirming and applauded for being loud and flamboyant, then that’s the story I work to give them.”
Back to the Future: The Musical runs March 24-29. For tickets, visit BassHall.com.